Spring Tips
Change the Air Filter: Replace your filter, especially after winter, to ensure proper airflow and trap spring pollen.
Consider upgrading to a higher rated MERV filter, a 4” AprilAire filter and/or installing a Reme system on your unit. This will help filter out allergens and pollen,
Clean the Outdoor Unit (Condenser): Clear leaves, branches, mulch and dirt from around your outdoor unit, ensuring at least two feet of clearance. Use a soft brush to clean fins; avoid pressure washers.
Check Refrigerant Lines: Inspect the two copper lines that run from your outdoor unit into the house should be wrapped in foam insulation. Walk the line and look for sections where that insulation is cracked, missing, or deteriorating. Damaged insulation reduces cooling efficiency and drives up energy use. This is not a DIY fix but spotting it early means you can flag it for your technician rather than discovering it mid-summer when the system is struggling on a 95-degree day.
Test the AC Early: Turn your AC on during a moderate April day for 10-15 minutes to ensure it runs correctly before the summer heat. Confirm that cool air is coming from the vents and that the system is responding accurately to temperature change. Listen to make sure no unusual sounds are coming from either the indoor or outdoor unit.
Clean Vents and Registers: Vacuum and wash air vent covers to remove dust accumulation. Pull them off, wash them with warm soapy water, and vacuum the duct opening before reinstalling.
Thermostat: Set it and forget it! Set your thermostat to a comfortable, consistent, energy-efficient temperature and avoid changing it too often. Frequently adjusting the temperature causes your system to work harder and increases energy consumption.
If you have not already made the switch to a programmable or smart thermostat, spring is a good time to consider it.
Schedule Professional Maintenance: These homeowner tasks are important, but it is important to schedule a maintenance with a qualified technician.