Homeowner’s HVAC Maintenance Tasks for Spring

Spring in Southwest Florida means blooming flowers, active beaches and baseball players reporting for Spring Training. It also means the approach of AC season and the burden it can place on your HVAC system. To ensure your Naples, FL home’s system is ready for the heat, here are three key spring HVAC maintenance tasks you can tackle yourself.

Change Your HVAC Filter

Would you like to slash the energy you spend on cooling? It’s easier than you might think. Simply keeping a clean HVAC filter in your system can reduce energy consumption by up to 15 percent. You should be changing your filter at least once every three months, but it’s especially important during the spring. A new filter is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to make sure you’re ready for the Florida heat.

Clear Your Condensate Line

Keeping cool in the muggy heat produces a lot of moisture in the form of condensation. Normally, that moisture is drained harmlessly away through a small tube called a condensate line. Unfortunately, this line can become clogged and cause moisture to back up into your home and HVAC equipment. This can cause damage and lead to extensive AC repairs, so basic preventive maintenance is essential. Flushing the drain line with a solution of distilled vinegar, hot water, and dish soap is usually sufficient, or a mild bleach solution. If there’s a stubborn clog, you can also use a wet-dry vacuum to suck it out.

Do Some Spring Cleaning

Your HVAC system needs room to breathe in order to work at its best. Unfortunately, sometimes outdoor units don’t have enough space to get optimal airflow. Once spring has sprung, give your system a hand by clearing out the area around your outdoor equipment. Trim or remove nearby vegetation, clear away obstructions and make sure the unit’s vents are clean and clear.

Beating the heat in Southwest Florida is a challenge, but the HVAC maintenance steps above will help you get prepared. For more on how you can protect your HVAC system and reduce utility costs, check out Arctic Air Home Services (formerly Spectrum)’s HVAC tune-up services or give us a call to schedule your tune-up today.