5 Easy Spring HVAC Maintenance Tips

Just a couple of weeks from now, we’re going to say goodbye to the long, cold winter! We’re going to hear birds chirping, see flowers blooming, and allow our homes to breathe in some fresh outside air.

This season is also great for your HVAC system, especially the furnace, which just took you through another challenging winter. But with the change of seasons is the necessary maintenance of your HVAC system to ensure it runs as efficiently as possible. While there are upkeep tasks that require professional expertise, there are some activities you can do on your own to help extend the life of your system.

Four Seasons Air Specialists is your trusted heating and cooling company in Hugo MN. In this article, we’re going to share with you some tips you can try to keep your HVAC system in tip-top shape.

Test your heat pump or air conditioner.

Since your cooling systems have been sitting idle over the past few months, they should be tested before going into full swing. The best way to do this is to set your thermostat a few degrees higher to warm up your air conditioner or heat pump. Find out if the system can easily get to the temperature you set. If it takes too long, or it doesn’t turn on, or it blows cold air, it’s best to have a technician inspect it and diagnose the problem.

Turn off the water supply to the humidifier.

The area surrounding the humidifier’s coils has possibly become humid. Therefore, it is recommended to turn off the water supply to the humidifier during the months when you will run your air conditioner. It helps to check your humidifier because there are certain units that are equipped with a summer setting that will allow you to simply turn the knob to deactivate the humidifier when you do not need it.

Inspect your filters.

The filter is the part of your HVAC system that’s the easiest to maintain, and yet it performs an important task of keeping you and your family comfortable. It protects your system from unwanted dust, debris, and other elements that can affect your unit’s performance. A clogged filter can cause several problems in your HVAC system. It compromises the airflow, which results in overheating. This issue causes faster deterioration of internal parts and a significant increase in your utility bills. To avoid these problems, be sure to clean or replace your air filters before operating your HVAC system this spring.

Clean the area around the outdoor unit.

You will likely see some dirt and debris that have accumulated around the base of the unit over the past few months. Items like leaves, sticks, dirt, grass clippings, and other objects commonly gather up against the unit. Sometimes, the exit for the duct of the dryer vent will lead right into the side of the outdoor unit. It is important to keep the condenser and the surrounding area clean and free from any type of discarded matter.  Get rid of any buildup of debris and trash as well as trim back vegetation and branches within a minimum of 2 feet around the unit.

Check your home for drafts and leaks.

No matter the season, you wouldn’t want to waste energy due to leaks or cracks in your ductwork (energy is not cheap)! These holes let out precious cooled air while letting the warm air from the outside enter your home. It is best to have a professional come by and check your entire duct network for drafts, leaks, and the overall quality of your insulation. When your home is properly insulated and your ducts are in great shape, you can keep the cool air in and the warm air out.

Professional HVAC Maintenance with Four Seasons Air Specialists

The best way to prepare your HVAC system for spring is a professional maintenance check. As your leading Forest Lake HVAC company, we will thoroughly inspect your entire HVAC system and make sure it runs according to the manufacturer’s specifications. We will clean all internal and external parts, lubricate moving parts, and detect potential issues (if any).  Before leaving, we will first test the unit, let it run for a good few minutes, and make sure it’s ready for spring.