HVAC Care and Maintenance Tips for the Spring Season

Spring is again upon us, which means it’s time to prepare your list of spring cleaning tasks, in which HVAC maintenance should be a part of. You’re not expected to do any heavy lifting, but the following tips from Perfect Degree HVAC should help keep your HVAC system in good shape until your next scheduled maintenance appointment.

Replace the Air Filter

The air filter in your HVAC system traps indoor air pollutants like dust, pollen and mold spores. They get filled to capacity every three months or so, which means yours will need to be replaced if you haven’t done so in the last season. Air filters are designed to be replaced by the user — that is, you don’t need an appointment with an HVAC technician to do so. When buying a new air filter, make sure that you’re buying the same size as the old one. For whole-home systems, the air filter is located at the air handler, and it’s a simple matter of disengaging fasteners, pulling out the old air filter, and installing the new one.

It’s important to note that window-mounted and mini-split systems have reusable air filters. All you need to do is remove them as instructed by the user guide and clean them with water and mild dish detergent. If you notice holes or other apparent damage to the air filter, buy a replacement one from your HVAC contractor or from the manufacturer’s online store.

Test the Thermostat

Sometimes thermostats fall out of sync with the HVAC system that they’re paired with, so it’s important to take a few minutes to test your thermostat and troubleshoot it if needed. To test it, simply adjust its output by a few degrees while running, and try to feel if it changed its output accordingly. If it doesn’t seem to be responding, try resetting your thermostat by taking out the batteries, putting them back in again, and repeating the test. Follow the troubleshooting steps in your HVAC system’s user guide if the HVAC system continues to be unresponsive.

Clean the Area Around the Outdoor Unit

Air conditioners and heat pumps need airflow to ensure continued operation. This is why you have to make sure that the area surrounding the outdoor unit is free from obstructions, such as leaves and debris, that may impede airflow. If you must place boxes or equipment near the outdoor unit, make sure that you give it at least one foot of clearance to ensure airflow.

Haven’t scheduled your HVAC maintenance appointment yet? Give our team at Perfect Degree HVAC a call at (610) 529-7372. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. Ask us about our HVAC maintenance contracts so you don’t miss out on your annual maintenance appointments.