Before you need to turn your air conditioner on for the summer, schedule the projects involved in HVAC spring cleaning. Although you’ll have to hire an HVAC pro to tackle some of the routine maintenance, you can undertake a few of the important elements of cleaning it to improve its efficiency, performance and durability.
- Inspect the outdoor condenser. Remove any dead vegetation close to the condenser by raking or using a leaf blower. Dirt and dust on the fins and condenser coil collect over the winter and should be removed by vacuuming and rinsing. Use the soft brush attachment with the vacuum to clean the fins. Gently spray the fins and coil with the hose, taking care not to bend the fins.
- Check the air filter for the blower compartment. A clean filter is essential for achieving the best energy efficiency your system has to offer. It’s important to check it monthly when your A/C runs routinely and change it when it’s covered with dust. Not only does a dirty air filter slow the air flowing through the blower, it can also deposit excess dust on the air conditioner’s parts that will contribute to wear and tear, as well as higher energy consumption.
- Clean the drain pan at the base of the blower compartment if you can reach it easily as part of your HVAC spring cleaning. The condensation from the evaporator coil collects in the pan and drain away through the condensate line. A dirty pan promotes bacterial and mold growth, and any clogs in the drain can flood the drain pan and the area surrounding the blower compartment.
- Dust off the register covers if they sit on the wall or ceilings. If your ducts come up from the floor, remove the register covers and gently scrub them in the sink. Vacuum the ducts just beneath the registers with the soft brush attachment.
All these tasks associated with HVAC spring cleaning help your system run throughout the season, as does professional annual maintenance. To learn more, contact Ace Hardware Home Services, serving the HVAC needs of Dayton-area homeowners.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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