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When things start to renew in the spring, it’s also a great time to help your HVAC system become refreshed. At Black-Haak, we always suggest that homeowners make the upkeep of their HVAC system part of the spring-cleaning process. Routine maintenance at least once per year will ensure that your HVAC is running at its best and that there are no surprises come summer. Some tasks you can do yourself, but there are also some processes that are best left to professionals. In this guide, we’re going to cover both.
HVAC Spring Checklist: Things You Can Do
Not every HVAC maintenance process needs a licensed professional. There are multiple things you can do to ensure the proper functionality of your HVAC system. As the weather warms up, roll some of these processes into your spring cleaning. This will help your system be ready for the warmer months, and the simple upkeep processes you start today will help your system run optimally all the way up to next spring.
Clean Up Your Air Vents and Circulate the Air
As long as they are in safe and easy-to-reach locations, we suggest you dust and clean your air vents in the spring. This is an entirely external process; there’s no need to remove the vent covers. Just use a duster to clear away any excess dust bunnies that may accumulate on the outside of your vents. You can also use a vacuum cleaner on low to suck up any dust trapped in the vents themselves.
Clean or Replace Your Air Filters
The air filter in your heating and cooling system is critical to ensure that it isn’t recirculating dust and debris. The filter is a physical barrier to trap dirt and dust. Dirty air filters lead to frozen evaporator coils, poor airflow, strained mechanical components, and higher utility bills. The key to changing an HVAC air filter is to wait until the HVAC cycles off and locate the old filter, which is usually at the large return air vent. Simply remove the cover and swap out the filter.
In most cases, you’ll want to change your air filter every 60 to 90 days. If you have pets, live in a particularly dusty area, or people in the home have respiratory issues, you may need to change it more often. In the spring, you can add cleaning the area around the filter with a damp rag.
Depending on your system, your filter might even be washable. If this is the case, simply use some mild soap and water to clean the filter screen itself. Let the filter dry and replace it inside your HVAC. Check the manufacturer’s directions to see how often you should replace a reusable filter.
Clean Around the Condenser Unit
This part of the checklist is vital because when dirt, dust, and debris, bog down the area around them, HVAC systems work harder. This process is simple; just clear away anything in the HVAC system’s general area so that airflow isn’t interrupted. During the winter season, there’s a lot that can make its way to the area around your outdoor condenser unit.
First, remove any debris that makes its way to the area around the condenser. This will protect the airflow that the condenser needs to operate efficiently. Some common pieces of debris that could cause your condenser problems are dead and alive insects, mold, leaves, twigs, cottonwood fluff (seeds), and pollen.
If you have a shop vac, consider running it along the outside of your condenser unit to ensure that there are no pieces of debris that could impede its operation. It’s also a good idea to clear away excess plants that may have sprung up in the area and trim bushes and trees near the unit.
Clean Dirty Surfaces Around the Home
While you might not consider cleaning dirty surfaces part of an HVAC checklist, it’s actually a critical step. Over the winter, materials like pet dander, dust mites, smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and mold and mildew can accumulate on various surfaces. When a little of this coats surfaces, it easily finds its way into your HVAC, where it circulates around the home.
Tackle those surfaces, and microorganisms will have no place to grow. This helps keep your indoor air quality high in the summer. We also suggest replacing any old or damaged seals around windows and doors so that outdoor allergens won’t find an easy way in.
HVAC Spring Checklist: Things We Can Do
For multiple HVAC maintenance procedures, we recommend getting a professional to do the job. At Black-Haak, we have knowledgeable technicians on staff who have decades of cumulative experience maintaining these systems. We’re also able to add components to improve indoor air quality, and we know how to address any issues that pop up so that your summertime is comfortable.
Check and Tighten Electrical Connections
With multiple moving components, an HVAC system sometimes experiences some loosened electrical connections. In the long run, this will affect the operation of the system and potentially pose a danger if it’s not addressed. One of the basic tasks our team at Black-Haak performs is to check the electrical connections of your HVAC system. This protects your family’s safety and keeps your system running optimally during the year.
Clean and Lubricate Components
Even with a good air filter, dirt and grime can enter your HVAC system. During a tune-up, our technicians inspect, clean, tighten, and lubricate the components. This helps the system run more efficiently and last longer.
Upgrade Your System
HVAC is an industry that’s constantly evolving. For example, thermostats have become more efficient and have incorporated smart features. When we come for a maintenance session, we’ll let you know about HVAC upgrades that will make your home more comfortable.
Some of these upgrades include:
- Whole-home air purifiers
- Whole-home humidifiers
- Whole-home dehumidifiers
- Air ionizers
- Ductwork upgrades
Check and Clean the HVAC Drain Line
Mold and mildew are major contributors to poor indoor air quality, and one place these can form is at the end of the drain line. This is because if a clog forms in the winter, the system will hold water, which is ideal for mold, bacteria, and mildew since these thrive in dark, damp environments.
Additionally, with clogs, the condensate pan will overflow, causing leaks within your home, which almost always leads to damage. This is one of the prime parts of the system our team will check, and if there’s a clog, we’ll clear it away so that excess water isn’t trapped.
Working Through an HVAC Checklist Will Keep Your System Running for Years
When you incorporate these best practices into your yearly spring cleaning, your HVAC system will have the upkeep it needs for a long lifespan. Couple this with upgrades that help your HVAC perform efficiently, and you’ll find these to be money-saving as well. Ask us about our maintenance programs for homes like yours!
At Black-Haak, we’ve been a part of the Fox Valley, WI community for almost 70 years. Give us a call today, and we’ll schedule a spring maintenance session for your HVAC system!
