Get Your Home Ready for Summer with HVAC Maintenance

You’ve been hibernating away from the cold, but March is a time of year when things finally start to warm up. If you’re like many homeowners, you may be eager to put winter behind you and throw open the windows. Amid the flurry of straightening up and cleaning, don’t ignore your heating and cooling system. After all, spring is the prelude to another hot summer, making this an ideal time to get your HVAC system in tip-top shape. Are you uncertain what spring cleaning your HVAC system entails? Include these tasks to your March home maintenance checklist.

Replace the Air Filter

The air filter is an extremely important piece of your furnace or air conditioner, protecting sensitive equipment from airborne particles and promoting cleaner indoor air. Regularly replace the air filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you have pets in the household or suffer from allergies, change the filter up to once a month to preserve indoor air quality. If you don’t, replacing your HVAC filter with a new one every three months is sufficient. In addition to removing airborne pollutants more efficiently, a clean filter promotes better airflow to boost system efficiency by up to 15%.

Tend to the Condensate Drain

Your air conditioner doesn’t simply cool your home—it also dehumidifies. The condensate drain is the key to removing unwanted moisture from your AC. The drain should be free-flowing and the attached hose should be leak-free and properly placed. Check on your condensate drain every time you replace the filter to keep your system running properly—and also help you spot early signs of water damage.

Get the Air Moving

Before firing up your home’s air conditioning system for the first time this spring, open your windows and doors to let the spring air flow into your residence. If your home usually feels stuffy, you may benefit by adding a whole-house ventilation system. This upgrade expels stale, contaminated air to the exterior and swaps it for clean, fresh air from outside. Certain equipment pre-cools and dehumidifies incoming air to minimize the impact on your energy costs while helping you breathe better.

Spring Clean Your Home

Extensively cleaning your home complements your HVAC maintenance checklist by reducing the amount of dust and allergens that flow through the system. Pay extra attention to these items:

• Dust ceiling fan blades.
• Seal gaps around windows and doors using caulk or weather stripping.
• Wipe out sliding glass door tracks.
• Clean the coils located beneath or behind the refrigerator.
• Dust light fixtures and swap old incandescent bulbs for energy-saving LEDs.

Upgrade Your Thermostat

If you haven’t yet discovered programmable or smart thermostats, spring is a perfect time to consider this budget-friendly upgrade. A programmable thermostat makes a substantial difference in your home’s comfort and energy use. Start by setting the temperature to 78 degrees F when you’re at home. Then, program automatic setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees when the house is empty during the day. With recovery periods set for your arrival time, you can enjoy up to 10% energy savings without compromising comfort.

A smart thermostat takes these benefits a step further by enabling you to make modifications remotely. You can also monitor your energy usage in a mobile app and get tailored, cost-cutting tips.

Have Your Ducts Sealed and Insulated

Ductwork sometimes can develop leaks that decrease air quality and increase your energy costs. Sealing these leaks helps your AC function more efficiently and circulate clean, healthy air. Once sealed, insulate your ductwork so air conditioned air doesn’t leak out of your system.

Clean the Exterior Unit

The exterior condenser unit can become filled with debris during the cold season. Here’s how to give it a good cleaning this March:

• Rake leaves, pine needles and grass clippings from around the unit.
• Delicately wash off the metal fins to remove dirt and cobwebs.
• Remove adjacent shrubs and grasses to create a one- to two-foot clearance.
• Check the unit for damage, such as missing insulation or bent fins.

• Consult with a professional technician for AC service before the summer heat arrives. 

Test Your HVAC Unit

After performing your spring cleaning checklist, it’s time to turn on your air conditioning system. Run it for several minutes to check for adequate cooling. If you discover any trouble, double-check the thermostat settings before phoning a professional for help.

Schedule Air Conditioning Services in Fort Lauderdale with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning

If your heating and cooling system needs special help this spring, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning has you covered. Our HVAC services help keep your home comfortable and energy efficient all year-round. Count on fast, long-lasting solutions to all your comfort problems, backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. That’s right—if you’re not completely happy with our solutions, we’ll make it right. For a spring-ready air conditioning system that delivers efficiency and peace of mind, call 954-736-4314 to reach the heating and cooling authorities at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today.