How To Prepare Your HVAC System for Spring

It’s been a long winter, but soon it will be time to switch from heating to air conditioning. If you hope to ensure efficient cooling performance, be sure to conduct HVAC maintenance this spring. Otherwise, your air conditioner will steadily decline year after year, leading to increased energy bills, breakdowns, and repair costs.

Fortunately, it’s easy to prepare your HVAC for spring in Pennsylvania with a combination of do-it-yourself tips and professional maintenance. Here’s everything you need to know!

When Should I Shut Off My Furnace in Pennsylvania?

Most years, Pennsylvanians start using the air conditioner sometime in May, but with lows still dipping into the high 40s, you shouldn’t shut off your furnace just yet. Wait until the forecast consistently shows lows in the 50s or higher to cut off the gas supply.

It’s good to shut off your furnace for the summer if it has a pilot light. You’ll save money all season by preventing the unnecessary burning of natural gas. First, turn the pilot light knob to the “off” position. Then, shut off the main gas supply.

However, don’t turn off the electric power if your AC shares electrical components with the furnace, including the blower motor. If you’re not sure, ask an HVAC technician for guidance.

AC Maintenance Checklist

Follow these steps to prepare your HVAC for spring in Pennsylvania.

• Replace the air filter: A clogged filter makes your AC work harder than necessary. To prevent higher energy bills, make a note to replace the filter every one to three months or when it starts looking dirty. By choosing a high-efficiency replacement, you can filter out spring allergens more effectively and improve indoor air quality.
• Clean the outdoor condenser coils: Check on the outside portion of your AC as winter transitions to spring. If the condenser coils are covered with dead leaves, dirt, and cobwebs, clean them to improve airflow. A quick spray with your garden hose should do the trick.
• Straighten the coil fins: Look closely at your outdoor unit to spot any bent fins. To work effectively, the fins should be straight with a small gap between each one. Use a “fin comb” or a butter knife to straighten any bent fins back to their original position.
• Clear out the condensate drain: A clogged drain prevents your AC from reducing humidity, which is an important part of home comfort in the summer. To prevent this, pass a stiff wire down the drain and clear out any blockages.
• Vacuum the air vents: Similar to hosing down the condenser coils to improve airflow, use the brush attachment on your vacuum to remove dust, pet hair, and other debris from the return and supply registers around the house.
• Adjust the thermostat: Change it from heating to cooling mode. If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, consider installing one to optimize comfort and energy efficiency.
• Leave in-depth spring HVAC maintenance to a pro: While these tasks are worthwhile, it’s still important to hire a professional HVAC technician to test for refrigerant leaks, verify the electric control sequence, tighten electrical connections, check belts for tightness and wear, and other tasks that require special tools and training.

Schedule AC Maintenance in Carbon County, PA

The team at Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning has provided reliable AC maintenance service for four generations. Our fully trained and knowledgeable technicians perform every tune-up with your safety and satisfaction in mind.

Call (610) 377-5261 or contact us online today to schedule AC maintenance in eastern Pennsylvania.