Ultimate Guide to a Clean HVAC Unit
Bathroom. Kitchen. Garage. Bedroom. Check all those off your list! Those are a given when it comes to your spring cleaning plans. But what about your HVAC unit? Bet you never thought spring cleaning actually began with your HVAC unit that’s been turned off all season. Ever notice you clean a room, and a few days later there’s piles of dust? Already? All signs point to that HVAC unit of yours! Indoor air quality is so important and spring is the best time to clean your unit. Summer is right around the corner, and you will want to rely 100% on your AC unit; making sure it is running smoothly and efficiently all-season long. So, here is what you need to know about spring cleaning your HVAC equipment.
1. Be Prepared
We know you probably aren’t even thinking about 90 degree weather. It seems so far away still. But truth is, preparedness when it comes to your HVAC unit is what’s going to save you from being stuck in a sweltering hot home in the dead of summer. It’s what’s going to ensure everything is working properly before those hot temperatures hit the Pacific Northwest. And how do you get prepared? Schedule a general maintenance on your equipment. We have industry-trained, professional service technicians at Brennan Heating & Air Conditioning who can come to your home, and make sure everything is running efficiently and as expected.
2. Turn On Your HVAC Unit
Do you smell that? It’s your air conditioner coming back to life after a cold, brisk winter. Yes, it’s as simple as just turning it on sometimes! Turn on your HVAC unit for a test run. Let it run for a little while, and allow it to warm up after being turned off all winter long. This will help you learn of any issues with your system, so a professional can come out and take a look knowing exactly what they’re looking for and addressing any issues that may arise. If there are no issues, then that’s great, but you will still want to schedule a maintenance to inspect the overall function of your unit.
3. Clean, Clean, Clean
And clean some more. Get out that broom and start sweeping! Your air conditioner has most likely been turned off, untouched, for several days or months. This has allowed debris and branches to fall on and around your unit. Remove the cold weather covers (if you had any), and start sweeping away all those fallen leaves, dirt, debris and branches around the outdoor unit. If needed, cut back bushes and trees, and gently rinse away the dirt on the unit’s condenser coils with a hose. It’s also better to have a clean unit when you have a service technician come out to conduct a maintenance. It is much easier for the technician to see what’s going on when everything is visible and not covered.
4. Hidden Costs
A lot of people think that as long as their HVAC unit is working, they don’t need to schedule an appointment. A lot of people think it is a waste of money to call someone when nothing appears to be wrong. But in reality, if you want to save money in the long run and increase the life span of your equipment at the same time, a maintenance is absolutely important. Much like you would go see a doctor annually or go get an oil change in your car when you reach a certain mileage, you will want to take care of your HVAC unit the same exact way. Blockages and leaks can add to your overall energy bill, as can low refrigerant and dirt inside those outdoor coils. Not only that, but it can decrease the lifespan of your equipment. If you want to keep your unit running efficiently, for years to come, we highly recommend you schedule a general maintenance annually! The service technicians at Brennan Heating & Air Conditioning do a 20-point inspection, making sure your unit is reliable, efficient and safe for your family throughout all the seasons. Our technicians are able to maintain and repair, help you with troubleshooting, and diagnose issues on a variety of HVAC equipment such as furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, water heaters and ductless units. Don’t be fooled by those hidden costs!
5. Hidden Allergens
Some people have a sensitivity to airborne materials such as mold or dust. And when they’re hidden, it’s hard to tell exactly where the allergies are coming from all of a sudden. What a lot of people don’t realize, is those materials can actually be camping out inside your HVAC unit. You probably never even thought about your unit being the source of all the allergies! While your air filter does trap these to an extent, it is not enough to rely on them to get rid of all those materials for you. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to put “HVAC” at the top of your spring cleaning checklist!
The popular belief is don’t fix what’s not broken. When in fact, that is far from the truth when it comes to your HVAC equipment. The way to ensure your unit continues to be reliable, safe and efficient for several years is to schedule an annual maintenance – even if nothing is broken. Follow those steps above and you will be sure to have a cool home all summer long. HVAC Equipment – check!
Choose Brennan Heating & Air Conditioning
Since 1987, Brennan Heating & Air Conditioning has served tens of thousands of happy customers in the Puget Sound region. All of our service technicians are factory-trained and certified which is just one of many reasons why you should choose Brennan. We offer general maintenance’s for air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, tankless water heaters, and other products. Brennan is an award-winning Seattle heating and air conditioning contractor. Contact us today!
