Spring HVAC Prep to Be Ready for the Layton Summer

While we're still a bit away from the dead of the Utah summer, the fact is that it'll be here sooner than you think -- and this spring period is important for preparing for it. The HVAC realm is of particular importance here, as your system will ensure you and your family are cool and comfortable this summer as long as it's given the proper attention and care.

At Dick Kearsley Service Center, we're proud to offer a number of heating and air conditioning repair and maintenance services for our Layton and nearby clients, including assisting numerous clients with transitioning their HVAC system from one season to another. What are some of the top areas you should be paying attention to this spring as you prep your system for the summer, whether on your own or with the help of our HVAC technicians? Here are several.

Proper Furnace Shutdown and Tune-Up

If you haven't already done so, now is the time to properly shut down your furnace for the season. The furnace typically is not needed once the temperatures here in Utah are consistently above freezing, so you may be able to shut it down right now -- but be sure to double check the forecasts first. If you want, working with our HVAC technicians can ensure you don't miss any important details during this process.

It's recommended in many cases to have your furnace inspected and tuned up by a professional before putting it away for the summer. This ensures that your system will be ready to go come fall, and can also help identify any potential problems that need to be addressed now while they're still relatively easy and inexpensive to handle.

Filter Changes or Cleaning

Filters are a vital part of any HVAC system, so it's important to ensure they're always clean and in good condition. This is doubly true as you prep your system for the summer season; not only will a dirty filter make your system run less efficiently, but it also can cause problems like an iced-over evaporator coil.

Be sure to check your air filters often and change or clean them as needed so that you're ready for the summer season.

Check for Leaks

Another important part of ensuring your cooling system is ready for summer comes in the form of checking for leaks -- and we mean this in a few different areas:

• Home air leaks: Before turning on your cooling system, be sure to check for any air leaks around windows and doors in your home that may allow warm air inside. If you find some, consider sealing them up now while there's still a bit of time remaining before it gets too hot.
• Indoor coil leaks: Your evaporator coil is an important component of your cooling system, and if it's leaking, it can cause a number of problems. One of the biggest is decreased efficiency as your system will have to work harder to cool your home; this not only wastes energy but also can cause an increase in utility bills.
• Outdoor coil leaks: The outdoor condenser coil is another vital component, and like the indoor coil, leaks can cause decreased efficiency and other problems.

If you find any leaks around your coils, be sure to have them addressed as soon as possible so that your system is operating at peak condition this summer.

Cleaning Vents and Registers

Especially if air quality is important to you, such as if someone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, it's a good idea to clean your vents and registers now so that they're in top condition once the warmer weather hits. Be sure to use a quality cleaner, such as one specifically designed for this purpose, and check for any blockages like dust or debris.

In some cases, this theme may also extend to your ducts, which we recommend having professionally cleaned at least once every five years.

Consider Thermostat Changes or Upgrades

The thermostat is the device that tells your HVAC system when to turn on and off, so it's important to ensure it's in good working condition. If you don't already have a programmable model, now may be the time to consider an upgrade; these allow you to better control your home's temperature, which can lead to increased comfort and energy savings.

And if you already have a newer thermostat model, now is the time to ensure your settings are where you want them to be. You may want to consider a "smart" model that can learn your preferences and make adjustments accordingly, or you may prefer the more traditional approach of manually setting it yourself.

In any case, giving your thermostat some attention now can help ensure your HVAC system is operating at peak efficiency this summer.

Clean Around the Outdoor Unit

During the summer, your HVAC system relies heavily on the outdoor condenser unit, so it's important to ensure this area is clear and clean. Be sure to remove any debris or obstructions that may be around it, and trim back any foliage or other growth that could impede airflow.

It's also a good idea to give the unit itself a cleaning; you can do this yourself with a hose, or you can hire a professional to do the job for you. In either case, making sure it's clean and performing well will help ensure it can handle the summer heat without any problems.

These are just some of the ways you can prepare your HVAC system for summer so that you're not left out in the heat as soon as the dead of the summer hits. For more on this or how our team can help with any part of it, or to learn about our Layton HVAC and appliance repair services, speak to the team at Dick Kearsley Service Center today.