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6 Ways to Prepare Your HVAC Unit for Spring

Is your HVAC unit ready for warmer weather? You don’t want to get caught without air conditioning when temperatures begin to climb. Prepare your HVAC unit for spring now with these professional tips.

1. Remove the AC Unit’s Condenser Cover

Did you cover your outdoor air conditioner condenser over the winter to protect it from dust, sand, or other debris? If so, make sure to remove the cover before turning on your air conditioner for the first time. While removing the cover, check for any vegetation growth that might have sprouted up around the unit, especially if the condenser is installed at ground level. Remove the debris to prevent impeding heat transfer within the condenser coils.

2. Give Registers and Vents a Good Cleaning

Vents and registers can clog from pet hair, dust, and other household debris. Before turning on your air conditioner at the start of the cooling season, give the vents and registers a thorough cleaning. Remove the covers and use your vacuum’s hose attachment to get rid of any dirt.

Protect your vents from dirt and debris by keeping your home dusted regularly. Also, keep the vents free of obstructions by ensuring the area around each vent is clear.

3. Schedule Duct Cleaning Service

Your home’s ductwork plays an important role in air distribution. Blocked ducts make it difficult to cool a house evenly. Impeded airflow also makes your air conditioner work harder, and the harder the AC system works to achieve your home’s indoor comfort needs, the more likely it is to wear out faster.

HVAC technicians recommend yearly duct cleaning services for large households, households with pets, and households where people smoke indoors. All other households might only need duct cleaning once every three years. If you can’t remember the last time you had your ductwork cleaned, schedule a cleaning before using your AC unit this spring.

4. Change Your HVAC’s Filter

Changing your filter regularly keeps your HVAC unit running at its best. This practice also keeps contaminants like dust, pet dander, mold spores, and other pollutants out of the air. Ideally, you want to change your filter every 30 days. However, many people forget this simple maintenance task.

If you forgot to change your HVAC unit’s air filter over the winter, do it now. Dust and debris accumulate more in your house over the winter because you tend to stay inside more often. Refer to your owner’s manual for the correct size and type. If you don’t have this information, give a local HVAC technician a call for professional guidance.

5. Test the Thermostat’s Batteries

You might assume your hard-wired thermostat doesn’t need regular battery checks, but it does. Dead thermostat batteries affect your HVAC unit’s performance and cause the thermostat not to run. At the beginning of spring, it’s a good idea to replace batteries whether you think they need replacement or not.

If you’ve thought about replacing your old thermostat with a smart programmable model, spring is a great time to make the switch. Smart thermostats with Wi-Fi connectivity make it easier to cool your home efficiently and reach your household’s desired comfort level using learning technology. Ask your trusted HVAC technician for more information about these state-of-the-art thermostats.

6. Give the HVAC Unit a Test Run

It’s always a good idea to make sure the cooling system works before you need it. Do this by letting the unit run for a few hours before the cooling season begins. Pay attention to strange sounds, smells, or problems like short cycling.

Short cycling, or frequent cycling, happens when the unit doesn’t complete a full cooling cycle. It switches on for a few minutes and turns off, repeating this process several times within an hour. Frequent cycles cause the unit to wear out faster and require more repairs. If you notice this problem or any other issue, call for HVAC repairs right away.

Schedule HVAC Maintenance Services

Some maintenance tasks, such as changing the filter and removing the condenser cover, you can do for yourself. Others, such as tightening and lubricating motor parts and checking refrigerant levels, require the expertise of qualified service technicians. In Palm Desert, you can rely on the NATE-certified experts at Breeze Air Conditioning. Our HVAC company delivers high-quality heating and cooling services, including installation, maintenance, and repair. We specialize in design, green technology, and improving indoor air quality. To learn more about springtime HVAC maintenance, contact us at Breeze Air Conditioning today.