Sunny skies, warmer weather, and eye-pleasing plants are in bloom, which means it’s nearly time to turn on the air conditioning!
Along with springtime comes the notorious season of spring cleaning. Spring cleaning isn’t just for decluttering your home, but for cleaning your air conditioning unit, too! Before you flip that switch, you may need to consider these spring cleaning tips to ensure that your A/C unit is ready for summer.
Spring Cleaning Checklist for Your Air Conditioning Unit
At Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air, our goal is to prevent problems rather than deal with untimely breakdowns! An air conditioning unit that undergoes routine cleaning and preventative maintenance is shown to last longer, improve energy efficiency, and save money.
With that in mind, here are five essential tips to ensure your air conditioning unit is ready for the warm weather.
1. Keep Your Indoor Vents Clear
Your home may have floor vents and grill spaces that you need to clear dust and debris from the winter months. It is a good idea to vacuum those vents and grill spaces to remove dust regularly, ensuring that nothing is obstructing the air supply or return.
However, as part of a spring cleaning routine, unscrew the vent from the ground and wash it with soap and water to get an extra cleanse. When the vent has thoroughly dried, reinstall. Lastly, use a soft cloth to wipe away the dust that clings to the tight spots of grill spaces.
2. Change Your Air Filters
One key to maintaining an operational air conditioning unit is regularly replacing air filters. While this is a simple step, it often goes forgotten. We know how challenging it can be to remember when we should change the air filter!
Our manageable suggestion is to change the filters now, especially if you can’t remember the last time you replaced them. Then, setting a quarterly reminder on your phone is an excellent way to stay up to date.
Bonus-Tip: Most air filters should be replaced every three months.
3. Inspect Your Outdoor Air Conditioning Unit
Often, our service professionals can identify potential HVAC problems before calamity strikes. At Dixie, we recommend the “Stop, Look, and Listen” method: check the unit, look for any signs of wear or damage, and take a listen for any weird sounds. Additionally, take time to clear away any debris from the outside unit.
Pay special attention to what it sounds like on start-up and also when it has been running a while. If it sounds too loud or has other signs of damage, give the professionals at Dixie a call to help you diagnose the issue quickly.
4. Install a Programmable Smart Thermostat
This spring, consider decreasing your carbon footprint with a climate-controlled programmable thermostat. These thermostats are designed to automatically adjust the temperature of your home based on your day-to-day routine, keeping your home cool right when you need it!
Simply put, you can program your thermostat to adjust by itself. Who doesn’t want one less thing on the daily to-do list? With a smart thermostat, you can put climate control in your hands and save money all at once.
5. Call Dixie For a Spring HVAC Maintenance Service
Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air has been a staple in the state of Alabama for 110 years, and we know what it takes to ensure your air conditioning unit is ready to take on spring. With an A/C tune-up, we administer preventative maintenance to keep your HVAC system running in top shape throughout the hot summer months.
Our experienced service professional will:
- Test the system and thermostat
- Clean the indoor and outdoor unit
- Check refrigerant levels
- Inspect electrical wiring
- Verify condensate drainage
- And more!
We offer HVAC maintenance throughout many areas in Alabama, and we are happy to help you prepare your home for summer. With help from Dixie, you can quickly check off “routine A/C maintenance” from your spring cleaning checklist!
Call Dixie, and it’s done!
To schedule a service with Dixie, call 334.328.3570 for Montgomery or 334.246.4914 for Auburn. You can also schedule an appointment online.
