Gorgeous weather, sunny skies, blooming flowers – it is the time of year that puts us all in the best of moods. There is something about the spring season that makes us want to start over – the winter blues are gone and we are ready to have some spring in our step! There is no better way to welcome spring than to prepare our home for the upcoming days. To make sure you are adequately ready as we enter the next part of the year, we have put together a few tips. These not only apply to your home’s heating and cooling equipment but include some spring cleaning tips as well.
- Replace air filters. A good rule of thumb is to use the change in seasons as an opportunity to change out your air filters – which is approximately every 30 to 90 days. You should inspect it every month to see its status and if it is ready to be replaced. Air filters are key to maintaining healthy indoor air quality. If the air filter is dirty, the air is dirty. Additionally, if the air filter is dirty, then it is harder for your air conditioner to do its job; this means poor airflow, more wear and tear, and higher energy costs.
- Clean air vents and rid your home of allergens. Once the filters in the unit have been replaced, it is a good time to inspect some other areas, such as the: air vents ductwork, duct sealing, and insulation in your home. If the ducts leak, your HVAC unit will have to work harder to push air into each room of your home. If you have damaged or worn insulation, your home won’t effectively keep conditioned air indoors. Cleaning out the ductwork and the air vents not only helps with better airflow but also helps to clean the air in your home. For optimal indoor air quality, now is the time to schedule a professional duct cleaning. Before turning on the AC, it’s good to free ducts of dust and allergens that have built up during the winter. We recommend a good cleaning every five to seven years.
- Clean Around the Unit. Overgrown foliage, trash, and other debris may have found their way around your condenser unit over the winter. Keep this area clear to prevent any issues – there should be a minimum of two feet of clearance around the entire condenser unit. Be mindful when planting around the HVAC system as well. As the weather warms up, weeds and plants start growing fast and can tangle around and through the HVAC unit. A clean and clear unit is essential to maintaining high-efficiency levels. It is also considerate to your HVAC technicians that come for your maintenance checkups – to keep a clear path. When clearing the area around your unit, you may notice a pest that has found its way inside. Turn the system off and contact an HVAC technician right away if you suspect that an animal could be in your unit. Indoors, make sure there is nothing located near the vents, registers, or indoor air handler. It is important to keep the air flowing as freely as possible around your HVAC system.
- Spring clean. Now is the perfect time to clean and scrub some of those items you may have forgotten during the rest of the year. This includes walls, baseboards, outlets, faucets, showerheads, dryer vents, exterior windows, gutters, and the grill. While you are outside, use this opportunity to prep and wash down the outdoor furniture for the warm days and nights ahead. You may want to test smoke alarms during this process as well.
If you are ready to make changes and start over in the spring – don’t stop at your home maintenance! It is the perfect time to switch energy providers too. We can offer various pricing structures, such as fixed and variable, and provide a quote that tailors to you and your needs. Control your home energy expenses with our home energy enrollment plans. By choosing from our pricing options, you have the opportunity to choose which plan works best for your budgeting needs. Enroll today!