Putting Your HVAC First on Your Spring Cleaning List

It’s almost time for spring cleaning. Perhaps you have your regular list of duties: wash windows, clean out closets, get rid of clothes and other items you don’t use anymore, clear out the freezer, clean up debris and leaves from the yard and other chores. This year, it might be a good idea to add cleaning up your HVAC system to your list.

Why Clean Your HVAC System?

OK, so it’s not like we recommend that you clean the entire HVAC system yourself. Some tasks are better left to professionals, but you can do a few things yourself, before you call for your annual air conditioner maintenance visit, such as cleaning vents, changing the air filter and clearing debris from the outdoor condenser.

There are several good reasons to keep your HVAC system clean, such as these:

• A clean condenser makes for better airflow, which helps your system run more efficiently.
• Clean coils will help your system cool the air better, and may eliminate potentially damaging problems such as frozen coils.
• A clean filter will help air flow better through your system, so that it cools and heats with less wear on parts.
• Removing dust, debris and obstructions from vents improves air flow and improves air quality.

Cleaning the HVAC System

Start with the outdoor compressor/condenser of your air conditioner.

Clean off any leaves, dirt or other debris that may have blown onto the condenser during the winter. If you need to, you can hose it off with a sprayer. If you have a substantial metal housing around your unit, you may want to get inside the housing to examine the fins and the coils to determine if they need to be cleaned. You may also want to use coil cleaner and a brush, depending on how dirty the coils are.

Also change your air filter to start the season. Then check interior vents for obstructions and debris, vacuuming them if necessary.

To learn more about tasks you need to perform on your HVAC system during spring cleaning, contact CCAC. We serve the Coastal Bend area of Texas.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about your HVAC system, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.