Taking care of your home’s HVAC system is a priority. Without proper maintenance, the systems could fail, leaving you with costly bills and an uncomfortable house. Knowing what tasks to complete, however, can feel overwhelming. Instead of letting frustration get the best of you, follow an HVAC-maintenance checklist broken down by season.
Autumn
Winterize the Air Conditioner
As the hot days of summer fade away, the time has arrived to schedule an appointment to get the air conditioner winterized. The air conditioner can get a thorough cleaning to ensure that it’s ready for usage next season. Our team can also ensure that the unit is properly covered to protect it from the winter-weather elements.
Schedule Heating Maintenance
By the start of autumn, you should schedule a maintenance appointment for your home’s heating system. Booking early ensures that you can beat the rush. Doing so also our teams to diagnose and repair any issues that could prevent your house from getting too cold in the winter.
Check for Debris
While the falling leaves of autumn are beautiful, this foliage can also clog up your home’s HVAC units. Make sure to check for debris on a regular basis, particularly after a lot of leaves fall. If your neighbors have recently cleaned up their yard, it’s a good idea for you to give your home’s systems another check, just in case any leaves or residue floated over from their property.
Winter
Open the Vents
Some time has likely gone by since you last used the air conditioner, so you might have closed up the vents in the meanwhile. Go through the house to make sure all of the vents are open. Otherwise, the heat will be unable to adequately warm the living space.
Change the Filters
Change your furnace filters before you start using the heater on a regular basis. Typically, professionals suggest that you change the filter at least every three months; however, the frequency really depends upon a variety of factors, including the type of filter and how frequently you use the heat. One of our team members can let you know how often you should change your furnace’s filter.
Watch the Electrical Load
For many homeowners, preparing for the winter holidays means stringing up lights inside and plugging in outdoor decorations. If you’re pumping the heating system, the extra stress from the decorations could lead to an electrical overload. Schedule an appointment to ensure that your home’s electrical system can handle the load.
Invest in Leak Monitoring
During your annual appointment for furnace maintenance, let our team know if you’ve had any issues with suspected leaks. Talk to the team about the most effective ways to monitor for leaks. For example, you might invest in a natural gas detector. Now is also a smart time to replace the batteries in the home’s carbon monoxide detectors.
Spring
Book Air Conditioner Maintenance
When the temperature starts to increase, plenty of homeowners will begin booking maintenance for their air conditioners. Instead of waiting until this rush, schedule your appointment early. Air conditioners generally need maintenance once or twice per year, and you can speak with a representative to learn the appropriate schedule for your system. Scheduling maintenance in the spring means that you can fully enjoy your air conditioner once the summer heat arrives.
Consider Energy-Efficient Alternatives
You might also decide to make some energy-efficient upgrades this season, especially if you tend to run the air conditioner a lot in the summer. Now is the time to book these improvements so that you can enjoy nice, cool temperatures all summer long. For example, you might decide to upgrade to a smart thermostat or consider zone cooling for your home. You could also look into a high-powered fan to reduce energy consumption on more mild days.
Check for Clogs and Debris
As the winter snow melts and nature comes to life again, debris could clog up the air conditioner. If you or your neighbors recently had major landscaping maintenance done, grass, leaves and other substances could have found their way to your unit. Get into a regular habit of monitoring for clogs throughout both the spring and summer.
Get New Window Coverings
When spring swiftly turns to summer, you may be tempted to immediately blast the air conditioner. Getting some new window treatments now can help you to better regulate the temperature inside the house. You can also use the window coverings more effectively. On sunny days, closing up the curtains might seem counterintuitive; however, this move can keep your house cooler.
Summer
Program the Thermostat
You may very well have had the thermostat off while you were enjoying the more mild days of spring. Now is the time to input your summer settings. Take advantage of features that the thermostat provides to help you to conserve energy. For example, a smart thermostat can learn your routines and customize the temperatures for maximum energy efficiency and comfort.
Change the Filters
Your home’s air conditioner needs its air filters changed as well. The estimate for how often you should change the air conditioner’s filters is also 90 days. However, as with the heater’s filters, you should consult with one of our team members to determine the appropriate schedule for your air conditioner.
Keep It Clean
During the maintenance appointment, you can ask about cleaning strategies specific to your home’s unit. In general, though, you can schedule an appointment to get the coils, drain pain and filters cleaned. It’s important that the power is shut off entirely to the unit before any cleaning is done, which is why you should leave the work to the professionals. Improper cleaning methods could also damage the unit, put you at risk of electrical shock or lead to mold growth.
Whether you know what HVAC maintenance services you need to book or you want to talk more about the appropriate schedule for your home’s systems, All Klear in Springfield is here to help. We offer a full array of heating and cooling services, including maintenance, repair and replacement. We can also test and improve the indoor air quality in your home. Our team is available for plumbing and electrical work as well. Some of our plumbing services include work on sump pumps, garbage disposals and gas lines. As far as electrical services, we offer lighting repair, whole house surge protection, installation and more. Additionally, emergency HVAC services are available, so we’re here for you 24 hours per day and seven days per week. Our service area includes Springfield and many surrounding communities, such as Reeds Spring, Fair Play, Rockaway Beach and Kimberling City. Be sure to check out our specials and our financing plans to make all of your home-improvement dreams come true. Review our various membership programs too. You can even chat with a representative online. To get started on your next home-improvement project or to schedule regular service, contact All Klear today.
