A Guide to Spring AC Maintenance for Homeowners

Is it just you, or is spring 2024 in Sacramento, CA, unusually warm?

Well, you may not be imagining things. According to experts, spring this year in Sactown has a 40% to 50% chance of having higher-than-normal temperatures.

That warmer spring on the horizon likely means you’ll have to fire up your air conditioner earlier. For the same reason, you should consider getting your spring AC maintenance done before temperatures swell even more. This way, you can prevent your cooling system from breaking down in the summer when you need it the most. 

This guide covers the basics of caring for your AC this spring, so read on. 

Safety First

Before doing any HVAC maintenance, always turn the system off. The last thing you want is to experience an electrical shock injury, which can cause injuries like burns.

First, power off your HVAC system through the thermostat. Then, set the disconnect switch to the OFF position. You should find this switch outside, mounted on an exterior wall near your outdoor HVAC unit.

Next, go to your main electric service panel and look for a circuit breaker switch labeled “HVAC” or “HVAC system.” Move this switch to the OFF position.

Wait at least 30 minutes before proceeding with the rest of the steps in this HVAC maintenance guide. This gives any residual current in your AC enough time to dissipate.

While waiting, wear gloves, goggles, and a face mask for personal protection. They can help prevent accidental exposure to contaminants or debris as you work on your HVAC system. It’s also wise to change into old, comfortable clothes that you wouldn’t mind getting dirty. 

Mind the Outdoor HVAC Unit

The outdoor unit of your HVAC system is the “condenser.” Its primary job is to release the heat from the air that the indoor unit has absorbed inside your home to the outdoors.

As it’s outside, the condenser unit is much more prone to collecting dirt and debris build-up. Without proper HVAC care, the outdoor unit can become so clogged it’ll have difficulty releasing hot air.

That can lead to your AC using more energy and taking longer to cool the air inside your home. This issue can even be dangerous during Sacramento heatwaves. At the very least, your home will feel uncomfortably warm, and your energy bills will likely spike.

So, to keep your outdoor unit in top condition, do the following steps. 

Inspect and Clear Debris

Inspect the outdoor unit and remove dirt and debris, such as twigs and trash, that may have collected on and around it.

You can also remove the fan cage with a screwdriver or wrench to clear the interiors of the metal box. Be careful when lifting the fan, though, as you don’t want to disconnect or damage the wires. You can then clear the inside by hand or with a wet/dry vacuum. 

Ensure There’s Adequate Clearance

Keep all sides of the outdoor HVAC unit clear and free of obstructions. There should be at least two to three feet of clearance on all sides. For instance, if you have shrubs or potted plants nearby, move them further away.

Clean the Fins

HVAC fins are tiny, thin metal strips in indoor and outdoor HVAC units. They aid in heat transfer and, in the condenser unit, also help release hot air into the environment.

Since the condenser sits outside, its HVAC fins can quickly become clogged with dirt and debris. They’re also quite fragile and easy to bend. Either way, these issues can hinder airflow.

So, as part of your spring AC maintenance, inspect the fins on your outdoor HVAC unit. If they’re full of dirt, you can clean them using a fin comb, a tool designed to clean and straighten bent fins. You can buy them online or at a local hardware store.

Be very careful when cleaning or straightening the fins to prevent further damage. 

Wash or Replace Air Filters

As beautiful as Sacramento is, it’s one of the top 10 cities with the worst air pollution. That polluted air can enter your home through open windows, doors, air leaks, and your HVAC system.

Fortunately, your HVAC system’s air filters also help mitigate indoor air pollution. These filters screen and trap air pollutants before they reach and dirty up your HVAC system’s interior components. Because of these functions, they also help boost your home’s indoor air quality.

However, because of their job, air filters can become clogged, usually within one to three months.

So, for your spring HVAC maintenance, inspect the air filters and change or wash them if they have an ash-like layer of debris. Doing this can help lower your AC’s energy use by around 5% to 15%. Then, inspect them monthly throughout the cooling season and replace or clean them as needed. 

Clean the Condensate Pan

Also called the AC drain pan or tray, this crucial component of your AC is in the indoor unit, below the evaporator coils. Its job is to collect the condensation (the water droplets) that form during the cooling process. The collected water exits your home through the drain pipe connected to the tray.

The condensate pan’s drain pipe must always be clear and clog-free for the water to drain and leave your home. So, if you can’t remember the last time you had it cleaned, this spring season is the best time to do it. You should also regularly inspect and clean it throughout the cooling season.

Here are the steps to clean the AC drain tray:

• Remove as much moisture from the pan as possible with a rag
• Use a wet/dry vacuum to clean and suck potential clogs from the drain pipe
• Pour a gallon of water straight down the drain to see if it moves quickly

As you clean the drain pan, look for cracks, dents, or damages. If you find any, it may be time to replace the tray before it causes water damage.

To be sure, contact a reliable Sacramento HVAC diagnostic service provider. With their skills and expertise, they can determine whether they can fix your drain pan or if a replacement is necessary. 

Don’t Forget the Air Vents

Ducted HVAC systems use return air registers and supply vents. Return air registers suck air into the system for cooling (or heating). Supply vents are conduits of conditioned air, blowing cooled (or heated) air throughout your home.

If your air vents become clogged or obstructed, they’ll inhibit airflow in and out of your HVAC system. This can lead to problems like insufficient cooling, cold and hot spots, reduced comfort, and higher energy bills.

So, this spring, take the time to check all HVAC vents and ensure they are free of debris and obstructions. Move furnishings too close to the vents further away. All supply vents should be completely open, too, as even partial closure can interfere with airflow. 

Schedule Professional AC Maintenance Services

Are you not keen on disassembling your HVAC system but it’s visibly full of dirt? Or perhaps you don’t have the time to perform all the maintenance tasks above.

Either way, your best bet is to hire a Sacramento HVAC company. Their comprehensive HVAC services include cleaning and tuning up your HVAC system from inside to out.

Here are just a few things you can expect from a professional HVAC maintenance service:

• Thorough inspection of your entire HVAC system
• Cleaning the exterior and interior parts of your indoor and outdoor HVAC units
• Calibrating the thermostat
• Checking and tightening all electrical connections
• Lubricating all moving parts (as needed)
• Changing or washing the air filters

Highly experienced HVAC technicians will also inspect your system thoroughly for potential problems. If they find any, expect them to make appropriate recommendations to address the issues. You can then have them repair whatever needs fixing to prevent these problems from becoming more severe HVAC emergencies. 

Consider Investing in Duct Cleaning/Replacement Service

During your spring HVAC maintenance service, the expert technician can inspect your air ducts, too. You should then consider having the pro clean them, especially if:

• It has been years since you last had your ducts cleaned
• You suspect vermin (e.g., mice and rats) invaded your home last winter and are now living in your ducts
• The air from your air vents smells foul or moldy
• You can see molds growing on your air vents
• Your air vents get very dusty quickly

While cleaning your ductwork, the experienced technician will also look for signs of duct and insulation damage. If they find any, they’ll suggest repairs or replacements to prevent more costly air leakages from occurring. 

Keep Your Cool With Proper Spring AC Maintenance

Proper spring AC maintenance helps your unit cool your home efficiently without using too much energy. It also enhances indoor air quality. These should be good enough reasons to follow our tips to make your air conditioner perform at its peak.

Better yet, rely on our HVAC experts at American Energy Air. We’ve been in business for over 40 years, providing only high-quality HVAC services to our Sacramento customers. 

So, contact us today! We look forward to giving your AC a comprehensive tune-up service to prepare it for spring and summer.