Spring HVAC Tips for Southern New Hampshire
SkyWalker HVAC Co-owner Ryan Walker
So I just got back from a short family trip to Florida, and well, there is still snow on the ground here in Southern New Hampshire. I know, I know I keep telling myself April is a few weeks away and that means baseball and grass before we know it!
It's been a long winter already in Southern New Hampshire, but with April right around the corner, Spring is a great time to check a few things on your HVAC units. The in-between seasons are best for scheduled maintenance. With winter heating units getting ready to take a much-needed break or switching to air conditioning, we often find that this is the downtime for those hard-working HVAC systems to get looked at and serviced.
Why Spring is the Best Time in Southern New Hampshire to do HVAC Maintenance
Waiting until just before summer can often put pressure on scheduling and not leave enough time to service HVAC Systems properly. Especially if your Air Conditioning unit needs to be serviced before the summer, or if you need to look into getting some new Air Conditioning for those humid Southern New Hampshire summers.
No worries if you don’t have ductwork in your house. There are new energy-efficient ductless, Mini-Split Air Conditioning options that even have significant REBATES. I mean I don’t know about you, but having to put those bulky air conditioning window units in and out every spring and fall is not my idea of a fun weekend.
With the HVAC REBATE Program for Southern New Hampshire:
We can guide you and help you save the maximum amount on a new Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump, or if you do have a ducted system in your house, the Southern New Hampshire REBATE program qualifies for Ducted Heat Pumps as well. You can read more about the REBATE program here.
If you don’t need a new HVAC Air Conditioning System, I put a great spring maintenance list for Southern New Hampshire below:
Before we give you a list of Spring Maintenance Tips for HVAC Systems, you can always call us for a scheduled annual maintenance appointment. A yearly service appointment increases efficiency, which reduces energy consumption and lowers your utility bill. It is estimated that regular service appointments by a qualified technician prevent about 70% of all outages and can increase system lifespan by up to 50%.
We offer 100% Satisfaction guaranteed.
Don’t worry winter is almost over!
Spring is coming!
HVAC Maintenance Tips to do in The Spring for Southern New Hampshire
#1 Time to Replace that old HVAC Filter -
Let’s face it, most of us don’t clean or change the filters enough, and Spring is a great time to do just that. Dirty filters hinder airflow and can even cause mold growth. An old filter is often the cause for an HVAC AC unit to use more energy, trying to work harder because an inefficient air filter. When an air filter is blocked, it is harder for the air to reach the rooms, and even cause the coils to freeze.
Consider upgrading the filter as well. Homeowners can improve air quality and system performance with a new, high-efficiency pleated filter. A step up from the standard filter, these have an electrostatic charge to attract particles of dust and bacteria and trap them inside the filter.
#2 Check the Outdoor HVAC Unit -
Check your outdoor unit for any signs of damage that may have occurred during the winter. Clean out any debris that might be around or on your unit. Check the condenser for signs that it has been damaged during the winter, as falling ice or snow build-up can sometimes damage it. If anything at all looks questionable, don’t hesitate to call us. The condenser is a vital component of the air conditioner. At SkyWalker HVAC, we will come to inspect it with a scheduled appointment. Cut back bushes and plants that are growing around the unit. Use a garden house to clean off the coils. In the winter build up is common. You can also use a vacuum to do this as well. All of this helps the unit run more efficiently and safely.
If you plan on new spring landscaping projects, assess how they will affect your HVAC unit. All bushes and plants should be at least two feet away in clearance. You need proper air flow around the unit.
#3 Go Ahead and test the Air Conditioning System -
It seems simple, but turning the unit on is a great way to see if everything is working before you actually need it to cool your house. Set your thermostat a few degrees cooler than the indoor temperature and turn the HVAC unit on. Wait 15 minutes and then see if air is coming out of the vents. Make sure the air is cool and coming out with adequate air flow.
Then, if everything looks good, go ahead and check the indoor unit and listen for unusual sounds or anything different from what you remember. Also go outside and listen to the outdoor HVAC unit. Make sure it is running smoothly, any strange sounds again might indicate an issue. If you have any questions, call us, and we will help!
#4 Get the Ducted System Cleaned Out -
Indoor air quality is something we are continually learning to be very important. The Spring is a great time to get the ductwork cleaned out. After a long winter, the ducts can build up with mold, dust, pollen, or other particles that can aggravate allergies. It is a critical service that we recommend doing every 5 years to ensure your air quality is healthy. People forget that in the summer months, when air conditioners are on, the indoor air is only as good as your air filters, and how clean your ductwork is, so don’t neglect this vital step.
#5 Upgrade Your Thermostat -
A Smart Thermostat is a programmable thermostat that can reduce costs and maintenance. Please take advantage of this technology by helping your HVAC unit to run at its top efficiency. It reduces energy usage and utility bill costs by optimizing the temperature through the day. You can program the system to go up and down at precisely the correct times for your lifestyle to ensure no energy is wasted.
It is a simple upgrade if you haven’t done it yet, and trust us, it will help even extend the life of your HVAC system by only operating at the rate that is needed.
#6 Give Your Ceiling Fan Blades the Right Rotation -
For your Air Conditioning to work at its peak efficiency, you need your blades to turn in a counter-clockwise direction. This is opposite of what you want a fan to do in the winter months, so make sure you switch the fan's direction for summer. You would be surprised how many homes have the fan blades going in the wrong direction depending on the season we are in.
Having the ceiling blades going in the wrong direction not only wastes energy but actually pushes the cool air in the wrong direction and puts stress on the HVAC System to operate more often and harder to maintain the thermostat temperature setting. Using a ceiling fan will allow you to set the temperature of your thermostat up to 4 degrees higher for summer or 4 degrees lower in winter. That's a pretty big difference in cost over the course of the season.
#7 Check Your House for Air Gaps -
No matter how well you maintain your HVAC System, it will always depend on how well a building is sealed. If air gaps are common in a house, you will cause the HVAC system to work much harder, and this will affect the life of the unit and drive up utility bills. Take time to see where you might be allowing air to enter the home. Around doors and windows are the most common, especially with weather stripping that has failed or been removed.
Time has a way of causing weather stripping to crack, deteriorate, and even fall off. Most of us are too busy to notice if this has happened. Taking a half-hour to investigate around the building will in the long run save money.
#8 Schedule an Annual HVAC Maintenance Servicing -
It is recommended to at least once a year have all your HVAC Systems serviced and maintained by a certified technician. At SkyWalker HVAC, we know what to look for and can save you time by efficiently knowing what to look for and how to optimize your HVAC units. This low-cost service has been proven to save customers money in the long run by fixing problematic issues that are small now and prolonging the life expectancy of HVAC systems. Don’t wait!
Our Certified technicians will check refrigerant levels and test the airflow and output of the system. They will tighten all the main electrical connections and hoses. Plus, the tech will look for signs of wear on key components, including the compressor, tubing, fan, and motor blades.
Get a jump on the season and schedule a maintenance check right here on our website, or give Debbie a call in the office today!
