How AC Maintenance Helps With Spring Cleaning
Spring has sprung! As winter fades out like a particularly frigid dream, it’s time to look forward to spring — and that means it’s time for spring cleaning! And while many homeowners think of spring cleaning as a time for dusting, vacuuming, and putting away the heavy-duty winter clothes, it’s also a time to make sure other household components are clean. And perhaps the most important of these other components is the AC system. As the heater goes into hibernation mode until the fall, the AC system shakes off the dust and gets ready for months of near-constant use. And this is why spring AC cleaning and maintenance are so important!
A Clean AC Unit Is a Happy AC Unit
A central AC system consists of two units — one inside the home and one outside. Both these units need to be cleaned and inspected in the springtime for optimal use. Doing this before the AC starts seeing a lot of use is important for catching small problems that could later turn into bigger ones. And while most homeowners can certainly try their hand at cleaning these units, it’s best left up to a professional who will make sure one of the most important parts of the system gets cleaned: the condenser coil.
The condenser coil is located in the outdoor unit, so it gets dirty during the fall and winter months. This piece of the system is important for transferring heat outside of the home, which is a big part of how the AC cools the house. So when it’s covered in dirt and debris, the AC has to work harder and longer to cool the house because the condenser coil struggles to release the heat. Fortunately, it’s easy for an AC tech to clean, ensuring that it will function efficiently, saving the homeowners money, and allowing the house to cool faster.
Clean Ducts Mean Cleaner Air
Another component of the AC system homeowners should consider cleaning is the ductwork. There are a couple of reasons why it’s a good idea to incorporate duct cleaning into spring cleaning. The first is because it helps keep the home’s indoor air quality healthy. The fewer airborne particles floating around in the house, the better. This includes particles built up in the ductwork since the last time one cleaned it.
The second reason to clean ducts in the spring is for AC efficiency. When the ducts have a lot of particles in them, this can clog the AC filter. And while this is what the filter is for, a clogged filter that isn’t changed quickly will make the AC work harder to cool the home, as it becomes difficult to cycle air through it. Ducts can be hard to clean, so this is a task best left to professionals.
Regular Home Cleaning Has Many Benefits
Spring cleaning in general — sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and the like — can also benefit the AC system. The cleaner the house is, the fewer airborne particles will be sucked up into the AC system. Regular cleaning practices, especially vacuuming and dusting, will help keep the AC system healthy while also keeping the home’s air healthy! It’s a win-win situation. Plus, who doesn’t like having a consistently clean home!?
This last tip homeowners can (obviously) do for themselves. But for duct cleaning and spring AC maintenance, it’s best to call a professional HVAC company. Maintenance includes much more than just cleaning condenser coils and changing filters. The tech will do a long checklist of maintenance tasks to ensure all components are working properly and efficiently!
About B & D Plumbing, Heating & A/C
The friendly folks at B & D Plumbing, Heating & A/C have been proudly serving St. Michael, MN, since 1982. They use the latest technology and always show up in fully stocked trucks for homeowner convenience. They also provide no-surprised upfront pricing on every job! Contact them today for HVAC maintenance in St. Michael, MN.
