Springtime HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Finally! It seemed that spring would never arrive. Goodbye, cold weather, and hello warmth. Flowers and gardening, hikes, and cookouts are all in your near future. In another few days, it will be time to time to turn on the air conditioner. Ah, air conditioning is a comfortable retreat when the summer heat cranks up.

If you look forward to air conditioning on hot summer days, here are some things you can do to enhance your air conditioner’s benefit.

HVAC Maintenance Tip: Keep it Clean

Your air conditioner circulates a lot of air—the entire volume of your home moves two or three times with every cooling cycle. All that air is moving through a network of ducts and one air filter. The moving air constantly picks up airborne particles and the filter is constantly trapping particles.

The outdoor portion of your air conditioner is facing the same problem. A fan moves a lot of air through the very small fins to cool the hot refrigerant gas. Dust and pollen get trapped between the fin, reducing the efficiency of the condenser unit. Both indoors and outdoors, dust and dirt are the enemies of your air conditioner.

• Make sure to change the air filter regularly—at least every three months.
• Clean ductwork every three to five years
• Schedule annual maintenance to make sure the system gets thoroughly cleaned.

HVAC Maintenance Tip: Well Used Fans

A key to good air conditioning is air movement, so fans are essential. A large fan—the blower—circulates a lot of air. Most homeowners set the Fan on “Auto,” running this big fan only during the cooling cycle. There are distinct advantages to using the “On” setting, running the fan continuously.

• Obviously, this will improve circulation. Moving air feels good and actually makes one feel cooler.
• Since the air is continuously moving through an air filter, it is constantly being cleaned. Running the fan all the time improves indoor air quality.
• Running the fan constantly actually uses less energy and saves money. Keeping a moving fan moving uses less energy than starting a still fan several times per hour.
• The moving air also removes humidity with more efficiency than cycling off and on.
• A fan in the “On” position creates less stress and wears the blower motor less. Eventually, that means a longer useful life for your air conditioner system.

HVAC Maintenance Tip: Thermostat Savvy

Early thermostats were simple analog switches, with heat and cool settings, and fan On/Off settings. Currently, thermostats allow advanced programming, with comfort and savings settings. Learning the steps to properly program is not hard, and the results are worth the effort.

• First, determine the optimum temperature setting. This is a personal choice, but it usually is a group decision. A comfortable and efficient range lies between 72 and 78⁰. Comfort will determine your settings.
• Another factor uses the technology of air conditioning: air conditioners function most efficiently by changing the indoor temperature within 10⁰ of the average outdoor temperature. Using this principle will not result in comfort, but it demonstrates how energy efficiency works.
• Combining comfort and efficiency takes a little compromising and a little programming. Energy, and therefore, cost savings will take a reduction in air conditioning for at least 8 hours per day. Programming a temperature change that reduces air conditioning demand during the evening or while the house is empty during the day will accomplish this reduction. A 30-minute cooling transition time can also be programmed to bring the home back to a comfortable setting.

Have Questions about HVAC Maintenance?

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and HVAC Maintenance, schedule an appointment, or visit our  AC Maintenance information page.