Spring’s an ideal time to service and prepare your HVAC system for the hot summer months that lie ahead. Your home’s heating and cooling system accounts for up to 40 percent of a household’s annual energy use. Scheduling spring A/C maintenance is a great way to keep your system running in top condition and as efficiently as possible.
Several steps taken by a homeowner can keep their unit running efficiently and reduce added stress to the unit:
- Removing grass, leaves and other debris that might collect around the outside condensing coils allows a clear path for the unit to breath. Reduced airflow to the condensing unit can reduce its efficiency significantly.
- Rinse the outside condensing unit regularly to remove dust and dirt that can collect on the unit’s fins.
- Clean the inside registers and returns to eliminate dirt and dust that can make its way back to the evaporator coils and reduce efficiency. Maintain a clear path for all registers and returns to allow your system to circulate freely.
- Inspect, clean or replace the air filter regularly to protect the evaporator coils. A clean filter can reduce your system’s energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent.
When you hire a NATE-certified technician to perform spring A/C maintenance on your HVAC system, you can expect the tech to perform the following inspections and procedures.
- Check refrigerant levels with professional gauges and test for leaks.
- Inspect and seal any leaking ducts around the central system.
- Measure system evaporator airflow and verify that the thermostat’s operating correctly.
- Inspect belts and lubricate blower and fan motors.
- Tighten loose electrical connections and apply non-conductive coatings when necessary.
- Test the electric control sequence to verify it’s working properly.
Homeowners seeking additional expert advice regarding spring A/C maintenance can contact Rheem Pro Partner. Rheem Pro Partner consists of independently owned heating and cooling contractors that serve the Denver, Colorado Springs and northern Colorado areas, as well as the Casper and Cheyenne areas of Wyoming.
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