Dust Off the Cobwebs: Best HVAC Tips for Spring

Get a Jump On Spring Cleaning

As the weather warms up, many of us embark on our spring cleaning. Whether you want to clear out the garage or just refresh your home, spring is a great time to tackle your home maintenance to-do list. In particular, itandrsquo;s a great time to make sure your HVAC system is in tip-top shape for the coming summer.

With some help from Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar, you can make sure your system is clean and ready to go. We provide our best HVAC maintenance tips for spring. Keep reading to learn more.

#1: Schedule An Inspection And Seasonal Maintenance

Spring is the best time to get your system serviced and one of the very best things you can do for your HVAC system is to schedule an inspection with our professional HVAC maintenance technician. Annual or seasonal HVAC inspections and tune-ups are vital to getting the most out of your air conditioning and heating systems.

Our technician will inspect your entire system during the maintenance visit, paying close attention to potential repair problems and looking for signs of wear and tear. Should a problem arise, they will provide you with all of your repair options, helping you select the products and services that best meet your needs and your budget. Reach out to Valley for help.

Some maintenance you can do yourself.

#2: Remove Debris From Your Outside AC Unit

One of the easiest and best things you can do for your HVAC system is to clear debris from your outside air conditioning unit. After the cold season and as springtime rain comes in, the air conditioner is prone to having leaves, sticks and other debris stuck in the vents and generally collecting around the unit. This can create problems for your cooling system, causing it to run less efficiently and possibly becoming a fire hazard.

First, remove any covers you have over the unit. Then, using a hand-held brush, sweep off and around the unit, removing large pieces of debris as you go. Also, be on the lookout for evidence of pests and rodents. Spiders, mice and other wildlife often make nests around the units during the winter, especially if you cover it during that time.

Ideally, it would be best to clean your outside air conditioning condenser every month.

#3: Change Your Air Filters

Changing the HVAC systemandrsquo;s air filters is fast and inexpensive and it is especially important to do this in the spring. The indoor air quality level can reduce during the winter causing air filters to work overtime. Without fresh air, dust and other particles build up in homes and air ducts, leading to clogged air filters and causing system to run less efficiently and possibly aggravating allergies or respiratory conditions.

Change your air filter every season or every three months. However, if you have pets or suffer from allergies or asthma, you may find that changing your air filter monthly works better.

Not sure which air filter you need? We can help and also change your filters if you prefer! Reach out to Valley for help.

#4: Check And Clean All Of Your Registers And Vents

Vents and registers inside the home also need to be cleaned as they can get clogged with debris. This is also a service we provide with a spring maintenance appointment. Cobwebs, lint and other random materials can get swept into or around registers, affecting the efficiency of your system and the home air quality. If you are doing this yourself, we recommend dusting around all wall, ceiling and floor vents. If any are particularly dirty, you can remove them and wash them in your kitchen sink. You can do this with either a hand-held duster (like a Swiffer) or your vacuumandrsquo;s hand attachments.

This is also a good time to ensure that none of your registers are blocked by furniture and that all vents are open and pointing in appropriate directions to maximize airflow. We recommend cleaning your indoor vents and registers twice a year – at the start of spring and the fall. We also provide that service during our seasonal maintenance appointment,

#5: Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned, Balanced And Sealed

When was the last time you had your air ducts professionally cleaned and balanced? Having your air ducts professionally cleaned and balanced is one of the most overlooked areas of HVAC maintenance. Without proper cleaning, allergens and pollutants can build up in your ductwork, reducing your indoor air quality and potentially affecting your health and causing your HVAC system to run less efficiently. It can also lead to excess dirt and dust in your home.

Without regular cleaning, pollutants build up in your system, including:

• Animal dander
• Bacteria
• Dirt
• Dust
• Mold
• Mildew
• Pests
• Pollen

Air duct balancing and sealing are also important as this is what prevents heating and cooling loss and helps ensure that your system can move conditioned air throughout your home effectively. Balancing can help correct issues like uneven airflow while duct sealing stops air leaks.

Generally, we recommend scheduling air duct cleaning every three to five years. However, if you have pets or suffer from allergies, asthma or other respiratory conditions, it may be good to have it done more often. Reach out to us to find out if your air ducts need to be cleaned and we will help you establish the air duct maintenance routine that works for you.