Despite a very mild Winter, most of us are optimistic about the warmer temperatures ahead! This seasonal shift towards increased outdoor living and activity also signals the need to start our Spring cleaning indoors where we’ve been nesting over the past Winter months. Whether your Spring cleaning includes a deep clean of your grill, taking out the patio furniture, or any number of other activities, please be sure your home comfort system gets some love, too. Here are a few great tips to ensure you protect your investment, and get the most reliable service from them:
Test Your AC Early
At the first sign of warm temperature, be sure to turn on your air conditioner to ensure it’s ready for the Summer heat. Here are some pro tips for a great startup:
Before You Power Up
- If it was covered for the Winter, be sure to remove this.
- Clear the surrounding area of tall grass or any loose debris.
- With your garden hose on a fan spray setting, wash the entire unit down to remove dust and pollen from the coil.
- Ensure your furnace filter is clean.
Powering Up
- Ensure the breaker or fuse powering it is set correctly. Also check the outdoor disconnect switch is in the on position.
- Set your thermostat to cool at a lower temperature than your house is at now and listen for the outside unit to start up.
- If the unit does not come on or the unit is noisy and you’ve done all the other steps above, call your local ClimateCare for a hand; we’re here to help.
Clean Your ERV/HRV Core and Filters
Many homes have an Energy Recovery Ventilator or Heat Recovery Ventilator system installed. It works to bring fresh outdoor air into your home. There are typically two filters on the outside of your home at the intake and exhaust of this unit, and now’s a great time to clean them! If they get too clogged up with dust and debris, the motor of your unit will work harder to pull in and exhaust the air, using more electricity, and significantly shortening the lifespan of that motor.
It’s also important to clean the filters and the core inside the ERV/HRV unit itself. In many cases, the inside is accessed by undoing two latches that allow the access door to swing open. This should interrupt the electricity to the unit, but you should unplug it beforehand to be safe. In most units, there are two filters inside, and a core. The filters are washable with water, as is the core. Once they’ve dried, put them back inside the unit, snap the door shut, and plug it back in.
Because your air exchanger is constantly dealing with indoor and outdoor air, it sees a lot of humidity. Unlike the particle debris you just cleaned, this won’t stick to the filters and just wash away; it collects inside the piping or tubing. If you’re able to get at it with a safe disinfectant, this is recommended as overly moist areas are breeding grounds for mould and bacteria. If you don’t have the ability to, it’s a good idea to have it periodically cleaned by a professional.
Check Your CO Detectors
Spring is a great time to check your carbon monoxide detectors. This invisible and unscented gas can cause incredible harm to your health, and is lethal with prolonged exposure (like when you’re sleeping overnight). Take a few minutes this Spring to ensure you have CO detectors on every floor of your home, that they’re not expired (the sensors are only effective for 8-10 years on most models), and that the batteries are fresh in case there’s a power outage.
PRO TIP: label your units with their expiry date so you know when it’s time to replace them.
Change Your Furnace Filter
The supply and return air ductwork in your home are like lungs that circulate air throughout your home. It’s important that the filter at the furnace is kept clean, even in cooling season. Too much debris will impede airflow which will cause your mechanical equipment to overcompensate. In short, letting your filter get too dirty will cost you more in electricity and shorten the lifespan of your equipment, so it’s important to be diligent about this. If you’re using standard 1″ filters, be sure to check them once a month, or more if you have lots of pets or during renovations. If you’ve got a larger, 5″ pleated media filter, that’s generally good for an entire year, but worth checking too.
