Spring is the perfect time for Calimesa homeowners to tackle important HVAC tasks. After months of your system providing reliable heating, it needs some TLC before it works to keep your home cool throughout the summer. Preparing early in the season ensures your unit is ready in case the hot temperatures arrive sooner than expected.
Schedule a Professional Inspection
A professional inspection is crucial for HVAC system care. During the appointment, technicians perform a wide range of tasks, including lubricating moving parts and cleaning components. Although these tune-ups are beneficial in the short term, they also help extend your system’s lifespan. With proper maintenance, your system could last between 10 and 25 years.
This appointment also allows our technicians to identify and address any potential problems. Fixing them early keeps them from worsening into severe, costly issues.
Take Care of Your Filters
The air filter is a crucial component of your HVAC system. It traps particles, such as pollen, pet dander, and dust, which helps improve your indoor air quality and protect the unit from damage. A dirty filter could reduce its lifespan, so it’s important to change or clean it every few months. However, you should clean or replace it more often if there are health-compromised individuals, allergy sufferers, smokers, kids, pets, or seniors in the home.
Turn off your system at the electrical panel before starting the task. With disposable filters, simply remove the old one and put the new one in carefully. It’s a good idea to stock up on these so that you always have a clean one on hand. If your system has a reusable filter, take it out, wash it gently, let it dry, and put it back in.
Put reminders in your calendar so that you never forget to clean or change the filter. If you’re unsure how often you should do it, we can recommend the frequency according to what’s best for your home.
Prepare the Outdoor Unit
There should be at least 2 feet of horizontal clearance and 5 feet of vertical clearance around the unit for unobstructed airflow. Avoid putting items like outdoor furniture and gardening tools in the space. It’s also important to remove grass, ivy, plants, and other greenery, as they could grow into the unit and damage it.
If you have pets who go outside, consider putting a gate around the condenser, as pet urine could severely damage the system over time. Pet fur could also build up and cause clogs, which can reduce airflow. The barrier allows proper airflow but keeps the pets at a distance.
Call an Arborist
If you have mature trees on your property and their branches are growing over your condenser, it’s a smart move to call an arborist in early spring. An outdoor unit can handle the elements, but a heavy branch falling on it could cause severe damage. Contacting an arborist to assess your trees is a proactive way to protect your HVAC unit. They can inspect the branches’ condition to make sure they’re not at risk of falling.
Clean the Vent Covers
Your vent covers can accumulate a significant amount of buildup, including pet dander, pet fur, and dust. As the air blows through your ducts, it can push these contaminants throughout your space. Keeping the vents clean encourages unobstructed airflow and helps improve your indoor air quality.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
If you’ve been using your ceiling fans during winter, it’s time to change their direction for spring. The ceiling fan should run counterclockwise throughout the warmest months of the year. This helps push a gentle breeze downward, helping you feel cooler without needing to lower your thermostat.
It’s a good idea to clean the fan before you change its direction. Start by turning off the power at the electrical panel. Generally, the safest option for removing dust from blades is using a duster/cleaner specifically designed for the task. This prevents you from having to stand on a chair or ladder. Turn the fan back on at the electrical panel. Before you consider the task complete, vacuum or wash your floor to remove any wayward dust, especially if you’re an allergy sufferer.
Prepare your HVAC system to handle the warm months ahead. Of Course! Heating and Cooling in Calimesa, CA, offers high-quality HVAC services, including maintenance, to ensure your system works optimally. Call us today to schedule an appointment or book services online through our website.
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