As spring arrives in the Solano and Yolo County areas of CA, it’s the ideal time to schedule routine maintenance for your HVAC system. This can help us catch issues early. Greiner Heating and Air is here to inspect and service your central air conditioner or ductless AC, ensuring efficiency, safety, and comfort all spring and summer.
Here are some ways your cooling system can be prepared for rising temperatures.
Make Sure To Change Your Filters Regularly
Your furnace’s filter should be changed approximately once every 30 to 90 days. This time frame depends on the type of filter you use and how frequently you use your heating and cooling equipment. Both units can be used during the spring when the days are warm and the evenings are cool.
Springtime usually brings a lot of pollen to the area. If you suffer from allergies, consider replacing your filter more frequently. This can help keep your sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes at bay.
You may want to consider upgrading to a filter that can trap more particulate matter. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV for short, is a rating system that describes how restrictive a specific filter is. Most residential HVAC systems can handle a MERV rating of around 12 or below. Anything higher than that will be too restrictive and can cause issues with your equipment.
Schedule Routine Maintenance With Us
It’s important to schedule routine maintenance for your AC system once a year. Many homeowners choose to have this service performed before the start of spring, when they rely heavily on their equipment to keep them comfortable. Additionally, we’re wrapping up winter, which can cause a lot of wear and tear on your HVAC equipment.
This appointment allows us to inspect all the components of your HVAC system. If we find anything wrong, we will make repairs and fine-tune your system. Addressing issues as early as possible is cost-effective and beneficial. It prevents more involved problems from developing that can be quite expensive to address.
Clean Your Outdoor Condenser Unit
Head to your outdoor air conditioning condenser and check to see if it’s showing any signs of damage. Inclement weather can cause debris to blow onto and into your condenser, leading to damage. Clear away any leaves, grass, and debris that you find. Peek inside your condenser to see if there is anything that has accumulated inside. Our team can clear this area up if necessary.
Consider a Smart Thermostat
If you don’t already have one, consider upgrading your thermostat to a smart model. This technology allows you to remotely control your HVAC equipment from wherever you are. You can make adjustments that will help you save money on your monthly utility bills by minimizing the HVAC system’s runtime. If you’re away from home for several days, you can monitor your HVAC system and make changes remotely.
Some smart thermostats can alert you when it’s time to schedule routine maintenance and also when it is time to change the air filters.
Seal up Window and Door Cracks and Gaps
Most homes have some degree of gaps and cracks that allow outside air to enter indoors and indoor air to escape. Before spring, you should go around your home and ensure these areas are identified and sealed. This prevents your HVAC system from working overtime to keep your home comfortable. You can use expanding spray foam and weather stripping for this process.
Additionally, you should inspect the areas around your foundation. Over time, this area commonly develops cracks, which can lead to heat loss.
Check All of Your Vents and Registers
Make sure all your vents and registers are open and free of obstructions. Promoting optimal airflow will protect your HVAC system from strain, and you should also experience fewer hot or cold spots in your home. Wipe down the surfaces of your vents and registers so they are free of dust and debris.
You may want to adjust the dampers in your ductwork if you have access. These dampers can help control the movement of air through your ducting, ensuring consistent comfort this spring. Don’t close off airflow to any of the vents in your home, as this can also lead to equipment strain.
Consider Having Us Install a Whole-House Humidity Equipment
If you have a whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier installed in your home, this equipment should be serviced prior to the start of spring as well. Spring tends to be a rainy time of year, so you’ll likely be using your whole-house dehumidifier most of the time.
However, dry periods during late spring and summer can result in your home needing moisture added back into the air. We can help you by ensuring that your drain line is clear to prevent the pooling of water that can lead to damage. Interior components may need to be serviced, and your units may have filters that need to be changed or cleaned periodically.
Don’t Forget To Check Your Thermostat Settings
Consider the current conditions in your home and set your thermostat to either the cooling or heating function. As mentioned, you may switch between these two functions in early spring, depending on the time of day and the outdoor temperature. Avoid setting your thermostat to heat when you need your air conditioner to run. This is an instance where a smart thermostat can come in handy. You can monitor your settings conveniently and make changes as necessary.
Consider Buying a Whole-House Air Filtration System
If you suffer from springtime allergies, consider having our team install a whole-house air purification unit onto your HVAC system. This is a much more effective method than using a portable purifier. Portable models only address a small amount of square footage at one time. You can remove particulate matter from all the air circulating through your system, often removing as much as 99.97% of the contaminants that are present when you use whole-home units.
Different purifier models use different types of filtration. High-efficiency particulate air filters, or HEPA for short, are effective for particulate matter such as springtime pollen, pet dander, and dust. Activated carbon filters can absorb volatile organic compounds and improve the overall smell of your indoor air. If you need to close your windows and doors in the spring to keep seasonal allergies at bay, whole-home air filtration can dramatically boost your indoor air quality.
During an annual maintenance appointment, we can inspect and service your filtration equipment. To ensure proper filtration, you should periodically replace the filters in your unit.
Greiner Heating and Air Your Local Full-Service HVAC Company
We at Greiner Heating and Air in Dixon can help answer your questions about routine HVAC maintenance. We also install and repair heating and cooling equipment, including ductless setups, central AC, mini-splits, and heat pump units. If you’re interested in HVAC maintenance from us, ask about our Maintenance Value Plan or contact our team at Greiner Heating and Air to schedule an appointment today.
