Add Heating/Cooling System Maintenance to Spring Checklist

Spring is fast approaching and the time has come to compose that annual “Spring Cleaning” checklist. Clean the countertops, scrub the floors, dust all surfaces, and tune-up your heating/cooling unit? Believe it or not, heat pump and AC maintenance can be two of spring’s most important tasks, but are often neglected by homeowners. Follow these checklists to ensure that your unit will be up and running just in time for warmer seasons and ready to take on next winter.
Heat Pump Maintenance To-Do’s:
1. Clean your outdoor unit. Just like central air conditioners, heat pumps have an outside unit composed of a compressor, coil, and fan. This outdoor unit should be thoroughly hosed down to remove leaves, dirt, and debris from its fans. First, remove the unit’s grille. Next, insert a hose between the fan blades in order to remove built-up grime.
2. Check piping. Sometimes, the unit’s piping insulation can deteriorate in the winter elements. Inspect the piping to ensure that no such deterioration has occurred. If it has, you can purchase new insulation and simply replace it.
3. Inspect the filter. First, ask a certified heating/cooling contractor to show you how to properly inspect, clean and change air filters. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, leading to early failure. If the filter is clogged or looks dirty, it should be washed or replaced with a new one.
4. Schedule a spring tune-up. Call a local heating and cooling professional and schedule your unit for a tune-up. These pros can make the necessary adjustments to ensure that your heat pump continues to operate efficiently and for years to come.
Air Conditioning Preparation:
1. Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling system keeps you comfortable when you are home and saves energy while you are away.
2. Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major parts.
3. Lubricate all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors and lead to increases in electricity usage.
4. Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner. A plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels.
5. Check controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the starting cycle of the equipment to assure the system starts, operates and shuts off properly.
6. Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce the system’s overall ability and cause it to run longer, increasing energy costs.
7. Check on blower components. They should be cleaned and possibly adjusted to provide proper system airflow.
For more maintenance tips and to schedule a spring check-up, consult these Cape May County heating/cooling authorities:
Celtic Air
39 New Jersey 47, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
(609) 898-9100, www.celticair.com
Bowman’s Cooling and Heating
5104 Pacific Ave, Wildwood, NJ 08260
(609) 522-0121, www.bowmansair.com
-Meg Kummer