The Homeowner's Guide To DIY Spring Maintenance And Repairs In 3 Simple Steps

As the warmer weather approaches, you are going to want to start preparing your AC. Much of the work that needs to be done will require the help of a professional HVAC technician, but there are a few maintenance tasks and repairs that you can do yourself, such as cleaning the AC condensing unit or repairing damaged ductwork. Here are the maintenance and repairs that you may want to do yourself this spring:

1. Preparing the AC Unit and Cleaning to Get Ready for Spring

Preparing your AC for warmer weather will involve cleaning the condensing unit. This is the outdoor unit of your AC, which houses the coolant compressor, fins and tubes. When this unit becomes dirty, it causes serious problems with freezing that can lead to costly repairs. When the weather outside is warm enough (60 degrees Fahrenheit), use a light detergent and garden hose to clean the unit. First, make sure the main power is off and remove any large debris like leaves from trees. With a spray bottle, spray the fins with a diluted cleaning mixture, and then rinse with a garden hose. If the fins are damaged, use a soft brush to gently repair them by bending them back into shape.

2. Changing Filters, Checking Thermostats and Preparing Vents

The filters will also need to be changed, and you can do a few other chores while changing the filter. First, make sure that filters and access panels are correctly put in place, and then check to make sure that dampers are adjusted to switch from heating to cooling. This is also a good time to check batteries in thermostats and program them for spring and summer cooling needs.

3. Inspecting Ductwork for Damage and Doing Repairs and Upgrades

The ductwork of your AC is an area where damage can lead to air loss, inefficiency, and higher utility bills. Inspect the ducts for tears in the insulation and repair them. If the insulation has been damaged by water, or is old and falling apart, consider replacing it with more modern materials that help improve energy efficiency. The objective when repairing ducts is to ensure that they do not leak. In addition, you may want to consider improvements like crawl space encapsulation and other insulation improvements.

These are some of the maintenance and repairs that you may want to do yourself this spring. If you need help with major repairs and servicing, contact a professional HVAC contractor like Indoor Weather Professionals to get qualified help and be ready for summer heatwaves.

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