Spring is the season for flower blooms, fresh starts, outdoor picnics, and much-needed spring cleaning! But don’t forget the most essential task—Getting your AC working well for the warm days ahead.
It’s not always as simple as switching out the dusty air filter. To prevent emergencies and expensive repairs, it’s wise to thoroughly inspect the HVAC system as you prepare for the exciting season around the corner.
Your local HVAC experts at Veterans AC & Heat are here to give you the top tips on ensuring your AC is ready for the spring. Continue reading to save yourself some hassle and start the season off right.
When Should You Turn the AC On for Spring?
In spring and summer heat, your HVAC puts in long hours of hard work. You may have used the AC less during the cooler winter months. However, if you’re a Florida resident, it’s more likely you kept the system running all season long. Let’s face it- cold days are few and far between in our tropical state.
For those living where the winters are brutally cold, your AC sits powered off for most of the season. When you get it back up and running for spring, it’s common to discover issues due to idle time. Floridians don’t typically have this issue. However, because of how hot our springs and summers get, it’s essential to check if your AC is working correctly. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with a faulty system during the toasty and humid spring weather.
We always recommend homeowners have their HVAC system inspected just before the temperatures start to rise as preventative maintenance. There are also things you can do on your own to ensure your AC is ready for spring.
Get Your AC Working Well for Spring
Preparing your AC for spring involves more than simply turning it on and seeing if it works. Without checking the key components of your HVAC system, you’re setting yourself up for major issues in the future. The good news is that the common problems can be prevented before they become expensive repairs.
Use the following information to ensure your HVAC is in working order for the warm spring season.
1 | Remove the Cover and Check for Issues
Covering your outdoor AC during the winter is an excellent way to keep out leaves and other debris when it’s not in use. So, if you had your outdoor unit covered over the winter, removing your AC is the first step to getting your AC working. Otherwise, when you start the system back up, damages may occur, resulting in pricey repairs.
Furthermore, remove any insulted covers you placed over the condenser coils to protect them from the chill. Without removing the covers, your machine will quickly malfunction, and it can cost a pretty penny to fix.
While you’re at it, check out the unit for potential damages or functional issues. Start by inspecting the outdoor unit panels. Are any panels missing? Are they properly aligned? If you discover any problems with the panels, call your local professionals before starting the system to prevent damage. Next, look at the lines and pipes. When these essential components are in bad condition, it can cause the system to work inefficiently and rack up your electricity bill.
Then, ensure the insulation is not worn or damaged. If you find any issues, schedule an inspection or head to the hardware store before starting the system. And finally, scan the entire system for cracks, holes, and active leaks and make any necessary repairs before the spring heat settles in.
2 | Switch the Breaker to “ON”
The next step to getting your AC working for spring is to switch the HVAC breaker to the “ON” position. This part of the process is only necessary if you turn the unit off from the electrical panel for the winter months. If you’re a local Floridian, you likely keep the system running through the season. But it’s always wise to check. This is a step many homeowners forget to do before attempting to power up the HVAC. Without checking the breaker, it’s easy to conclude that something is wrong with the unit. So, before you assume your HVAC is broken, inspect the switches at your electrical panel.
On the other hand, suppose you check the breaker and confirm the switch is in the “ON” position. However, when you go to power up the system, your machine fails to start. In this case, there is something wrong with the unit and calling the professionals is the way to go.
3 | Inspect the Air Filter
Changing the air filter for your HVAC is one of the easiest things you can do to prepare for the warmer weather. Not only is it the easiest, but it’s also one of the most important steps. When you leave a dirty air filter on your unit, it works extra hard to circulate the air. Instead of pulling air in through a clear filter, it uses more energy to suck it through dust, dirt, and debris. In other words, not regularly changing your air filter may result in a higher electricity bill.
Furthermore, dirty air filters agitate allergies, asthma symptoms, and respiratory illnesses. It’s vital to replace the old air filter with a fresh one if you want to have your AC working in tip-top shape for spring!
4 | Clear the HVAC of Dirt and Debris
Like your air filter, the unit must be clear of debris to work at its best. Otherwise, it will use more energy to circulate the air, and your monthly bill will increase. Use a hose to gently remove the mess if your HVAC system is clogged with dust, dirt, or pet dander.
5 | Control the Humidity to Keep Your AC Working
Through the dry and chilly winter season, you may have used a humidifier to make the indoors more comfortable. Humidifiers add moisture to the air to eliminate excessive dryness and irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat it causes.
Getting ready for spring is the perfect time to power down the humidifier as the moisture returns to the air. In Florida, it’s also wise to set up your dehumidifier. Tropical spring and summer seasons can become quite humid. And like a lack of humidity, too much of it may cause health issues and discomfort.
6 | Call Your Local Experts for Routine HVAC Maintenance
By far, the best way to ensure your AC is in working order for the change in weather is to schedule an appointment with your local HVAC experts. Even after completing all the steps above, there’s always a chance that you missed something. A trained professional can inspect the entire system and use their experience and knowledge to confirm that everything is ready for spring! In fact, you should schedule routine maintenance at least twice a year to avoid costly repairs and emergencies.
Beat the Heat this Spring and Keep Your AC Working!
There’s almost nothing worse than being forced to brave the heat of spring with no other option but to wait for emergency services to come to the rescue. Even if you check all the critical components of your AC before the season, it’s always possible that something goes wrong.
Veterans AC & Heat has your back! We are happy to save the day when your AC suddenly malfunctions. However, we encourage you to save yourself the hassle and schedule a regular inspection right before the start of the season.
Call Veterans AC & Heat to get your AC working perfectly for the warm weather around the corner.
