Spring is finally peeking around the corner — you can feel it in the air. The days are getting longer, the sun’s warming up, and you’re probably itching to throw open the windows and let that fresh breeze roll in. But before you get too comfortable, your HVAC system could probably use a little attention. After months of heating your home through chilly days, your system is gearing up to switch over to cooling mode, and it’s better to check on things now than to be caught sweating when the first hot day hits.
Clear Out Winter’s Dust From Your Vents and Registers
Winter has a way of making your home feel a little stuffy. The windows stay shut for months, and your heating system works overtime, pushing warm air through the vents day after day. By the time spring rolls around, those vents and registers are often covered with dust, pet hair, and whatever else floated around all winter. You might not notice it at first, but once you start moving things around during spring cleaning, it’s hard to miss.
The next time your air conditioning kicks on, that sitting dust gets blown right back into the air you’re breathing. If you’ve ever noticed sneezing, itchy eyes, or that dry throat feeling when you first start using the AC in the spring, dusty vents could be part of the problem. Taking a few minutes to remove the vent covers and wipe everything down can make a big difference. Warm, soapy water works fine for most covers, and a damp cloth can help grab the dust inside the vent without sending it flying everywhere.
While you’re at it, check the vents in rooms you don’t use as much. Sometimes, furniture gets pushed over a vent during the winter, or a rug might be covering it. If a vent is blocked, air can’t flow as it should, and that can make your system work harder than it needs to. Getting everything cleared out and open helps your system breathe better and keeps the air in your house feeling fresher.
Swap Out Old Air Filters
Air filters might not be the most exciting thing to think about, but they can make a surprising difference in how well your heating and cooling system works. If you haven’t thought about your filter since before the holidays or even longer, it’s probably time for a fresh one. Filters collect dust, pet dander, pollen, and all the other tiny particles floating around your house. Over time, they get clogged up, making it harder for air to pass through.
When air can’t move easily, your system has to push harder to cool your home, which means it’s using more energy and wearing itself out faster. You might notice that your house takes longer to cool down or your energy bill starts creeping up. Changing the filter is one of those small chores that can save you money and make your home more comfortable.
Test Your Thermostat Before the First Hot Day
You may not think about your thermostat until the temperature outside starts climbing, but when you flip it over to cooling for the first time in spring, the last thing you want is for nothing to happen. Testing it early can save you from that sweaty panic when the first warm day arrives.
Turn it to cool and lower the temperature a few degrees to see if your air conditioner kicks on. If you hear that familiar hum and feel cool air coming from the vents, you’re probably in good shape. If nothing happens or the air feels warm, it could mean your thermostat isn’t working properly or there’s a bigger issue with your system.
If your thermostat runs on them, sometimes, all it takes is popping in some fresh batteries. Other times, older thermostats can get a little finicky after a long winter. If it’s been years since yours was installed or if it feels as though you’re constantly adjusting it to stay comfortable, upgrading to a newer model might be a good idea.
Give Your Outdoor Unit Some Breathing Room
After months of snow and leaves blowing around your yard, your outdoor AC unit can end up looking a little worse for wear. It might be covered in dead leaves, twigs, or even a pile of dirt that built up from the winter weather. Clearing that area out before you start using your air conditioning can help your system run better and last longer.
That outdoor unit needs space to pull in air and release heat. If it’s surrounded by debris, or if bushes and plants have grown too close, it can’t do its job as well. You might notice your air conditioner running longer than usual, or it could start making strange noises because it’s working harder than it should.
Taking a few minutes to clear out anything blocking the unit can help prevent those issues. Trim back any bushes or plants so there are at least a couple of feet of space around it. If you see leaves or dirt stuck inside the unit’s fins — the thin metal slats on the sides — you can gently rinse them off with a hose. Just be careful not to bend them since those fins help the unit cool down properly.
Schedule a Professional Tune-Up
Even if everything is working fine, getting your system checked by a professional in the spring can save you from bigger problems later. An AC maintenance technician can spot small issues before they turn into expensive repairs, and they’ll make sure everything is running as efficiently as possible.
During a tune-up, a technician will check things like your refrigerant level, electrical connections, and the overall condition of your system. They’ll also clean parts of your unit that you can’t easily get to, like the coils inside the air conditioner. Dirty coils can make your system work harder and use more energy.
If your system is older, a maintenance visit can also give you a heads-up on how much life it has left. Sometimes, a technician might recommend replacing a part that’s starting to wear out, which can prevent a breakdown later in the summer when your system is working its hardest. Catching those problems early is always better than sweating through a heatwave while you wait for repairs.
Rely on Professional Expertise
Taking care of your HVAC system this spring doesn’t have to be a huge project. A little cleaning and a professional checkup can go a long way toward keeping your home comfortable when the temperature starts to climb. You’ll save money, stay cool, and avoid those mid-summer repair headaches. Our team expertly handles a complete range of services for air conditioners and heating equipment including HVAC installations, repairs, and tune-ups. If you’re ready to make sure your system in Bellingham is in top shape for spring and beyond, call and schedule a maintenance appointment with us at Marr's Heating and Air Conditioning today.
