As summer approaches, it's time to clean up the yard and make plans. It's also time to perform some routine maintenance of your HVAC to ensure it runs as efficiently as possible when you turn on the air conditioning. This keeps you comfortable without draining your wallet. Of course, if you perform regular HVAC maintenance, you should be in pretty good shape.

Check Your Filters

First, it's time to deal with filters. If your system has cardboard-trimmed filters, you can dispose of them and replace them with brand-new filters. Just make sure to insert the new filter with the arrows pointing in the direction of airflow. You must clean plastic filters, which you can do by rinsing with a hose or underneath the faucet. Allow the filter to air dry completely before replacing it.

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends changing or cleaning filters at least every other month when using your air conditioner, but heater filters also require maintenance for efficient operation during the cooler months.

Rinse the Coils

The coils on your outside air conditioner collect all sorts of debris, especially if you don't use a cover. This muck slows down your HVAC system. Fortunately, you can use a garden hose to clean the coils to remove light dirt.

Level the Concrete Slab

If the slab that your AC unit sits on isn't level, the system will have to work harder. You can pry up the slab with a board and place gravel beneath the concrete to level it out.

Clean the Fins

The thin metal fins on the outside of your AC unit can be cleaned with a soft brush such as a toothbrush. Be extra careful not to bend them. But if they do bend from cleaning or anything else, you can purchase a fin tool to straighten them out. Before you head inside, take a look for any debris, including grass and other plants, that might block the unit or decrease performance.

Dust the Vents

Do yourself and your family a favor and dust the AC vents in your home if you don't regularly. Otherwise, any dust or dirt that accumulates will simply be forced into your home -- and airways. If the vents are clean and your air still seems dirty, consider hiring a professional to clean the ducts. They can also examine the ducts for any leaks.

Call Us Today

Contact Harwich Port Heating and Cooling today for more information about your AC unit or if you need to service your HVAC system before summer!