Tips to Make Sure Your HVAC System is Ready for Spring

Spring has officially sprung and you know what that means: spring cleaning! From dusting off your shelves to removing clutter around the house, this time of year is an excellent reminder to spruce up all aspects of your home—including your HVAC system.

After the long cold months you’ve spent hibernating indoors, your HVAC system has been putting in overtime to keep you and your family warm. HVAC maintenance is crucial to keeping your unit in great condition while also helping it prepare for the warmer months ahead. Taking a few simple steps to update and maintain your HVAC system can help get it ready to make the switch from warm to cool air.

Spring HVAC Tips

We always recommend having a trained and certified HVAC technician, like those at Bradley Mechanical, provide proper HVAC maintenance. This is due to the complexity of HVAC systems, as well as the additional work that could come with improving home performance. Here are some of our top tips to make sure your HVAC system is ready for spring:

Change your air filters.

When the seasons change, so should your air filters. After spending more time indoors during the winter months, air filters are typically due for a replacement come spring. Depending on the amount of use, air filters should be changed every 30 to 90 days. Air filters are vital to keeping the air in your home clean and free of dust and debris that can trigger allergies. Also, dirty air filters can cause your HVAC system to work harder due to poor airflow. Make it a habit to check your air filters every month and change them no longer than every three months.

Clear the outdoor unit.

Have you ever taken a good look at your condensing unit? It’s the HVAC equipment outside of your house. Every now and then, it needs to be inspected for damage or blockage. During the winter months, trash, debris and overgrown foliage could have found their way near the unit. This could reduce your HVAC system’s performance and increase your heating and cooling costs during the spring and summer.

Clearing a minimum 2-foot area around the condensing unit can help avoid issues. While indoors, we also make sure the vents and air handlers are free of any blockage as well. Keeping the air flowing freely is key to your HVAC system performing its best.

Seal your ducts.

It is estimated around 20-30% of conditioned air escapes a home’s ductwork through cracks and gaps. Sealing and insulating your ducts can greatly help reduce that air loss. Research has shown more than 60% of homes in America have these kinds of issues with their ductwork. If you suspect your HVAC system may be losing airflow, Bradley Mechanical can perform an air leakage evaluation to help determine the source of your problem.

Check your refrigerant level.

Not enough refrigerant will result in reduced efficiency of your HVAC system. Likewise, too much may also increase your energy costs. Checking the level and making sure it’s at the appropriate level and doesn’t show any signs of leaking or damage can be a great way to ensure cool air all summer long.

Upgrade your thermostat.

A quick, convenient and cost-effective way to enhance the performance of your HVAC system is to install a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats can learn your heating and cooling habits, automatically adjust accordingly, and even offer energy tips and reports. If you own a business, you may even qualify for a rebate incentive for making energy efficiency improvements. Bradley Mechanical can help you select the thermostat that is right for your home, and our certified technicians can easily install it.

Become an ESA Pro Member

Ready for an HVAC tune-up? We recommend you have your HVAC system professionally inspected and serviced twice a year. Routine maintenance helps your system to operate at its peak performance, reducing wear and tear, thus extending the life of your HVAC equipment.

Bradley Mechanical proudly offers its customers routine maintenance twice a year through our Energy Savings Agreement (ESA PRO) program. As an ESA PRO Member, customers get a detailed system cleaning and inspection with a few perks. After having an HVAC tune-up performed, customers often see a 15-30% increase in system efficiency.

Give the experts of Bradley Mechanical a call today. Our trained and certified HVAC technicians have been serving our community’s homes and businesses for over 50 years. Let’s work together to make your home comfortable this spring and summer!