A well-maintained heating and cooling system can keep your home reliably comfortable. Let’s take a closer look at the helpful tasks you should include on your home’s springtime HVAC maintenance checklist in Playa Vista, CA.
Clean or Replace the Air Filters
The air filters play a key role in how well your home’s HVAC system functions. After a few months, dust, dirt and other debris can accumulate in them.
Dirty air filters can impede your system’s airflow and lower the indoor air quality. To help the unit run better, you should clean or change the air filters every two to three months.
Inspect and Clean the Coils
The condenser and evaporator coils also influence how well your unit operates during the spring in Playa Vista. When dirt, dust, and grime accumulate on them, this residue can cause the coils to freeze. You can ensure the coils remain clean by hiring an HVAC technician to professionally maintain your unit.
Check and Refill the Refrigerant
When the refrigerant is low in your HVAC system, it prevents your air conditioner from cooling the air. Instead, your air conditioner might blow out warm or tepid air. You will need one of our licensed HVAC technicians from Belle Air Services to check and refill the refrigerant for you.
Clean the Outdoor Unit
After winter comes to an end, check and clean your outdoor unit. You may need to remove debris like dust and weeds. You may also need to sweep dirt away from the ground around the unit. Keeping the outdoor unit clean helps your HVAC system take in and blow out air better.
Tighten the Fan Blades
Loose fan blades can cause your unit to make a weird sound as it runs. For example, if the fan blades are not balanced, they can knock against the inside of the unit, causing the system to make loud banging noises. Tightening the fan blades helps minimize unusual HVAC noises.
Test the Thermostat
During your system’s spring AC maintenance service, our HVAC technician can also inspect and test the unit’s thermostat. This task might involve checking the wiring to ensure it is not loose.
It can also involve turning the AC on and making sure it reaches the set thermostat temperature. A functional thermostat can prevent problems like constant or short cycling.
Test the Electrical Components
Your system’s springtime tune-up can also include testing the unit’s electrical components. These components can include the power switch.
They can also include the breaker in your home’s electrical panel. Our technicians can test and replace electrical components in your HVAC system as needed.
Lubricate Moving Motor Parts
After so many months of constant use, the moving parts in your motor can require lubricating. Without proper lubrication, these parts can grind against each other, causing friction and noises like squealing and screeching. They can also cause your HVAC system to overheat.
Examine the Ductwork
After a stormy winter, the ductwork to your HVAC system may need some professional attention. It might have cracks and punctures in it from ice, heavy snow, and high winds.
Parts of it may also be torn loose and need reattaching. Having one of our HVAC professionals from Belle Air Services repair or replace your ductwork can prevent issues like drafts and high indoor humidity levels.
Clean the Air Vents and Registers
Debris can also accumulate in the system’s vents and registers. It can compromise your system’s airflow and also lower your home’s air quality. You should ensure the vents and registers are swept, wiped down, or vacuumed out before you turn on your air conditioner for the spring.
Clean Out the Condensate Drain
The condensate drain serves an important purpose in your HVAC system’s normal function. When dirt and other debris clog it, this residue prevents moisture from draining normally.
Instead, the water will leak out of your unit. You can prevent a water leak that can damage your home’s floors and walls by keeping this drain cleaned out.
Remove Obstacles Blocking the Vents
As you prepare your system for spring weather, remove any obstacles blocking the vents inside your house. Blocked vents can prevent your system from drawing in and blowing out air. Blockages can also cause your system to overwork trying to keep your home cool enough for the season.
Clean the Area Around the Indoor Unit
You should also clean the area around the indoor unit. Totes, boxes, and other items around it can compromise how well the system operates. Materials made from cardboard and paper can catch on fire. You should also vacuum or sweep the floor around the indoor unit.
Inspect and Clean the Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger in your HVAC system needs to be maintained at least once a year. This part transfers thermal energy from one medium to another in the system.
Without proper maintenance, it can develop problems like scaling and cracking. Our HVAC team can inspect and service this part every spring to prevent it from malfunctioning.
Check the Insulation
You should also take a look at the insulation in your home at the start of spring. Proper insulation helps your air conditioner keep your home effectively cool.
Replace old and damaged insulation. Ensure areas around the ductwork as well as your attic have enough insulation in them.
Test the Safety Controls
Before spring gets underway, test your HVAC system’s safety controls. These controls protect against overheating, component failure, and fire hazards.
They also prevent high or low pressure in the unit, which protects the compressor and other components. These controls also include sensors that detect carbon monoxide or natural gas leaks.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
If you want to make your home’s HVAC system easier to use, consider upgrading the thermostat on it. Thermostats today come with technology like mobile apps that allow you to turn them on and off remotely. You can also use the mobile app to set up a cooling or heating schedule for your home, which in turn can help you save money on your monthly utility bills.
Check the Air Handler
Your springtime HVAC maintenance checklist should also include checking the system’s air handler. This component plays a key role in regulating and circulating air from the system into your home.
Without routine servicing, your system can develop problems like water leaks and unusual noises. Our HVAC team knows where to locate the air handler in your system and can inspect and service it as needed.
Check the Startup and Shutdown Cycles
Finally, you must ensure your system can turn on and off properly. It should kick on in minutes or faster after you switch it to the “On” position.
It should shut itself off promptly when you turn its power switch to the “Off” position. You should also ensure the system is on the “Auto” setting rather than “On.”
Benefit From Our Professional Springtime HVAC Maintenance Services
At Belle Air Services, we prioritize your family’s comfort when you hire our cooling services pros for your HVAC system’s spring maintenance. As an experienced, locally owned HVAC company in the Playa Vista area, our business functions as a Certified Daikin Comfort Pro and Diamond Contractor. We also provide products and services for Mitsubishi Electric.
Our HVAC team works on all types of traditional and ductless systems. Contact Belle Air Services today for spring maintenance of your HVAC system.
