- March 14, 2021
The spring season is around the corner and most of us are already looking forward to the sunny days when we can enjoy the cool air conditioning. However, it is important to prepare your HVAC for the shift from heating to cooling. The air conditioning and other components used in cooling remain in hibernation for several months during the winter. As you gear up the cooling, these components may run into problems.
Here are some tips you can use to make sure your AC is running fine and is well-prepared to deliver the right amount of spring cooling.
Do A Test Drive
Before the spring season actually kicks in and you feel the need to turn on the AC, it is critical that you schedule a test run beforehand. This test-run should ideally be scheduled a week or more in advance of your actual AC use.
With this early testing, you can crank up the AC, see if it delivers the right degree of cooling, and identify if it has any problems. The test drive allows you to troubleshoot and diagnose problems before they can occur in the middle of the hot season, causing you inconvenience.
Schedule Maintenance
HVAC experts usually recommend that the system should undergo service and maintenance twice a year, once just before the spring season, and once before the winter sets in. Routine maintenance is beneficial for various reasons. It lets you keep your HVAC system in perfect shape.
The pre-spring maintenance makes sure that the AC and all its related components are in good working order. The HVAC technician you hire for maintenance will also determine if any parts need repairs or replacements. By timely identifying and resolving such problems, you can save time, money, and effort down the road.
Consider Air Duct Cleaning
Over time, dirt, dust, pollen, air pollutants and various other forms of debris can accumulate inside the air ducts of your HVAC system. When you turn the AC on without first checking the ducts, all this debris will be blown into your indoor air, significantly affecting its quality.
Ducts with accumulated debris may also impact the performance and efficiency of the HVAC system. This is why it is important to do a quick check on the ducts and see if they need cleaning. There are ways to do basic duct cleaning on your own. However, if you note that the ducts have extensive dust or dirt, you may need professional help.
Look for Insulation Improvements
The insulation of the air ducts as well as the windows, doors, and other openings of your home play a huge role in the efficiency of your HVAC system. This is particularly true for the summers. If the air ducts and home is not insulated well enough, HVAC will need to exert more to achieve the desired degree of cooling. This will result in increased energy costs.
Air ducts, in particular, are prone to lose cooling if they are not properly sealed and insulated. Ducts that are properly sealed and insulated can lower your annual energy bills by as much as $120.
Change the Air Filter
The air filter of your HVAC system is the first line of defense against the dust, dirt and other debris that comes with the outdoor air. The filter effectively blocks these impurities to ensure that only clean air circulates through the HVAC system. However, the air filter must be changed every 90 days or so. Your pre-spring checkup is an opportunity to do a quick check on the filter. If you see that it is clogged with dust and dirt, you can take it out and replace it with a new one. In the case of washable filters, you will simply need to remove the filter, wash it, and then reinsert it.
Hiring Experts for Air Duct Cleaning in Greenville SC
You can perform most of the pre-spring HVAC inspection checklist items listed above on your own. However, if you notice poor AC performance, knocking noise, duct clogging, air leaks, poor insulation, or any other problems, you will need the help of HVAC experts.
Here at General Air, we have been delivering world-class HVAC services to Greenville businesses and homeowners for many years. We take pride in an exceptional quality of service. Whether you want air duct cleaning, sealing, insulation installation, AC service and maintenance, or any other HVAC service, we have got you covered. Call us now to hire our services or get a free estimate.
