The arrival of spring is the perfect time to get your HVAC system ready for warmer weather. By preparing your system, you can ensure that it will function properly throughout the rest of spring and on into the summer. Handling this now may even save you a considerable amount of money later on in the year. Tackle the following HVAC home maintenance tasks this spring to make your home more comfortable and take advantage of savings.

Check and Change the Air Filter

The HVAC system’s air filter traps contaminants in the air like dust, pet dander and pollen. Replacing the filter regularly is an important part of HVAC home maintenance that can improve the quality of your indoor air while also protecting HVAC system. Dust and other particulates can hinder the efficiency of HVAC components and cause the system to fail. In fact, dust and debris are among the most common causes of HVAC system failures. To ensure healthy indoor air and a optimal HVAC system, check the air filter monthly and replace it as soon as buildup is visible.

Get a Professional Inspection and Tune-Up

Having your heating and cooling system checked and maintained by an HVAC professional is one of the best ways to ensure it continues to function efficiently. Experienced HVAC technicians will have the skills, tools and experience to spot and fix potential problems with your system. Inspections and tune-ups can also help keep energy costs down and prevent the need for expensive repairs.

Seal and Insulate Ducts

If you have leaky ductwork, you could be losing as much as 25 percent of your energy. Additionally, leaking ducts can make your home feel overly hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. During an HVAC inspection, an HVAC professional can look for duct leaks, seal those that are found, and install ductwork insulation where needed.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Keeping your home cool during the summer can be extremely expensive, especially in Florida. You may be tempted to lower the temperature on your thermostat and keep it down all day, every day. This isn’t smart or feasible.

A programmable thermostat can help you keep your home cool without causing your energy bills to spike. It allows you to set the thermostat according to your family’s schedule. Some programmable thermostats even offer you the ability to set temperatures in your home remotely from a PC or smartphone. You can keep the temperature high in the middle part of the day when there’s no one home and lower it to a comfortable level right before you return.

Think About Replacing an Old HVAC System

You should consider replacing an HVAC system with a more energy efficient model. This is especially important if it’s more than 10 years old. Newer systems are considerably more efficient than older ones — as much as 50 percent in some cases — which means that your unit could wind up paying for itself in a relatively short time. Newer systems are also much less likely to fail, so you’ll be saving on repair costs as well.

Perform a Test Run

This HVAC home maintenance task involves letting your HVAC system run for a short time at the start of the season. A test run can help you to spot any problems before temperatures really rise in the middle of spring and in the summer. Contact an HVAC professional to resolve any issues that you spot.

Clean the Outdoor Coils

Over the winter, the outdoor condenser can accumulate a layer of leaves, branches and other debris. Some of this may have fallen into the cabinet around the condenser. As a part of HVAC home maintenance, it may be necessary remove the cabinet and clean the coils. An HVAC professional will be able to perform this task for you during an inspection and tune up.

Learn more about Ocean State Air Conditioning and Heating’s HVAC home maintenance service or call us today at (904) 574-5619 to schedule an appointment!