Spring cleaning is a common way to reset your home and your life before the upcoming season. Many tasks involve decluttering, deep cleaning, letting natural light into the home, and performing yearly maintenance on home systems. HVAC systems are just one item that should be added to your spring cleaning checklist. While many homeowners know where they need to start deep cleaning or decluttering, they may not know what tasks are needed to reset an HVAC system for the new season. Here is our spring cleaning checklist that can help set up your HVAC for the new season. This list is not exhaustive, but it is a great place to start and determine if you need the additional help of a professional.

Replace Air Filters

One of the first things that can become damaged or dirty in your system is the air filters. These filters help block pollutants and allergens from circulating around the home, helping everyone in the home breathe easier. Air filters get clogged because of the amount of dust, dead skin cells, pet dander, and allergens that we let into the air. Replacing the air filters during your spring cleaning will help reduce odors in your home and prevent musty air. When you first turn on your air conditioner during the spring season, it may be followed by a dusty or dirty smell. This is commonly because dirty air filters have sat all winter and need to be replaced in order for the system to operate efficiently.

Check Refrigerant Levels

Another aspect that is crucial to efficient operation is the refrigerant in an air conditioner. Pushing cool air into the home is only possible if the system has a way to cool the air, either through refrigerant or another cooling element. It is important to fill up the refrigerant or inspect the cooling element before running the system on a warm day. If the cooling system is not able to keep up with the warmer air outside, you will not notice a difference inside the home. Without prior experience, it can be difficult to tell if the refrigerant level is low. Contacting an HVAC team can help you achieve the right coolant level and rule out any leaks.

Test The Thermostat

Malfunctioning thermostats can affect the comfort of your home and make it difficult to control the temperature as the weather changes outside. Assessing your thermostat or reprogramming a smart thermostat will help the system run when it is warming up outside. Ensure that the thermostat is reading the temperature correctly and is coming on when the temperature dips below your set temperature. This is where hiring a professional team can be beneficial, as it can be difficult to know if your thermostat is functioning properly. Contacting an expert can help you perform tune-ups and repairs that you may need for a functional thermostat.

Have Ducts Inspected And Sealed

Leaky ductwork can result in energy loss and put strain on your entire system. Having the ducts inspected and sealing any cracks during spring cleaning will ensure that you keep the air free of debris and prevent air loss. The less air that flows through the ductwork, will cause the system will work to keep the home at a comfortable temperature. 

Inspecting the ducts will also ensure that there is not excessive build-up or mold growth inside the ducts. Having clear ductwork will ensure that the air can flow to every corner and doesn’t spread harmful spores throughout the home.

Circulate Fresh Air Through The Home Before Turning On The System

Before you flip on the AC, consider circulating air or letting in fresh air to the home first. Running fans or opening windows can help remove stale or stagnant air that could be circulated through the ductwork. Letting the new air into the home will help reduce strong odors or excessive dust from filling your freshly cleaned home.

If you are bustling around spring cleaning your home and the weather is starting to warm up, you may want to kick on the AC, but opening windows or doors may actually be more beneficial. Fresh air and natural sunlight will help boost your mood and are also natural antibacterials. This can help enhance the tasks you are doing for spring cleaning inside or outside.

Ask An HVAC Expert For Help

TriForce HVAC is here to help homeowners who need to upgrade their system or improve their current system. Our HVAC experts specialize in air conditioning tune-ups, furnace repairs, and whole system replacements. Let us help you tackle some of your spring cleaning checklist by allowing us to perform tune-ups and repairs on your air conditioner.