7 Tips to Prepare Your HVAC System for Spring and Summer

One day, it’s 65 degrees and sunny. The next day, it’s snowing and below freezing. Welcome to springtime in Maryland! One thing is certain, though; it will get unbearably hot before you know it. It’s time to look at your air conditioning system to make sure it’s ready for the unpredictability of spring and the sizzle of summer.

Here are 7 ways to prepare your HVAC for spring and summer:

1. Change Your Air Filters

Dirty air filters will cause your cooling systems to operate inefficiently. Don’t make them work harder than they have to; make sure you change your air filters.

2. Smart Thermostats are Cool Ways to Save Money

Imagine a house that’s cool when you need it, but saves money on your energy bills? Meet the smart thermostat, an incredible way to ensure your HVAC system is operating at peak efficiency. It will automatically adjust to your needs, such as turning on the air conditioning unit when you are on the way home, adjusting automatically to preset times, showing how much energy you’re using, and operating in a green energy-efficient mode. 

3. Clean Up Around the Unit

Throughout winter, winds and weather have probably caused a collection of leaves and other debris around your outdoor HVAC unit. Grab your broom and sweep your its location clean. You can use a hose and rinse off the unit, but never use a power washer. That intense stream of water can potentially damage the coils and tubes within the unit.

4. Clean Vents and Registers

Over the winter, vents and registers may have accumulated everything from dog hair and dust to your son’s Batman toys. If possible, unscrew the registers and wipe both the covers themselves as well as inside the ducts with a damp cloth. Make sure to have a bucket of water to rinse your cloth repeatedly; you’ll be amazed at how much gunk you find in there.

5. Check the Drain Line

Your HVAC system will create excess moisture as the air conditioner runs, and that moisture will flow through a drain line that looks like a small hose. Check this line after running the unit for a few hours; if you don’t see some water flowing slowly out of the hose, you may have a clogged line.

6. Sneeze No More: Install an Air Purifier 

Spring and summer are the worst times to go outside when you suffer from seasonal allergies. Luckily, at least your home can be safe from allergens, mold, and germs when you install a whole-house purifier. These will also help family members with breathing problems such as asthma and COPD breathe easier during the warmer months, which commonly trigger respiratory illnesses.

7. Prepare Your HVAC System for Spring with an Annual Preventive Maintenance Check

You can always leave the spring and summer HVAC preparation to the pros and schedule a preventive maintenance visit. During this visit, a technician will check the unit, replace filters, and make any repairs that need to be done. With Holtzlople’s Comfort Club, members get annual preventive maintenance services along with discounted parts and labor on any necessary repairs. Our Comfort Club members also receive priority emergency services when the unexpected happens, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.