Your HVAC, which stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, should always be part of your spring cleaning routine to remove allergens, maintain its efficiency, and keep its warranty.
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Eliminate Dust
A good rule of thumb is to do vacuuming at least once a week, ideally with a vacuum with HEPA filters. To further remove the dust, wash your bedding and wipe hard surfaces using a damp cloth or microfiber regularly.
With thorough dusting, you reduce the amount of dust making its way into the ducts; this allows your HVAC system to work more efficiently.
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Remove Clutter or Debris
If you have an outdoor HVAC unit, remove anything that interferes with its airflow; this might involve pruning shrubs, cutting grass, and decluttering your outdoor area. The goal is to create at least 1-2 feet of space around your outdoor HVAC unit.
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Seek Professional A/C Tune-UP
Even before the weather starts to get warmer, schedule your A/C for its yearly tune-up. A professional technician will check for any issue, clean the unit, and change the filters.
A/C tune-up allows your system to function more efficiently (which means lower electricity bill), prevent breakdown during summer, and remove contaminants trapped in the filter.
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Seek Professional Deep Cleaning of Your Duct
Most HVAC technicians recommend professional deep cleaning of your air ducts every 2-3 years to improve airflow and indoor air quality, reduce electricity bill, and prolong the life of your HVAC system.
Regular deep cleaning of air ducts is essential if someone in your home suffers from asthma, or if you have furry companions that shed fur and dander.
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Wash Your Solar Panels
If you have solar panels, the usual recommendation is to wash them at least once a year. However, the frequency depends on how dusty your area is; for instance, if your home is next to the main road or near farmland, you may need to do more cleaning because of the amount of dust, dirt, and grime your panels are exposed to regularly.
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Clean Your Fan Blades
Wipe your fan blades with a damp cloth or microfiber to remove dust and grime. Doing so will improve the indoor air quality and reduce the amount of dirt making its way into the HVAC ducts.
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Replace Your Air Filters
The frequency at which you change your air filters depends on many factors, including the quality of filters, the number of tenants (including the furry companions), and how often you use your HVAC system.
- Every six to 12 months if your HVAC only runs a few times a year
- Every three months if you regularly use your heating and cooling system with high-quality pleated air filters
- Every month if you frequently use your HVAC with lower quality fiberglass filters
- Every two months if you frequently use your HVAC and you have asthma, or there are young children in the home
Final Words
While you can do most of these spring cleaning tips all by yourself, you may need HVAC professionals if you require “deep cleaning” or want a maintenance check and preventative care to ensure that your cooling and heating systems work efficiently.
