Summer weather in Cheyenne, WY brings with it some warmer temperatures that make an efficient AC all the more important. But after sitting unused all winter, it might need a little attention to perform optimally throughout the summer. This is why spring maintenance is of such value for your home’s comfort and energy consumption.
Change the Air Filter
There are several things you can do in the spring to help your AC perform better, starting with a filter change. As time passes, lots of dust and dirt can accumulate in and around the cooling equipment. It’s the filter’s job to trap these elements to prevent them from entering the system. But the more dust and dirt the filter traps, the less effective it becomes. Changing the filter once every one to three months will keep it working efficiently. With less dust and dirt buildup, the home’s air quality will improve. This not only helps the cooling equipment last longer but also reduces allergy and asthma symptoms.
Open All Air Vents
A lot of people will close air vents in rooms where they want to prevent heating or cooling. It’s okay to do this but only for short periods of time. Closed air vents cause pressure imbalances in HVAC systems by restricting airflow. These imbalances hurt energy efficiency and put unnecessary strain on the equipment, which can lead to premature repairs. As part of your spring maintenance, make sure to check your home for any closed vents. It will be much easier for the AC to circulate air freely and provide cool temperatures throughout the house.
Clean All Air Vents
After you check to make sure all vents are open, wipe them down with a moist cloth. The goal is to keep them clean of any dirt and dust buildup to improve airflow. Using disinfectant wipes to wipe down the vents is a great way to make your house more sanitary.
Vacuum Air Vents
It also helps to vacuum inside the vents. A lot of debris can build up inside the vents over time, including hair and dust. If you have pets, vacuuming the vents is especially necessary because of pet dander. You don’t want the dander settling into the vents because this can affect air quality and make allergies worse. Using a vacuum with a hose attachment will make the cleaning process easier.
Check Thermostat Calibration
Your thermostat serves as the central hub of your home’s climate control system. It sends messages to the AC telling it what temperature to achieve. When it doesn’t work correctly, it can lead to inconsistent temperatures and hot and cold spots. Even worse, this causes the AC to waste energy, which results in higher cooling bills. The spring is the perfect time to check the thermostat’s calibration. All you need to do this task is a separate thermometer. If the AC’s thermostat is off by even one or two degrees, you should replace it with a new one.
Maintain Two-Foot Clearance Around Outdoor Unit
Whether you’re using a forced-air system or a ductless model like a heat pump, your cooling system has an outdoor part. It normally comes in the form of a compressor, condenser, fan and refrigerant lines. All of these outdoor components need proper air circulation to function properly. To ensure this, you’ll need to keep a two-foot clearance around the outdoor parts at all times. This might require taking time to trim back shrubbery and bushes. If there are any overhanging tree branches, you’ll want to trim them back as well. This will prevent them from falling on the outdoor components if they were to break off.
Schedule Professional Tune-Up
Although self-maintenance is possible for many tasks, professional AC tune-ups remain vital for complete system maintenance. A skilled technician can easily find potential problems, clean internal components and confirm operational functionality. Many experts agree that a spring tune-up offers the best preparation method for your system to handle summer temperatures. And when well-maintained, cooling systems can last up to five years longer than those that go without tune-ups.
Advanced Comfort Solutions offers reliable HVAC tune-ups in Cheyenne, WY. We also specialize in heat pump installations, HVAC repairs and indoor air quality. Call the air conditioning services pros at Advanced Comfort Solutions to book a spring HVAC tune-up for your home in Cheyenne.
