Spring is an exciting time of year – things are growing and temperatures are warming up! It lets us know that Summer is just ahead.
That means that your HVAC equipment will need a little attention before it starts working so hard in the hot temps. Manufacturers recommend routine Spring maintenance by a professional before every cooling season. Not only is it best for your system, it also keeps your warranty intact. Not to mention, if your system is operating at its best ability, that means it is running as efficiently as possible – which equals savings on your utility bills. A professional HVAC tech should come to your home to test, inspect, and clean your system. They will ensure that your system is prepared for its workload ahead. This includes checking connections, hoses, coils, and more.
Remember that a big part of this maintenance appointment is intended to keep your system from having a larger issue later on. Identifying a very small issue now is much better than the problem getting worse and costing you a lot in repair costs at a later date. Regular maintenance of your HVAC system prolongs its lifespan and protects your investment.
Here are some things that you can do to prepare for your Spring HVAC visit:n
1. Ensure all outdoor debris is cleared out and away from your condenser unit Between the fall and winter months, it’s common for yard waste and other things to collect around your outdoor unit. We might not notice these things as much during this time of year since we are out in the yard less. Make an effort to clear out anything that is blocking airflow to your condenser unit. We also advise our customers to try to make this a habit and part of your yard work routine. Try to incorporate checking this into another thing you do regularly. Maybe your trash cans are near your outdoor unit – so check them on the way to take the trash out. Or maybe you regularly trim around the unit when you’re mowing grass. Whatever works for you – work it into your routine.
2. Plan your landscaping around your unit
There should be a minimum of 2-3 feet around your outdoor unit. This ensures that the equipment has proper airflow. If anything is restricting airflow – it can cause your system to work harder than necessary to produce cool air. We like to make the comparison to something being caught in your throat. You might have a little catch – you can still breathe, but its uncomfortable. You have to work harder than usual to cough or breathe. It’s the same scenario for your HVAC system. Restricted airflow is a bad thing and causes a lot of issues for your system.
3. Get to know where all the equipment is located It’s recommended for homeowners (and renters!) to know where their HVAC equipment components are located. You should know exactly where your outdoor unit, furnace, thermostat, duct work, and registers are. Before your appointment, go around and ensure that nothing is blocking access to any of these items. This will also speed up your technician’s visit. Of course if you need help moving things, let us know and we’d be happy to help.
4. Check for leaks in duct work or seals This might also be a good time of year to check for leaks in your duct work or seals around doors and windows. The easiest way to do this is to light an incense stick and wave it slowly around these areas to see if any air is escaping. If the smoke of the incense stick is abruptly interrupted, it will indicate that there might be a leak. This can lower your efficiency and also cause your system to work harder than necessary to properly cool your home.
5. Consider your upgrade options If you’ve been thinking about getting a wi-fi thermostat you can control from your phone, or maybe adding an air purifier or dehumidifier, it’s a good idea to talk to us before your appointment. If we know ahead of time that you might be interested in adding these things, we may have them in stock and can have them on the truck for your appointment. This will save an additional trip for your tech.
6. Think about upgrading to the Planned Maintenance Agreement for further perks
A list of all the additional perks of being a PMA customer can be found on our HVAC Maintenance page. The downloadable pdf towards the bottom of the page will detail all of the benefits of becoming a PMA customer. Here are a few: 15% discount on repair service, Priority Customer & Inflation Protection.
7. Scheduling your appointment You can schedule your Spring HVAC Maintenance online conveniently with our online HVAC scheduling system. You choose times that work for you and your schedule, and we will do the rest. You can schedule your maintenance appointment anytime! If you have any questions or want more information on HVAC maintenance, reach out to us anytime on Facebook, IG, LinkedIn, through our website, or give us a call at 937-439-4696.
