5 Steps to Prepare Your HVAC System for Spring
It’s nearly spring, and you know what that means. Before long, the temperature will be rising greatly in Northeast Texas. Once the sun starts scorching, you’ll undoubtedly be relying on your HVAC system to keep you comfortable. Most likely, you’ll need to have the air conditioning at full blast during the hottest days, so you need to ensure that it’ll be up to the task. If you don’t prepare your HVAC system for heavy usage, it’s liable to break down on you or cost you a ton of money due to its inefficiency. Fortunately, as long as you take the appropriate measures, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a comfortable and efficient spring and summer.
1. Schedule Cooling System Maintenance
Before you start relying on your AC unit too frequently, you should schedule a professional tune-up visit. During scheduled maintenance, your hired cooling technician will clean all of the dust, dirt, and debris out of the appliance. This will allow your air conditioner to circulate air more smoothly and efficiently all summer long. That means you’ll enjoy lower energy bills and more consistent comfort during the hottest time of the year.
Additionally, your cooling expert will search for signs of any current or upcoming problems. By nipping any issues in the bud now, you’ll avoid the risk of a cooling system breakdown in the summer. When you’re ready to schedule HVAC maintenance in Northeast Texas, you’ll get high-quality service from our team at Ken Parker Service, Inc..
2. Replace Your HVAC Air Filter
Your household air filters should be replaced regularly no matter the season, but it’s especially important during spring. For one thing, there’s quite a bit of pollen in the air during the spring. If your air filter is dirty or clogged, everyone in your home will end up breathing in lots of that pollen, which will be especially unpleasant for anyone suffering from allergies. Secondly, you’ll soon be depending heavily on your air conditioner, and it won’t be able to function efficiently without a clean filter. Remember, pleated air filters should be replaced every 90 days on average, and fiberglass filters every 30 days.
3. Clean Your Air Vents
Over time, it’s inevitable that dust and other contaminant particles will build up in your home’s vents. If left unchecked, though, this accumulation will obstruct your HVAC system from circulating air efficiently. This will be especially troublesome once the Texas summer kicks into full gear. To preserve your comfort and save some money, make a point this spring to clean out each of the vents. The task is fairly quick and simple; remove the protective panel with a screwdriver, then use a vacuum’s hose extension to thoroughly clean the chamber.
4. Have Your Ducts Cleaned and Inspected
Just like with your air vents, you don’t want any ductwork obstructions or issues to hamper your HVAC circulation either. In addition to getting rid of dust and dirt buildup, a professional cleaning will also help ensure you aren’t breathing in any mold this spring and summer. Plus, during the cleaning, your hired ductwork professional can check for any leaks or damage.
Any significant duct leaks will make things much harder on your AC unit when the weather heats up. The system will need to strain itself to compensate for the loss of conditioned air; this will be harmful to the appliance’s health and cause your energy bills to rise. If your hired professional discovers any problems, you can then get them remedied before the scorching heat arrives.
5. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Since you’ll have the AC cranked up so often over the next several months, you’ll be putting quite a bit of mileage on your HVAC system. Whenever you can give the unit rest, though, you’ll be helping its performance, efficiency, and life expectancy. A programmable thermostat will help ensure that your HVAC appliances are never working when they don’t need to be. You won’t need to worry about accidentally leaving your AC on when you leave for work or run errands. The smart thermostat will automatically shut the system down for you, and those hours of rest will really add up over time.
At Ken Parker Service, Inc., we’ve been proudly serving Rockwall, TX and the surrounding areas for more than four decades. We want to help you remain comfortable all year, which is why we’re always available to provide heating, cooling, and indoor air quality services. We are an established, family-owned business, and we make a constant effort to support our community. That’s why we contribute to our local charities and youth sports organizations as well as FFA and 4-H programs. To learn more about our services, contact us at Ken Parker Service, Inc. today.
