A Good Spring Cleaning: An HVAC Maintenance Checklist for March

You’ve been hibernating away from the cold, but March is the month when things finally start to warm up. If you’re like many homeowners, you may be excited to leave winter in the dust and throw open the windows. Amid the flurry of straightening up and cleaning, don’t ignore your furnace and air conditioning system. After all, spring is the prelude to another sweltering summer, making this a great time to get your HVAC system in the best shape. Not sure what spring cleaning your HVAC system includes? Add these things to your March home maintenance checklist.

Replace the Air Filter

The air filter is an extremely important piece of your HVAC system, protecting delicate equipment from airborne particles and promoting cleaner indoor air. Routinely replace the air filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you have pets in the household or someone in your home has allergies, change the filter up to once a month to preserve indoor air quality. If not, replacing your old filter with a new one every three months is enough. In addition to removing airborne pollutants more successfully, a clean filter promotes better airflow to boost system efficiency by up to 15%.

Examine the Condensate Drain

Your air conditioner doesn’t just cool your property—it also dehumidifies. The condensate drain is the key to carrying away unwanted moisture from your AC. The drain should be free-flowing and the connecting hose should be leak-free and correctly placed. Check on your condensate drain whenever you replace the filter to keep your system running efficiently—and also help you spot warning signs of water damage.

Get the Air Moving

Before switching on your AC for the first time this spring, open your windows and doors to let the spring air flow into your residence. If the air inside your home often feels stale or stuff, you may benefit by adding a whole-house ventilation system. This upgrade blows stale air outside and replaces it with clean, fresh air from outside. Certain equipment pre-cools and dehumidifies incoming air to minimize the impact on your energy costs while helping you breathe cleaner, healthier air.

Deep Clean Your Home

Meticulously cleaning your home complements your HVAC maintenance checklist by decreasing the amount of dust and allergens that circulate through the system. Pay specific attention to these locations:

  • Dust ceiling fan blades.
  • Seal gaps around windows and doors using caulk or weather stripping.
  • Scrub sliding glass door tracks.
  • Remove dirt, pet hair and dust bunnies from the coils located beneath or behind the refrigerator.
  • Dust light fixtures and switch out old incandescent bulbs for energy-saving LEDs.

Adjust Your Thermostat

If you haven’t yet explored programmable or smart thermostats, spring is a great time to consider this budget-friendly upgrade. A programmable thermostat makes a huge difference in your home’s comfort and energy consumption. Start by setting the temperature to 78 degrees F when you’re at home. After that, plan automatic setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees when no one is home during the day. With recovery periods planned for your arrival time, you can enjoy up to 10% energy savings without sacrificing comfort.

A smart thermostat takes these advantages a step further by letting you make changes remotely. You can also keep track of your energy consumption in a mobile app and get customized, cost-cutting advice.

Check Your Ductwork

Ductwork can develop leaks that compromise air quality and raise your energy costs. Sealing these leaks helps your AC run more efficiently and move clean, healthy air. Once sealed, insulate your ductwork to keep the air cool on its way to supply registers throughout your home.

Hose Debris From the Outside Unit

The exterior condenser unit accumulates debris during the icy-cold months. Here’s how to spring clean it this March:

  • Rake leaves, pine needles and grass clippings from around the unit.
  • Gently rinse the metal fins to remove dirt and cobwebs.
  • Remove adjacent shrubs and grasses to create a one- to two-foot clearance.
  • Examine the unit for damage, such as missing insulation or bent fins.
  • Consult with a professional technician for AC service before the summer heat takes hold. 

Test Your HVAC Unit

After completing your spring cleaning checklist, it’s time to try out your HVAC system. Let it operate for several minutes to check for adequate cooling. If you encounter any issues, double-check the thermostat settings before contacting a professional for help.

Schedule AC Services in Calgary with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning

If your heating and cooling system needs expert service this spring, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is the team for the job. Our HVAC solutions help keep your home comfortable and energy efficient throughout the year. Enjoy fast, long-lasting solutions to all your comfort issues, backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. That’s right—if you’re not totally happy with our solutions, we’ll make it right. For a spring-ready AC system that promises efficiency and peace of mind, call 403-279-5760 to reach the heating and cooling specialists at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today.

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