Keep Your HVAC System Running Smooth Through Spring and Beyond
When spring is in the air, there’s often a spring in your step as well. The last thing you want interrupting your enjoyment of the beautiful new season is an issue with your HVAC system, which is why HVAC maintenance is essential during seasonal changes.
Taking a proactive approach to your HVAC maintenance can help keep your family comfortable all year long and can even lengthen the time between the need for HVAC service. In Kansas City, it’s especially important to ensure your heating and air conditioning can keep up with whatever wacky weather springtime throws at us.
If you’re one of many people who wonder when to service their HVAC system, keep reading for helpful insight into how you can keep your system ready for rising outdoor temperatures.
Commonly Overlooked HVAC Service: Replace Your Air Filters
As springtime starts, it’s a good idea to get fresh filters in place and then continue either cleaning or replacing them as needed during the hot summer months. Replacing your air filters is one of the easiest and most important pieces of HVAC maintenance, because a clogged air filter not only impacts the effectiveness of your system, it can cause damage that requires expensive repairs.
The frequency of when to change your air filter depends on your individual household’s needs. Multi-person households and those with pets should clean or replace filters every 30 days for ideal protection, whereas everyone else can typically go 60 to 90 days.
Different types of HVAC systems have different types of filters in different areas of your home; some can be cleaned and replaced, while others are intended to be disposed of after use. A professional HVAC service technician can recommend the best filter types for your home and needs.
Inspect and Clean Your Indoor and Outdoor Equipment
Your indoor and outdoor HVAC equipment attract dirt and debris over the year, especially when not in use. In early spring, before it starts to get too warm outside, it’s a good idea to take the time to inspect and clean things like your coils, air blowers, and vents inside your home and to clear away debris from your outdoor unit.
Dirty coils make it harder for your system to cool your home, causing it to run longer as it struggles to keep up with demand. The same goes for the blower components, which need to be clear to provide adequate airflow for proper efficiency.
If you cover your outdoor unit during the winter months, uncover it before testing out your air conditioner for the first time.
Test Your Thermostat and Consider Upgrading
While you’re in spring cleaning mode, make sure your home is kept at the right temperature by testing the accuracy of your thermostat. Experts recommend checking for loose wires, testing the temperature reading using a thermometer, and calibrating the thermostat if needed. You can refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for a how-to on calibrating your specific thermostat, or it can be done as part of routine HVAC service.
Spring is also the perfect time to consider upgrading to a smart thermostat to improve the efficiency of your air conditioning and provide a little relief on those warm weather electric bills.
Inspect Electrical Connections
Anything running off of electricity should be checked regularly and maintained for safe operation; there’s no exception for your HVAC service. Kansas City air conditioners get a lot of usage during hot summer months, so spring is the time to tighten your electrical connections and measure the current.
Like other aspects of HVAC maintenance services, checking the electrical connections protects the integrity of your system for the long term.
Ensure Proper Refrigerant Levels
Over months of not being used, it’s possible for small leaks to impact your refrigerant levels. As you’re preparing your home for the warmer weather of spring and summer, you may consider asking a professional technician to check your refrigerant levels and find any possible leaks during HVAC service.
They can top off your refrigerant levels and will let you know if there is anything else your system needs for proper functioning throughout the season.
Take Charge of Your Spring HVAC Service Needs
Performing simple springtime HVAC maintenance is a major way to avoid expensive HVAC repairs later. Consider:
- Replacing your air filters regularly, as often as every other month during the warm weather.
- Inspecting and cleaning your indoor and outdoor HVAC equipment.
- Testing and calibrating your thermostat, or upgrading to a smart thermostat.
- Inspecting your HVAC system’s electrical connections.
- Ensuring ideal levels of refrigerant are present.
By following the steps in this guide and completing them before the weather gets too warm, you’ll have a great headstart on keeping your family comfortable through the spring and summer months!
Schedule a clean-and-check visit with your local heating and cooling company to let the experts take care of your HVAC maintenance needs.