Spring has arrived, but the weather is still being a tad moody. So back and forth it goes! You never know if you need to wear a sweatshirt one day or a t-shirt the next. For this reason, your residential HVAC system needs to be kept in the best condition possible. You want your furnace and air conditioning unit to function at their highest capacity. So how should homeowners prepare their HVAC systems for the spring season? Well, we’ve got it taken care of for you! You can follow the steps below from your locally trusted Hilliard-Dublin Heating & Air service professionals!
Have You Booked Your Spring Maintenance Check?
Preventative maintenance is key to a dependable HVAC system. Everything may be running fine with no issues. But you never know what underlying problems exist and, if neglected, can lead to much more extensive and costly problems. This is why we highly recommend keeping up with your seasonal maintenance checks. Another great reason to do this is to keep your warranty active. Per the manufacturer, maintaining the appropriate seasonal checks once a year for your heating and cooling systems each will maintain your warranty and keep it valid.
Have You Changed the Air Filter Out?
Air filters are an essential component in the residential HVAC system because their job is to trap and contain air pollutants and allergens. Unfortunately, with it being springtime, pollen and allergens are everywhere, and it is possible they can seep into your home by infiltrating the filters and clogging them up. Generally, it is recommended that air filters be changed every 1-2 months. However, we recommend checking your air filters more frequently during the spring and summer seasons. And if you haven’t yet changed your air filter in the past couple of months, you should change that air filter now to launch the season off with a fresh start.
Have You Changed the Thermostat’s Batteries?
Don’t forget about the thermostat! Unfortunately, thermostat batteries are often overlooked. So if you can’t remember the last time you changed your thermostat batteries, you may want to consider doing so now. Usually, when a thermostat’s batteries are low, the thermostat will notify you. Unfortunately, it is difficult to tell when this notification will occur or if you will even be at home at the time. So you may miss the notification altogether and come home to a hot and stuffy home after a long day at work or a lovely weekend away. Nip this problem in the bud by ensuring you have a fresh set of batteries installed!
Have You Cleaned the Drainage Hole?
Typically, air conditioning systems include a drainage hole located at the air conditioning system’s base. The drainage hole’s purpose is to redirect condensation away from the cooling system. Likely, the drainage hole might’ve gotten clogged with dust particles and other contaminants with your air conditioner not being utilized in the winter. So before you use your air conditioner this season, check to see if the drainage hole needs to be cleaned out; otherwise, you will be dealing with an unpleasant mess and backed-up condensation.
Have You Checked for Holes in the Ductwork?
Do you have any exposed ductwork within your home? If so, checking to ensure no holes, rips, or tears is an essential step in this preparation process. Your HVAC system will not be able to function correctly if there are air leaks in your ductwork. Therefore, you should perform a quick inspection, and should you find any areas that need repair, make sure they are sealed appropriately and as quickly as possible.
Have You Cleared the Area Around the Outdoor Unit?
Last, of all, let’s think about the unit located outside. If you have a protective covering on your condenser for the winter, you will want to make sure that it is removed before turning on your air conditioning system. In addition, you should also make sure the area around the condenser is free from any loose debris, leaf buildup, plant overgrowth, or any items that can obstruct access to the unit and its potential to function properly. When a condenser is on, it sucks in the surrounding air, so there must be nothing loose that can be sucked in and caught in the unit.
If you have any concerns with your HVAC system, or perhaps you need still need to schedule your spring maintenance check, Hilliard-Dublin Heating & Air would be more than glad to assist you! We are open 24/7, 365 days a year, so call us today at (614) 490-7520, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
