HVAC
Spring Cleaning: An Expert HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Spring cleaning is a great time to deal with HVAC issues. Even if you don’t think there’s a problem with your home’s system, it is wise to have a technician inspect it and see if anything is wrong. Likewise, you can deal with some basic maintenance on your own, such as swapping out accessible air filters. When you start planning spring cleaning, use this checklist to address the cleaning needs of your HVAC setup.

Thermostat Settings

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t regularly touch the thermostat over the winter, you should take a moment to check the settings once the weather improves. Most people want to run their heating systems less often during the spring, and it’s wise for them to set their home’s HVAC temp to a slightly lower temp. This is especially prudent if you start opening the doors and windows in your house. While the fresh air is nice, your parents were right when they said that you shouldn’t be paying to heat the outdoors.

Air Filtration

If a professional has shown you how to do this task, then you can handle it yourself. If no one ever has, then ask the technician who will do the annual inspection to show you.

Having a clean set of air filters in the HVAC makes a huge difference. Not only does it improve the air quality of your home, but it also improves the system’s efficiency. A new filter ensures that your HVAC will operate without strain by allowing better airflow. The heating system can get more oxygen, and that’s a big deal if you have a furnace or boiler. Even the air conditioning component can benefit because it won’t have to work as hard to push that same air through a clean filter.

Build-up and Debris

HVAC units can accumulate dirt and debris from many sources. Particularly if the system has a large exterior element, things like dead leaves and even blown dirt can collect on the surface. Also, birds, squirrels, and other animals may nest in components. All of this reduces the heat exchange efficiency with the outside air. Safely removing these obstructions is a cheap way to improve efficiency. If you’re unsure about how to do this, one of our technicians will be happy to show you during the inspection process. Just let them know beforehand that you’d like them to take a few minutes to show you.

Safety Systems

Modern HVAC units have numerous safety systems that reduce the risk of a catastrophic failure. These systems protect your family from everything from fire to asphyxiation. One of our qualified technicians will take the time to test the safety features annually.

Moving Parts

HVAC units often have moving parts, especially motors, that help circulate the air. These systems can wear out. Even if they’re not going to quit operating, they can be noisy and annoying if they’re not in good shape. In many instances, the solution is simply to lubricate them. There may be scenarios where the damage is extensive enough that you’ll need to hire a technician to replace failed components.

Accuracy

Spring cleaning is also an excellent time to assess the accuracy of the HVAC system. Thermal imaging units are becoming more available to the general public, and you can use them to check the air that’s coming out of the unit. It is also an opportunity to see what the air in the middle of each room is. If the readings don’t reflect the settings on the thermostat, then it might be time for some fine-tuning. While most people will tolerate inaccuracies of a couple of degrees, anything beyond that should lead you to call a technician.

Potential Upgrades

The start of warmer weather is also an excellent time to consider possible upgrades to your home’s HVAC system. Getting the ball rolling now ensures that you won’t be caught in one of the big seasonal rushes like the early summer or winter periods where people remember what they wanted. Not only does this make scheduling easier, but your technician will also appreciate the extra time to tackle the project.

Some of the available upgrades are also worth researching. Modern HVAC units have some neat options, such as UV filtration that kills significant amounts of mold, bacteria, and viruses in the air. A programmable thermostat is a nice and simple upgrade, too. If you’ve had some concerns about air quality, efficiency, or other shortcomings, spring is the time to address those.

Listening

Take the time to run both a heating and cooling cycle. Turn everything off in your house that you possibly can. If you hear some noises, then you can start thinking diagnostically. Some of the most basic issues are more cost-effective to address if you catch them early. Be a little cautious and direct our technician, who’s doing the annual inspection, to any sounds that you might have heard.

Sniffing

Yes, this is the same idea as listening. Once more, your senses often provide the best clues that an HVAC setup might need work. Strange odors might indicate dead animals in the ductwork, dirty components, or burning wires. If this is the case, you need to have this checked immediately.

Checking for Loose Components

Walk around the system and see if anything looks loose. Although a system will experience some increased slack over its lifetime, nothing should be hanging off the unit. Likewise, look for gaps, especially in interfaces where the outdoor and indoor air might mix. You can usually address these problems on your own with an off-the-shelf sealant. However, you should ask a technician if it’s okay to seal around a particular spot before you pull the trigger.

Energy Bill Review

Spring is also a good time to review your energy bills. Many modern systems will simply pull more power if they’re struggling. The first signs of trouble are often in the energy bills. Looking at two years of bills will give you lots of clues. See how the system performed in similar conditions year over year.

Also, be sure that you’re looking at consumption and not price. It wouldn’t be your HVAC’s fault if the electric company raised rates. Similarly, be mindful that you’re comparing apples to apples. If there was a brutally cold winter this year and last year’s was a noticeably warm one, then you want to make the comparison accordingly.

Condensation

Finally, you should check for signs of condensation or even ice build-up around the unit. Not only should you look at the components and lines, but you should check individual rooms. An efficiently operating HVAC shouldn’t allow condensation to build anywhere in your house. If there is condensation at all, then it might be a sign that the unit needs work.

Air Authority, A Riteway Service Company is here to help homeowners and businesses address a wide range of heating and air conditioning needs. We also offer indoor air purification and ductwork services. We serve San Antonio and the surrounding areas, and our company even has financing available. Call Air Authority, A Riteway Service Company today to schedule your HVAC’s annual check-up.

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