Spring HVAC Maintenance Checklist — How HVAC Preventative Maintenace Helps You
Date: February 23, 2019
THE DEFINITIVE HVAC MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST: HVAC PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE FOR SPRING
Why do you need a spring HVAC maintenance checklist? Spring in Arizona is the weird seemingly only 1-month period between Winter and Summer when going outside is possible again. This also represents the time when people will be switching from heating their homes to cooling their homes. But after a prolonged period of not using the cooling system, it might be beneficial to do some HVAC preventative maintenance. Your HVAC system might have collected dirt or dust and may not be functioning at 100%. Especially because allergies heighten around springtime, HVAC maintenance can alleviate some of the allergy inconveniences for your family. We’ll dive into some things to check out for, why you should be doing HVAC maintenance, and how often to change air filters in the home.
Why HVAC Preventative Maintenance?
It’s not all about whether or not the system is working. During the summer months of Arizona, we have a tendency of coughing up a lot of money over the months while battling out the Arizona heats. Making sure your system and your home is best preserving energy saves you money, keeps your HVAC system healthy for a longer time, and keeps your air quality in optimal shape.
DIY HVAC System Maintenance
Let’s be real here. During the winter time, we all hibernate indoors. Especially if you have pets at home, the beginning of the spring is the optimal time to do some HVAC preventative maintenance. Make sure Fido didn’t… do his/her business over your HVAC system and if they did, make sure to clean it off. Additionally, check lines around your HVAC system to make sure nothing is chewed off.
If you’re going to dive into your HVAC unit itself, make sure it is shut off. This is essential to safe DIY HVAC maintenance. Once you’re ready to tackle your HVAC, be ready to clean things out, check for cracks or signs of wear, and lubricate and ready your system for summer!
Let’s dive into the system HVAC maintenance checklist!
◦ You should check out the blower filter and change it out (twice a year is optimal)
◦ Check for locations with dirt and debris where there shouldn’t be
◦ Keep grass away. If any greens managed to get in there, you got to dip deep and cut them away, ensuring nothing gets in the way of a properly functioning system.
Professional HVAC System Maintenance
Additionally, you should have a professional do some HVAC preventative maintenance as they can give you better insights you might not be able to get to yourself such as the life of your products and the optimal time to replace some parts. Especially because Arizona summers are coming up, you don’t want to be fighting every other Arizonian for repairs at the same time. But what HVAC professional is right for you? Check out this article for a dive into choosing your best HVAC professional!
In the meantime, let’s check out the HVAC maintenance checklist for Your Best HVAC Professional!
◦ Great Experience and Credentials
◦ Up-To-Date with New Technology
◦ Reviews — Good or bad?
◦ Personal References to Confirm With
◦ Quality Versus Price
Home Maintenance
Your system is not the only thing that needs some maintenance. Many Americans wonder how often they need to change air filters in home. The answer is… it depends. If you’re one to buy higher quality HEPA air filters, you might need to change it too often. But if you have pets at home or children with allergies, you might need to both invest in higher quality HEPA air filters and change pretty often. This goes for both air filters and air ducts. Additionally, check to see if there are any cracks in your home — windows, doors, garages, etc. Cool and heated air is money. You don’t want it literally slipping through the cracks.
Home HVAC Maintenance Checklist
◦ Air Ducts should be cleaned for dust and dirt
◦ Air Filters should be replaced with HEPA filters
◦ Cracks in Window need to be checked and replaced if necessary
◦ Cracks in Home also need to be checked and replaced if necessary
◦ Garage Door Openings may allow for air where there shouldn’t be any
Energy-Efficiency Bonus Round
We only have one earth so we might as well protect it. Also, it saves you money to be more energy efficient so why not. With the advancements in technology, opting for programmable thermostats will help you get the most bang out of your buck. Programmable thermostats let you set the time you’re home, asleep, and more so that your home can adjust the air quality where you won’t notice a difference at home but will in the savings. While some can be expensive, there are some great $100 options that critics are raving about!
Additionally, if you are in the market for an entirely new HVAC system and/or air purifier, going with green products will cost a bit more today but save you money years into the future.
Green HVAC Maintenace Checklist
◦ Green Air Purifiers
◦ Green HVAC systems
◦ Going for a Hybrid heating system can combine the best of heat pumps and gas furnaces to efficiently get you the cooling and heating you need
◦ Programmable Thermostats
◦ Day-to-day life
◦ Closing window blinds conserve cool air
◦ Rugs/Carpets over tile can prevent your home from getting overly cool during Winter
◦ Using fans can make a room feel 5-10 degrees cooler
◦ During the summer, cook outside or cook less. Opt for dishes that require less heat or don’t require heating
Be Comfortable At Home
HVAC preventative maintenance is key to ensuring your system works properly when you need it to the most. Changing habits around your house can save you money without degrading the standard of living in your home. While DIY HVAC preventative maintenance is free, professional HVAC maintenance can catch issues well before they arise. But fear not! Donley’s Comfort Heroes are here to save the day!