HVAC Tips for Homeowners Heading into Spring

Spring is the quiet window for heating and cooling equipment. The furnace is done for the year, the air conditioner has not been asked to do much yet, and the weather is mild enough that a day without service is not a hardship. It is also the best time to deal with small problems before a Yakima Valley summer puts the system under real load.

Walk around the outdoor unit

Start outside. Trim grass and shrubs, and clear leaves, cottonwood fluff and other debris from around your heat pump, air conditioner or ductless outdoor unit. Keep two to three feet of clear space on every side, so the unit can pull in air and a technician can reach it for maintenance. Look for anything that does not look right: bent fins, loose panels, or lines that have been damaged by a lawn mower or trimmer.

While you are out there, check that the unit sits level and that the pad has not settled or washed out over the winter. A unit that has tilted can strain its refrigerant lines and fan. If you use a ductless system, the same walk-around applies to the indoor heads: wipe down the front panel, clean the washable filter according to the manufacturer's instructions and make sure the louvers move freely.

Do the basic cleaning tasks

Replace the air filter. Clogged filters are behind a large share of summer cooling breakdowns, and the fix costs very little. If your system has a condensate drain line, check it too. Drain lines can clog with algae and mildew, and a backed-up line can cause water damage inside the house. Also look at the ductwork you can see, in a garage, crawlspace or attic, for loose connections, damaged insulation or signs that rodents or insects have been at work. Chewed or loose wiring is a safety concern, so call a professional if you find any.

Consider upgrades while the weather is mild

Spring is a good time to improve the system, not only maintain it. A few upgrades worth discussing:

• A ductless heat pump to replace window or wall units, especially in older or smaller homes with no ductwork
• A programmable or smart thermostat for better temperature control and lower running costs
• Whole-house filtration with UV lights to reduce dust, mold, pollen and odors in the air
• Replacing a system that is near the end of its life, before an emergency forces the decision

On that last point, replacing an old air conditioner in spring is far easier than doing it in July. Equipment is easier to get, schedules are open, and you have time to compare options. Ask us about current Pacific Power and Cascade Natural Gas rebates, and about financing through Synchrony, Wells Fargo or Craft3.

Book the annual maintenance visit

A professional spring visit does things you cannot easily do yourself. A technician will typically:

• Inspect the system closely for operating and safety issues
• Verify that the thermostat works properly
• Check refrigerant levels and look for leaks
• Clean the evaporator coil, condenser coil and blower
• Check the ductwork for leaks and damage

The payoff is a system that cools efficiently through the hottest weeks, lower energy bills and a much lower chance of an emergency repair during peak season. Maintained equipment also tends to last longer.

Spring is also the time to ask questions. If a room never feels right, if the system short cycles, or if last summer's bills came as a surprise, tell the technician before the visit starts. Symptoms you remember from the hot months are exactly the clues that make a diagnosis faster.

For homes and businesses

These steps apply to commercial buildings as much as houses. Rooftop units, split systems and VRF equipment all benefit from a spring inspection before the cooling season starts, and the cost of downtime in a restaurant, shop or office is higher than the cost of a visit.

ACT Heat & Air schedules spring service for homes and businesses in Yakima, Union Gap, Ellensburg, Prosser, Kennewick, Richland and Pasco. Call (509) 388-2997 to book a visit before the first hot week.