WHAT’S INVOLVED IN A SPRING HVAC CHECK-UP: 4 EASY TASKS
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Spring is a time of blooming flowers, lush trees, and plenty of pollen. When you add dirt and dust to the mix, your HVAC really has its work cut out for it!
A spring HVAC check-up is a great way to prep your system for all the changes in the new season. Even better, you can easily perform most of these checks at home to keep your system running smoothly and reduce the risk of surprise breakdowns. Not only will your system be ready for spring’s uneven temperatures and heavy winds, you’ll be all set for summer, too.
Need a little help making sure your HVAC is in peak condition? Brothers Air, Heat & Plumbing has been providing residential HVAC services in Charlotte, NC, for 30 years.
Give us a call to have a professional swing by and perform a quick tune-up on your system.
THE SPRING HVAC CHECKLIST: 4 EASY TASKS
An HVAC spring check-up is easy once you understand how each part of the HVAC system works and why. The primary parts you’ll be working with are the filters, covers, vents, thermostats, and grilles.
We’ll explore each part’s function below and describe how to maintain them with a few simple tasks.
1. AIRFLOW AND FILTRATION
Your HVAC system needs good airflow to maintain a consistent temperature in your home. If it’s constantly chugging through clogged coils or dirty filters, it’ll wear itself out.
Check and change your HVAC filter. You should swap out your HVAC filters every three months to enjoy clean, unobstructed heating and cooling.
Clear supply and return vents. Move any furniture out of the way, then use a small vacuum hose to clean out the grilles.
Clean vents and drains. You can do this by checking the condensate drain line and removing any clogs.
2. OUTDOOR UNIT AND CONDENSER
Your condenser coil is what causes the refrigerant gas to condense into a liquid. This liquid is crucial for consistently cooling your home and helping you beat the heat as spring transitions into summer.
Remove your winter covers to make way for spring’s warmer weather. Leaving them on will increase the risk of your system overheating since it can’t vent air properly.
Clear away any leaves or debris around your outdoor unit. This simple clean-up prevents the grates and fans from becoming clogged.
If you see any dirt on the exterior fins, gently rinse them off. Carefully cleaning these will help them vent heat. Just be careful not to bend the delicate aluminum fins!
3. CONTROLS AND PERFORMANCE
Performing a few tests will save you a serious headache down the road. These tests ensure your HVAC is responding to your commands, such as switching temperatures or turning off properly.
Test your thermostat by switching to heating and cooling modes. If you notice it’s not responding properly (for example, cooling when it should be heating), you may need to call a professional.
Make sure your vents are blowing consistently and the air temperature in each room is changing. If some rooms don’t feel warm or cool enough, you may need to check for airflow issues or clogged vents.
Listen to your HVAC system. Does it make normal hums or strange sounds? If you hear clanking, rattling, or whistling, call a professional.
Smell the air after turning on your HVAC and/or furnace. If it smells musty or stale, you may have a problem such as dirty coils or old filters that need checking. A brief burning smell when you turn on the furnace for the first time in months can be normal as dust burns off. However, if the smell persists, you likely have an electrical issue and need to call a technician.
Think you might need a repair job after testing your system? We offer HVAC repair services that can solve issues like wiring failures, low refrigerant levels, and physical damage.
4. COOLING SYSTEM
Your cooling system includes refrigerant, coils, and fans. Maintaining these involves a mixture of light cleaning and keeping a close eye out for warning signs.
Check for warning signs of low refrigerant levels. If you notice weak cooling, strange hissing sounds, or frost build-up on any components, you’ll need a professional inspection.
Look for any dust, dirt, or debris on the outdoor fan grate. Pick out stray leaves and wipe off dust to keep your unit working without trouble.
Grime, dirt, and dust can collect on your indoor evaporator coil during the off-season. If cleaning doesn’t reduce musty or dusty odors, you may need to schedule a professional cleaning to get deep into the system.
Scheduling a quick HVAC tune-up is easy with Brothers. Fill out our online form, and we’ll send a technician to spruce up your system!
WHY A SPRING HVAC CHECK-UP MATTERS
What benefits can you expect as a result of an HVAC check-up and maintenance? When you perform most or all of the tasks on our list, you’ll enjoy five key financial and lifestyle benefits.
IMPROVED COMFORT
Spring can get pretty chilly with its signature rainy, windy days. It can also swing right back over into surprisingly warm weather as the season eases toward summer. When you keep your HVAC in peak condition, your system will easily handle these fluctuating temperatures.
PEAK PERFORMANCE
If your HVAC is dealing with dirty coils and filthy filters, it’ll have a hard time operating at its best. It will struggle to heat or cool your home, working far too hard and driving up- energy costs unnecessarily.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
A little effort now will pay off nicely later. Like visiting the dentist every year to reduce the risk of cavities or gingivitis, preventative measures for your HVAC significantly reduce the risk of breakdowns.
BETTER INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Do your sinuses act up whenever you turn on the HVAC? Poor indoor air quality is likely the result of dust, mold, and grime build-up inside your system. Seasonal tune-ups clear out these issues so you don’t have to deal with itchy eyes or a runny nose.
Too busy to perform your check-up? Call Brothers today to have a technician take the work off your hands in time for spring.
3 COMMON SPRING HVAC MISTAKES TO AVOID
There are quite a few misconceptions around how to keep your system working at its best. Not only can these HVAC check-up myths waste your time, they might actually create worse problems down the road.
1. SETTING THERMOSTATS TOO LOW
Once the weather changes and you turn on that AC system, make sure not to set the thermostat too low. Lowering the temperature setting won’t cool your home faster. All you’re doing is making your system run longer, wasting energy, and increasing your bills at the same time.
2. OVERLOOKING DUST BUILD-UP
Dust isn’t just unpleasant. It taxes your system and worsens your indoor air quality, so make sure to clean vents and change filters on a regular basis!
3. SKIPPING PROFESSIONAL CHECK-UPS
Low refrigerant levels, electrical issues, and broken parts all need to be handled by a skilled technician. Additionally, professional check-ups can save you money in the long term by reducing the risk of unexpected repairs.
Let Brothers keep your system in working condition by calling us for a seasonal HVAC inspection.
WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL A PROFESSIONAL?
DIY check-ups include simple cleaning, inspections, and tests. However, when you need to replace parts or check electrical problems, you should call for a technician who knows how to perform the job safely.
Experienced technicians have the equipment, training, and hands-on expertise to tackle any problem your HVAC throws your way. Even better, HVAC maintenance services set you up for success with DIY tips and tune-ups that extend your unit’s lifespan.
Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with professional HVAC check-ups. Give us a quick call to get an estimate for your tune-up or inspection!
FIX YOUR HVAC IN TIME FOR SPRING WITH BROTHERS
The sooner you spruce up your HVAC, the sooner you’ll be ready for spring’s showers and flowers. If you notice anything off with your unit that cleaning sessions and testing don’t fix, Brothers is here to help.
We’re available seven days a week and offer all our customers access to fast scheduling and perks such as:
Financing options to help you budget for home maintenance
Limited-time specials and coupons for additional savings
Pro Service Plans that include priority service and extra discounts
If you’re low on time and energy, we can step in and take over for you. Schedule an HVAC check-up with Brothers before spring’s rainy days and heat waves arrive!