Spring is a magical time of year in Dallas and its surrounding areas. Baseball returns, tulips bloom, and the smell of barbecue drifts through the air. But before it’s time to turn on your cooling system, you need to do seasonal HVAC maintenance to ensure your air conditioner runs reliably and efficiently. Continue reading this article to learn some essential HVAC tips for spring.
What Should Be On Your Spring HVAC Start-Up Checklist?
Before you get your system running, you need to give your HVAC units some attention. After lying dormant for the winter, neglected HVAC systems may struggle to run efficiently or may negatively affect indoor air quality if not serviced. Even something as simple as a basic spring cleaning to remove pollen and other pollutants can improve your HVAC system’s quality.
So what are the critical elements of an HVAC start-up checklist?
Change Air Filters
Cleaning or changing your heating and cooling system’s air filters is one of the easiest yet most beneficial spring HVAC maintenance tasks you can perform. It helps keep your ventilation system running smoothly and promotes clean, fresh air moving through your facility. A simple rule of thumb for air filters—if they look dirty, replace them.
Check Outdoor Units
Another must on your spring HVAC service list is cleaning outdoor condensers. Debris, pollutants, and other harmful elements can gather in or around your condenser cabinet. If enough accumulate, they can lower your unit’s energy efficiency and even cause safety issues. Using nothing more than a mild detergent and water, you can wipe clean your unit and minimize risks.
Service Indoor Equipment
Next up on your spring HVAC start-up checklist is tending to your indoor units. Remove any dust, dirt, and other problematic substances that found their way into your system over the winter. It would be best if you also took the time to lubricate your HVAC system’s moving parts. This type of preventative maintenance helps your system run more efficiently. As an added benefit, well-maintained parts help lower utility costs and extend your equipment’s life.
Assess Your Refrigerant Charge
Spring in TX is often moderate, but if you head into the summer months with a low charge, you’re sure to regret not including this step on your HVAC start-up checklist. You should ensure your refrigerant is at the suggested level in your owner’s manual. If it’s low, there’s a good chance you have a leak in your system that needs to be repaired before turning on your HVAC unit.
Calibrate Your Controls and Thermostat
Your programmable thermostat regulates and instructs your system on how to run and what temperature to maintain. Your spring HVAC maintenance plan should include making sure it is correctly calibrated so you’re not overworking your system or inadvertently causing uncomfortable conditions.
Check Drains
Algae and other contaminants often clog condensate drains, which prevents moisture outflow. This can damage your system and even cause it to malfunction. If you’ve had algae issues in the past, be sure to use an algaecide during your spring cleaning routine.
Ensure Electrical Component Safety
Protecting the safety of everyone at your facility is more than a seasonal HVAC maintenance tip—it’s a must. Inspect the electrical components of your air conditioner to make sure there are no loose connections, damaged wires, or any other signs of impairment. Any of those issues can quickly lead to electrical fires, which jeopardize the safety of your staff, customers, and facility.
Sign Up for a Seasonal HVAC Maintenance Plan
Experts recommend having an experienced professional perform seasonal HVAC maintenance at least twice a year. Along with preventative spring HVAC maintenance, you should also schedule services at the end of summer so your system is ready for winter. Preventative chiller maintenance also helps your system run at peak performance. Routine chiller inspections help catch minor issues before they become complex problems.
Turn To A&G Services for All Your Spring HVAC Maintenance and Inspection Needs
Whether you don’t have time to work through your HVAC start-up checklist or want the experienced eyes and hands of our professional team, A&G Services is here to help. Since 1984 we’ve provided industry-leading spring HVAC maintenance services to Dallas area facilities in various industries. Reach out today to schedule your spring HVAC service.
