It’s Springtime! You are probably chasing away cobwebs in the corners of your house and banishing dust from your baseboards, but have you thought about how to clean your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system?
HVAC systems are easy to forget about. However, by keeping your system clean, you can effectively and efficiently control the airflow in your home.
6 Tips For a Clean HVAC System
1. Replace Your Filters
Be sure your air filters are clean! A dirty filter cannot do its job. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends replacing the filter at least every three months. However, you may want to replace it more often if you have pets or a family member who suffers from allergies.
Not all filters are built the same. Check your current filter’s MERV rating and make sure it is filtering out the particles you want to eliminate from the air. The filter’s dimensions will be printed on it, which will help you get the right size when you buy a new filter.
Remember to place the new filter in place with the arrow printed on the filter’s outer edge facing the same direction as the airflow.
2. Clean the Area Surrounding Your HVAC Unit
If you have a condenser, it can usually be found behind or on the side of your house.
If you see any dirt, leaves, branches, grass, or other plants growing into, sticking out of, or very close to the unit, get rid of them! Any debris two feet or closer to your unit should be removed.
The outside unit has a compressor, condenser coil, and a fan. These components may also need some cleaning because they do much of the work to ensure your house stays at a comfortable temperature.
It is good to gently wash away dirt and debris that may have collected on the condenser coils while they were not in use.
WARNING: Never work on a powered appliance! Before you begin maintenance on your unit, be sure it is not powered by turning off your thermostat and switching off the breaker and fuse.
A garden hose is an easy way to clean off your unit with low pressure to avoid damaging the unit. There are also cleaning products to help clean condenser coils specifically.
If you want a more in-depth description of how to clean your unit, this video does an excellent job of showing how to clean your outside unit safely and correctly.
3. Clean the Vents and Registers
Air vents and floor registers (also called floor vents) can collect a hefty amount of dirt and debris. These crucial elements ensure that the HVAC system gets the airflow it needs and how the cool air is distributed through your home. Too much debris can clog your system and cause problems. Wipe down and vacuum each vent and register in your home. For a deeper clean, use the vacuum hose to loosen up the dirt, then a butter knife covered with a duster rag to get all the hard-to-reach spots.
4. Test the AC
To avoid suffering from scorching temperatures, be sure to check if your system is working correctly prior to needing it. By ensuring your air conditioner can turn on and cool down your home, you will not be one of those poor souls calling the already overbooked HVAC repairmen in a panic.
Simply, change your system to air conditioning, set the thermostat to a lower temperature to see if your air conditioning begins to run. If you can feel cool air coming out of your vents, you are good to go!
If there is no cold air, call a professional to look into this.
5. Reset Your Thermostat
Many HVAC systems have programmable thermostats. Be sure your thermostat is set to fit your new temperature preferences and accommodate any schedule changes. This can save you money and help keep your system from overworking.
When you leave your home for a long period of time, set your thermostat to a temperature closer to what the ambient outdoor temperature is. Then, about an hour before you return, have your thermostat change the temperature back to be more comfortable for you and your family. This will help you save some cash on your electric bill while staying happy at home.
However, this may not be a good option for homes that are not well insulated. If it seems like your HVAC system has difficulty changing temperatures quickly, it is better to keep the same temperature all day.
6. Have a Professional Inspect and Clean Ducts
Ducts should be checked and cleaned every 3-5 years. So, if it has been about that amount of time, call your favorite HVAC technician to come to take a gander at your system.
Clogged ducts block airflow and are bacteria, insects, and dust mites’ favorite places to hang out. This is also a good opportunity for the technician to spot any other significant problems that could later cause your system to fail.
Happy HVAC, Happy Life
These simple tips will help you and your HVAC be ready for anything Mother Nature can throw your way!
Taking good care of your equipment will help prevent any problems with your system when you need it, save you money, and keep allergies under control with suitable filters. Unsure about which filter is suitable for you or want some more tips on HVAC maintenance? ISC Sales has experts on staff ready to answer any lingering questions you might have.
