Spring Cleaning Tips for Top-Notch HVAC Efficiency: Part 1

Your HVAC system is by far the biggest user of electricity in your home. So that means it warrants most of your attention when it comes to energy savings.

What simple and easy things can you do for your HVAC system so that you get the most out of it?

Here’s what to do:

1. Change Your Air Filter

Easy to do…and easy to forget. You’ll want to replace your HVAC filter at least monthly during the summer season. And you may even want to do it every 3 weeks.

The rule of thumb is that every time you pay your mortgage, replace your air filter.

If you have some other method for remembering to change it, by all means use it.

Your air filter has a dramatic impact on the efficiency of your HVAC system. And it doesn’t cost much to replace.

So make it your top priority here in spring and early summer.

2. Clear Your Condensate Drain Lines

This is actually easier than you might think at first. You’ll know you have clogged condensate drain lines if you have a puddle of water near your AC’s air handler.

When working, drain lines take condensation out of your home and outside. You have a clog if you have water in the drip pan beneath the AC unit. So you should never see any water in the pan, on the ground, or your floor.

To clear a clog in the drain lines, begin by turning your HVAC system off at the thermostat and your circuit breaker.

Find where your drain lines exit your home and carry water outside. Bring your wet/dry vacuum with you.

Insert the drain line into the hose of your wet-dry vac. Use your hand to seal the air gaps where the two join. It sounds primitive, but that’s all you need to do.

Run your wet/dry vacuum for a minute, and that should take care of any clogs.

If that doesn’t for whatever reason, you can also try using flexible rubber tubing and forcing it through the drain line.

If you’re not comfortable at any point in time, then contact an HVAC repair pro.

3. Clear Obstructions from Around Your AC System

Sticks, grass, bushes, or small trees that have sprouted will have to take up space somewhere else.

If in front of your AC unit, they’ll block the heat as it’s radiated out of your AC system, which cuts your efficiency.

Make sure not to use a weed whip or a lawnmower in a way that blows debris back into your AC system. That simply clogs it with more debris and ruins your efficiency even further.

Instead, manually use a shears, or simply uproot vegetation nearby.

That’s not all! More HVAC energy-efficiency tips to come in part 2.