A Good Spring Cleaning: An HVAC Maintenance Checklist for March

You’ve been hibernating all winter, but March is a time of year when things finally start to warm up. If you’re like many homeowners, you may be eager to leave winter in the dust and throw open the windows. Amid the flurry of organizing and cleaning, don’t neglect your furnace and air conditioning system. After all, spring is the prelude to another blistering summer, making this a great time to get your HVAC system in good shape. Not sure what spring cleaning your HVAC system involves? Include these things to your March home maintenance checklist.

Swap Out the Air Filter

The air filter is an extremely important piece of your furnace or air conditioner, protecting sensitive equipment from airborne particles and promoting cleaner indoor air. Routinely replace the air filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you have pets in your home or someone in your home has allergies, change the filter up to once a month to maintain indoor air quality. Otherwise, replacing a dirty filter with a new one every three months is enough. In addition to ridding your home of airborne pollutants more effectively, a clean filter promotes better airflow to boost system efficiency by up to 15%.

Examine the Condensate Drain

Your air conditioner doesn’t just cool your residence—it also dehumidifies. The condensate drain is the key to removing unwanted moisture from your AC. The drain should be free-flowing and the system’s hose should be leak-free and correctly placed. Take a quick look at your condensate drain while you replace the filter to keep your system running smoothly—and also help you spot early signs of water damage.

Increase Your Home’s Airflow

Before turning on the air conditioner for the first time this spring, open your windows and doors to let the spring air flow into your residence. If you notice an excessively stuffy interior before taking this step, you may benefit by adding a whole-house ventilation system. This upgrade expels stale, contaminated air to the exterior and swaps it for clean, fresh air from outside. Certain equipment pre-cools and dehumidifies incoming air to decrease the impact on your energy costs while helping you breathe better.

Spring Clean Your Home

Meticulously cleaning your home complements your HVAC maintenance checklist by limiting the amount of dust and allergens that circulate through the system. Pay extra attention to these items:

• Dust ceiling fan blades.
• Seal gaps near windows and doors using caulk or weather stripping.
• Clean the grime out of sliding glass door tracks.
• Vacuum debris out of the coils located beneath or behind the refrigerator.
• Wipe off light fixtures and switch out old incandescent bulbs for energy-saving LEDs.

Enhance Your Thermostat

If you haven’t yet discovered programmable or smart thermostats, spring is a great time to consider this budget-friendly upgrade. A programmable thermostat makes a big difference in your home’s comfort and energy consumption. Start by setting the temperature to 78 degrees F when you’re in the home. After that, plan automatic setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees when everyone is out of the home during the day. With recovery periods planned for your arrival time, you can enjoy up to 10% energy savings without losing comfort.

A smart thermostat takes these advantages a step further by letting you make changes remotely. You can also track your energy use in a mobile app and get customized, cost-cutting tips.

Check Your Ductwork and Insulation Levels

Ductwork sometimes can develop leaks that decrease air quality and increase your energy costs. Sealing these leaks helps your AC run more efficiently and move clean, healthy air. Once sealed, insulate your ductwork so you don’t lose any cold air before it gets to your living area.

Spray Out the Outside Unit

The exterior condenser unit collects debris throughout the icy-cold months. Here’s how to clean it out this March:

• Clear away leaves, pine needles and grass clippings from around the unit.
• Carefully wash off the metal fins to remove dirt and cobwebs.
• Cut back nearby shrubs and grasses to create a one- to two-foot clearance.
• Check the unit for damage, such as missing insulation or bent fins.

• Get in touch with a professional technician for AC service before the summer heat arrives. 

Turn on Your HVAC Unit

After finishing your spring cleaning checklist, it’s time to try out your air conditioning system. Allow it to run for several minutes to check for adequate cooling. If you experience any problems, make sure your thermostat is set to cool before calling a professional for help.

Schedule Cooling Solutions in Canada with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

If your air conditioning system needs professional attention this spring, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is the team for the job. Our HVAC solutions help keep your home comfortable and energy efficient all year-round. Expect fast, long-lasting solutions to all your comfort problems, backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. You read that correct—if you’re not absolutely happy with our work, we’ll make it right. For a spring-ready AC system that delivers efficiency and peace of mind, call 866-397-3787 to reach the heating and cooling authorities at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.