In Canada, heating and cooling account for the majority of the energy that an average home requires. Your HVAC equipment is vital to ensuring that your family’s comfort level is where it needs to be throughout the changing seasons. Canada has a unique climate that fluctuates quite a bit during the year.
Each spring, you need to prepare your system for late-season cold snaps as well as the warm summer months. In this guide, we are going to look at some of the spring maintenance tips that you should be aware of to make sure your HVAC system works efficiently and keeps you comfortable.
Replace Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system play a big part in the quality of the air that you breathe all summer. That said, this is especially true when it comes to pollen, dust, and debris that can clog your air filters and restrict the airflow in your home. Canada has a high amount of tree pollen in the spring and a high amount of grass and weed pollen through August. This means that you will need to make sure that your filtration system is efficient during these months.
The best way to ensure this is to change the filter early in the season and continue to do so every two to three months. At Armour Home Comfort, we also suggest that if someone in your home has severe allergies or other breathing issues, you may need to change the filter more often, perhaps once a month, to make sure that your indoor air quality is not hindering that person’s ability to breathe. If you don’t change your filters when they need it, the efficiency of the HVAC system could reduce by up to 15%. That is a drastic amount that will definitely make your energy bills higher.
If your family has pets inside your living space or someone suffers from severe allergies, there are different types of filters that you can consider for your HVAC system. A traditional fiberglass filter is typically used in most HVAC systems. However, you can use pleated filters that capture smaller particles present in the air. This could decrease airborne allergens sufficiently to stop irritation in the airways of your family members. If this option does not trap enough of the smallest particles in the air, there are also HEPA filters that capture particles as small as 0.3 microns in size.
Inspect the Condenser
The condenser in your HVAC system is outside your home, exposed to the elements throughout the year. This means there can be ice and snow that clog the unit during the colder months, and once the snow melts, it can leave twigs and dirt behind. It’s wise to have a professional clean the condenser out to remove debris that could block the airflow and cause the system to overheat. If you attempt to clean out the unit yourself, never use water directly on the condenser because there are electrical components inside that you do not want to damage.
Check the Thermostat for Efficiency
One thing that many forget to do when the season changes is to adjust the thermostat so that it is at a comfortable temperature, even when the temperature shifts. When you have more control over the temperature of your home, you use less energy because the system is more efficient. This will save you money in the long run because your utility bill will be lower.
If you are ready to upgrade your thermostat to a programmable model, reach out to us at Armour Home Comfort. We want you to be able to adjust the temperature in your home with ease. A programmable thermostat will allow you to do this from your phone.
That means you can go to work with the air cooler so the kids are comfortable getting ready for school. Once they are out the door, you can then decrease the cool air coming from the system, making it warmer and less comfortable while no one is at home. Before returning home, you can cool off the space again so that you don’t have to be uncomfortable while it is adapting. Scheduling automatic temperature adjustments like this actually reduces energy consumption by up to 20%.
Inspect and Clean Ducts
The ductwork in your home is the main way that air moves from room to room, distributing cooler air in the summer. Dust and debris that get into your HVAC system can clog the ducts as well. If the airflow doesn’t seem right, bring in a professional.
Our team can clean the duct system and check it for leaks. If air is escaping your ductwork, we will find out where. Leaky ducts can make your HVAC system less effective and create uneven heating and cooling in your home. In fact, an air leak can let 30% of the already-cooled air out of your ducts before it reaches your living space.
Clean Vents for Better Airflow
Other components of your HVAC system that may need maintenance are the vents and the registers in your home. These play a key role in releasing the air from the ductwork into your living space, and if the dust on them is extensive, you need to clean them. This dust will clog the vents and restrict the airflow. Typically, you can easily pick up this dust with a vacuum or a wet cloth. However, if the vents have excess clogging from pet hair or something else, you might need professional assistance to clean them properly.
Regular Maintenance Prepares Homes for Summer
To keep your HVAC system in top condition, you need to ensure that you schedule maintenance at least twice a year. This will ensure that the system does not overwork to deal with our cold, harsh winters or hot, humid summers. Make sure that you schedule a maintenance session in the fall to prepare the system for winter and in the spring to get ready for summer. If you prepare for the impending weather before it hits, your system will be more efficient, and you will be far less likely to need unexpected repairs during peak use of your HVAC equipment.
During the maintenance session, members of our team at Armour Home Comfort will come out to your home to run a professional inspection of your entire HVAC system. We will check the refrigerant level of the AC or the ignition mechanism of the furnace, the blower motor, the safety devices, and electrical connections in your HVAC. We’ll clean out the equipment and lubricate moving parts. Early detection of potential problems is key to ensuring that small issues never become big ones.
Count on a Reliable Local HVAC Company
At Armour Home Comfort, we have more than 30 years of experience providing a full range of HVAC services to the residents of Belleville, ON. Our company is family-owned, and since we treat our customers as though they were a part of that family, our first concern when you reach out to us will be your comfort. We know how to deal with the unique weather conditions found in this part of Canada, so give us a call today to schedule an appointment for any of your HVAC needs in or near Belleville.
