Spring Forward: Helpful HVAC Tasks

March 10, 2016

As the rainy springtime approaches the Des Moines area, your clocks aren't the only things you'll need to "spring forward." Your HVAC system also needs a little push to get it ready for the warm weather ahead.

Give Your HVAC System a Spring Cleaning
Inspect your air filter and replace it if it's collected a layer of dust. Clean your air registers and vents by removing the covers and vacuuming out the inside of the ducts. Wash the covers in a mild dish soap solution and replace them when dry. Check your ducts for loose or poorly sealed connections, then secure and seal them with mastic as necessary. If you have a furnace with a standing pilot light, turn off the pilot light to save gas once you're sure you won't need heating anymore this spring. If you know how to access your system's blower fan, vacuum out any dust around it. Switch your thermostat to "cool." Schedule your air conditioner's annual professional inspection. This inspection keeps your system clean and free of repair issues so it can achieve its maximum possible energy efficiency. Scheduling early in spring gives you the best chance of getting your preferred appointment time.

Plan Ahead for Comfort and Safety
To protect your roof, remove wintertime debris from your gutters so they'll be able to effectively channel the spring rains away from your home. Make sure the downspouts are at least 3 feet away from your home's foundation to prevent basement flooding. Test your sump pump by pouring in a bucket of water to make sure it will run if water enters the basement. Inspect the caulk and weatherstripping around your home for winter damage and replace as necessary. These weatherization materials help keep out the hot summer air and humidity, lightening the load on your A/C. If the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are more than six months old, replace them. Test all your detectors.

For help with your HVAC system's "spring forward," get in touch with us at Lozier Heating & Cooling in the Des Moines area. Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Des Moines, Iowa area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: "Gustavo-Frazao/Shutterstock"