Get Your AC Set for Spring with Seasonal Maintenance

Tune Up Your AC With A Springtime Checkup

After braving another bone-chilling winter, you can finally see warmer days on the horizon. As spring arrives, you start to count the days until you’ll need to switch from heating your home to cooling it. Is your air conditioning ready to meet the challenge of keeping your family comfortable as temperatures rise? Follow the advice of a reliable HVAC contractor in Santa Rosa and follow this simple springtime air conditioning maintenance checklist.



Have Your HVAC Contractor in Santa Rosa Take a Look Outside

The first step to any spring air conditioning checkup should be taking a close look at the outside unit. Even a brief visual inspection can reveal obvious signs of damage or a covering of leaves and debris. However, a closer look could turn up more important issues, such as a clogged drain line. One of the most important things to look for is whether your AC unit’s condenser coil is in good shape, an assessment that is far easier for an HVAC professional to make than it would be for you as an untrained homeowner.

Assuming that your seasonal inspection doesn’t reveal any serious concerns, you can make the process of checking out your AC easier in the future by keeping the unit and the area around it clean. Cleaning off accumulated leaves, litter or other debris is a simple step you can take to keep your air conditioning unit both accessible and functional. Maintaining a clean and hazard-free environment around your outdoor equipment should be a no-brainer in every season, no matter what type of HVAC system you have.

Placing Fresh Filters for Pollen Season

The vital role filters play in preventing your ducts and registers from becoming clogged with dust can’t be overstated, not to mention preventing your air conditioning from blowing contaminants, dust and allergens into the air your family breathes. For this reason, regularly changing your filters is a given no matter the time of year. The seasonal allergens that come along with the blossoms of spring, however, can make this basic task even more imperative.

Luckily, filter changes are a simple job that you are likely already doing or can easily learn to do. All you have to do is open the grille that covers your filter, note the dimensions of the filter you have, purchase a replacement of the same size and then place it in its slot exactly as the original filter was.

When it comes to your spring AC checkup, you may wonder whether switching to a more heavy-duty HEPA filter makes sense; as mentioned, allergens are at their worst during this time of year. However, you also have to make sure that you choose a filter that won’t negatively impact the function of your system by restricting air too much. It’s always best to consult an HVAC contractor in Santa Rosa if you have any questions about the right filters for your home’s HVAC setup.

Time to Give Your Thermostat a Try-out

Even a good quality thermostat usually won’t last longer than ten years or so, and many need replacing even sooner. Testing your thermostat in the spring will ensure that it’s still able to sense temperature and control your air conditioning properly when you need it. This is advisable even if the thermostat is only a few years old, and it’s a must if it’s nearing the end of its life. If you do find that the time has come to switch out your thermostat, you may want to investigate programmable or “smart” versions for their energy efficiency and convenience.

Duct Cleaning: An Option to Consider

Whether your ductwork needs to be cleaned seasonally, annually or less frequently depends on many variables unique to your local environment. Sometimes a dusty or burning smell is a clue that your ducts need maintenance, but this can be more obvious in the colder months when using the heat than it is when you switch to the AC. Even if your ducts are not particularly dirty, having a professional inspect them at least once can be a good idea if only to ensure there is no damage or air leakage that could undermine the function of your HVAC system.

The Value of an HVAC Contractor Santa Rosa Springtime Checkup

Having a professional assess your unit and complete seasonal preventive maintenance is your best bet for ensuring that your air conditioning will serve you well in the warmer months ahead. Your HVAC contractor in Santa Rosa will know precisely what to look out for and may catch small issues that you would overlook. In addition to the basics of replacing filters and cleaning off coils, maintaining your AC unit can also entail handling electrical components and chemicals – tasks always best left to the experts. When you’re ready for a springtime AC checkup, contact the pros at Next Level HVAC to get the job done right.