When spring cleaning this year, don’t forget your home’s HVAC system. A clean, tuned-up A/C or heat pump will operate more efficiently and perform better throughout the summer, while being less likely to break down. Consider these steps during HVAC spring cleaning:
- First thing, check the air filter in your A/C, heat pump or furnace. (In most homes, the furnace blower circulates air for the A/C.) If the filter looks clogged with dust, replace it with a higher-efficiency model that will do a better job of keeping dust and debris from infiltrating into sensitive HVAC equipment. A clean filter is also vital for maintaining smooth airflow through your cooling system. When the flow of air is restricted, your HVAC system works harder, stresses parts and wastes energy, while performance suffers.
- Inspect the area around your A/C’s outside unit (the compressor/condenser). Over the winter, sticks, leaves and other debris may have collected in this area. Clear it away to allow for clear airflow into the outside unit. Use a powerful hose (but not a pressure washer) to spray down the outside unit, to remove the grime and dirt that accumulates over the long winter. Inspect rain gutters to make sure they’re not blocked by leaves and other material. You don’t want water overflowing onto your A/C outside unit or the foundation of your home.
- Wipe dust off of ceiling fan blades. Otherwise, that dust will circulate throughout your home whenever the fan is operating. While you’re at it, if the fan is rotating clockwise for winter operation, make sure to readjust it for summertime use (counterclockwise). The switch should be on the fan housing.
- Perhaps most importantly, call your trusted HVAC professional and schedule a spring maintenance tuneup that among other things, involves cleaning whatever system components that you couldn’t access or didn’t know how to clean. Regular maintenance and cleaning improves efficiency and comfort and minimizes the chances of system breakdowns.
For more advice on HVAC spring cleaning, please contact us at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We serve the Greater Indianapolis area with professionalism and courtesy.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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