Here is the ultimate HVAC Checklist Guide.
Let’s start with the quick and easy AC check-ups.
Air filters:
We recommend you change your air filter every three months, or if you suffer from allergies or poor indoor air quality, replace your air filter every month.
Clean your system:
The easiest way to do a quick clean of your AC is to brush away any debris around the system. This will give your system “breathing room” so it can do its job efficiently.
Want more info on cleaning your AC? Read up on how to clean indoor/outdoor coils: How Do You Clean Indoor/Outdoor AC Coils?
Negative Effects of Dirty Evaporator/Condenser Coils:
- Increased energy bills/consumption
- Increased wear and tear on the system
- Decreased cooling effect
How to Clean Your AC Evaporator Coils Without Removing It
Evaporator coils should be cleaned and checked as needed. If you find your coils are extremely dirty, try checking them once a month. You can also have a scheduled cleaning arranged every three months during hotter times of the year. The evaporator coils are located in an access panel on the side of the AC unit. You can loosen the panel with a screwdriver to gain easy access.
Before Cleaning:
- Turn off your AC at the thermostat.
- Loosen the screws that hold the access panel up for entry.
Cleaning AC Coils With a Brush:
Image: Sunline Club
If you decide to clean with a brush, there are a few things to know. Cleaning with a brush can provide you with more control over the amount of pressure applied to the coils. This approach also helps you avoid harsh chemicals and liquids.
Start scrubbing the coils with the brush and push away any dirt that has accumulated. Brush harder in some areas that have a lot of buildup. Be mindful to avoid wire brushes or brushes with hard bristles. You don’t want to ruin the fins on your AC unit.
Cleaning AC Coils With Mild Detergent and Water:
If you don’t want to use harsh chemicals, but still want an easy way to keep your AC clean, then mix water and a mild detergent in a spray bottle. Spray this solution on your evaporator coils and let it sit for a few seconds. Then wipe away with a soft cloth or paper towel.
Before Cleaning Condenser Coils:
Shut off the power to the AC unit. This is the safest way to make sure no surprises arise while you’re cleaning your unit. You can use a pump sprayer to clean the condenser coils. Fill the sprayer with the cleaning detergent and start spraying the AC unit. Once you’re done spraying with the detergent, let it sit for a few minutes. After the detergent has soaked, take a hose and spray the AC unit with water. This will rinse any remaining detergent and leave your condenser coils clean. Make sure to spray away the leftover debris around the unit.
How to Clean Your AC Condenser Coils
Image: Your Dallas Handyman
Install A Programmable Thermostat
When the sun is out and the weather is nice, most people are outdoors! Install a programmable thermostat to keep your energy bills down and have an efficient household. Check out this blog to see if it’s time to upgrade your thermostat:
When Should I Upgrade My Thermostat?
Landscaping:
Any landscaping that provides shade will create an extra barrier between the sun and your home. For natural shade, plants like vines, shrubs, and trees work best. But before you head over to the closest hardware store or nursery, take some time to devise a thoughtful plan since landscaping, gardening and the like can be fickle. In the meantime, here are some suggestions to get you started.
Vines
Vines are a surprising way to give your home some extra cooling power and lower your electricity bills during summer. As vines grow up the sides of your home, they create a barrier between the sun and your home. This makes it harder for the weather to influence the temperature indoors and will give your AC a break. Lots of vine varieties can thrive in Florida’s hot and humid climate, making them low maintenance. It also doesn’t hurt that vines can be absolutely beautiful too!
Shrubs and Bushes
Besides being aesthetically pleasing, shrubs can also keep your home cool in more ways than one. Planting shrubs near windows and along the sides of your home can create an extra barrier between the sun and your home. This makes it harder for your home to induct outside heat, so you’ll be cool and comfy indoors without having to crank the AC on all day long.
Another way to utilize shrubs is by planting them near the condenser unit of your air conditioner. When the sun shines down on your condenser unit, it has to work harder to cool itself down, which can increase your energy costs. But by creating additional shade for the condenser unit, your system won’t have to work overtime to cool your home.
Trees
Did you know that planting well-placed trees could save you upwards of $250 each year on your energy bills? Trees provide extra shade to your home, which means your AC won’t have to work as hard to cool your home. If you choose to plant trees, opt for trees that have high branches and spreading crowns to provide optimal shade. And don’t forget: keep your tree branches well maintained during hurricane season! Nobody likes the chances of fallen branches during a severe thunderstorm.
Take Your Green Thumb Indoors: Plants Can Improve Your Indoor Air Quality.
Spider Plant
It takes a lot to kill this plant, so even if you tend to neglect watering houseplants, don’t worry. The Spider plant, formerly known as Chlorophytum comosum, battles benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene.
Gerbera Daisy
This plant is beautiful with its bright colored petals. Formerly known as Gerbera jamesonii, the gerber daisy is effective at removing trichloroethylene (which is a common chemical found in dry cleaning). Gerber Daisies also fight benzene.
Chrysanthemum
These flowers are beautifully colorful and not only help with your indoor air quality, but also brighten up any room. They come in pretty much every color so you can use them to style your room decor. They help filter out benzene, a chemical which makes its way into your house through glue, paint, plastics, and detergent.
Peace Lily
The Peace Lily can improve your IAQ by a significant amount. This beautiful plant helps reduce the level of mold spores in your home. It absorbs the spores through its leaves and uses them as food. If you put your Peace Lily in the bathroom, it will help keep shower tiles and curtains mildew-free.
Chinese Evergreen
Southern Living has called this the easiest houseplant to take care of. So with that killer reputation, they are also able to remove toxins the longer they are out in the air. They bloom in low light and will produce red berries.
Aloe Vera
This succulent is easy to grow and loves being in the sun. It helps clear formaldehyde and benzene from the house. We recommend putting your aloe plant in a sunny kitchen window. This plant has been used for thousands of years. The gel inside the plant has tremendous healing properties as well.
Azalea
Azaleas, formerly known as Rhododendron simsii, thrive in cool areas. They work great in basements, but for us Floridians, anywhere with cooler temperatures will do. They agree with humid environments and are able to help combat formaldehyde.
These plants are easy to take care of and increase your IAQ all at the same time. You can rest easy at night knowing that your house looks beautiful and lively, and you’ll also be able to breathe easily.
Rotate Your Ceiling Fans:
Rotate your ceiling fans counterclockwise during hotter temperatures to circulate the air in the house. This will keep your space cool while also cutting down on your AC usage.
Install a UV Light
UV light technology can drastically improve your home’s IAQ. By having a UV light installed in the air handler of your air conditioning system, the ultraviolet light attacks germs and prevents them from reproducing. Once the light is placed in your system, it can kill up to 90 percent of surface microbes and can sterilize 99 percent of your system…just within 24 hours!
Call Colman Heating and Air for Preventative HVAC Maintenance
At Colman Heating and Air, we are passionate about providing you the best IAQ and comfort possible. For some of these tasks on the honey-do list, we recommend calling us to give you a hand!
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