Sonoma County has some of the most beautiful spring weather, but while it can be incredible to spend the day outside when it’s nice, Santa Rosa residents know that “nice” can quickly become “stifling” in a matter of hours. The evenings can become very warm. While it may be chilly now, it won’t be too much longer before you start turning off the furnace and cranking up the air conditioner.
March is that middle ground where you don’t necessarily need to blast the heat, but it’s not quite time for the AC, either. This is the perfect time to consider an HVAC system tune-up. Going from heat to cold can reveal some issues since parts of your HVAC system have been dormant for months.
That’s why Valley Comfort Heating and Air recommends having your system checked out before the really warm temperatures hit. If you don’t, you may find yourself suddenly without any air conditioning, and no one wants that. Having a spring tune-up for your AC is just as important as a fall tune-up for your furnace is.
Why Does Your AC Have Issues Right Away?
While it may seem more logical to assume your HVAC is going to have more issues at the end of summer after it cranks away for months, this often isn’t the case. Instead, issues typically occur during the first few weeks of running your AC. That’s because you’re asking your HVAC system to switch gears from heat to cold, but it hasn’t done any cooling for months.
While your air conditioner has been dormant, a few different things have happened. First, it’s gotten dirty. Dust has likely settled on the evaporator coils, while twigs, leaves, and other debris may have fallen into your outdoor condenser unit. It’s even possible some rodents and other pests have gotten in there and tried to make a home for themselves! There’s also the issue of lubricant, which may have dried up over the winter.
If you simply turn on the AC, it’s going to have to work through all of these issues. The unit has to work harder because it’s straining against the friction that comes with debris and a lack of lubricant. This can cause the unit to cycle on and off rapidly, which puts a lot of strain on the compressor. Multiple parts can fail during this rapid cycling.
Why Preventative Maintenance Is Good for Your Budget
While it may seem like a luxury or a waste of money, the numbers say otherwise: investing in preventative maintenance and a yearly or semi-annual tune-up can actually save you a good amount of money. Here are ways that preventative maintenance helps protect your budget:
Lower monthly bills – The U.S. Department of Energy has done a study on filters. The results show that replacing a clogged filter with a new one can actually drop your air conditioner’s energy consumption by as much as 15%. When you clean the coils and calibrate the thermostat, you can save even more.
Extend your HVAC’s life – The average lifespan of a HVAC system should be upwards of 20 years, but if you neglect maintenance and other needs, the system may not even make it ten years. By spending a little bit of money on maintenance, you can avoid spending thousands on a new system sooner rather than later.
Keep your warranty – In the fine print on your HVAC manufacturer’s warranty, there may be a clause requiring annual professional maintenance. If you fail to have this maintenance performed, it could void your warranty. In addition to having the maintenance done, you need to make certain it’s documented correctly. Otherwise, if you need to make use of that warranty, you may have a hard time getting the manufacturer to approve your claim.
What Does a Valley Comfort Spring Tune-Up Look Like?
When a Valley Comfort technician comes to provide maintenance, what can you expect? We do more than just check to see if cool air is blowing out of your AC. Instead, we do a major system audit, making certain that everything is functioning as it should. Here are just a few of the things a spring tune-up entails:
- Condenser coil cleaning – The North Bay wind can blow dirt, pollen, leaves, and other lawn debris right into your outdoor AC unit. If the coils in the unit are covered in grime, they’re not going to work as effectively as they could. Having the coils power-washed will ensure that they disperse a large amount of heat, which will help you control your utility bill.
- Check the amount of refrigerant in the unit – While many people think of refrigerant as something similar to gas in a car, it’s not used up in the same way. If your unit has lost some refrigerant, it typically means that there’s a leak somewhere. If you run your AC with low levels of refrigerant, the coils can freeze up or, even worse, the compressor can burn out. During a tune-up, we’ll check the unit to make certain it has the correct amount of refrigerant.
- Check the electrical connections – in addition to checking the amount of refrigerant in the unit, we will also make certain that the wires are still firmly connected. As the unit heats and cools, the wires and their connectors expand and contract. Over time, this can lead to loose connections. We will tighten all the terminals and check the currents and voltage on the motors to ensure there are no issues.
- Cleaning the condensate drain. You may not realize that while your AC is cooling your home, it’s also dehumidifying it. The moisture that it sucks out of the air has to go somewhere. Typically, it drains out of the condensate drain, but if this drain is clogged up, the water will simply back up into the unit and then into your home. This water damage can be quite expensive to repair, which is why we check the drains during a tune-up.
- Check the airflow and the integrity of your ductwork – Over the years, your home is going to settle. This can lead to very small gaps in your ductwork. While these gaps may not cause any major issues, they do result in air loss. That, in turn, means your AC has to work harder to make your home comfortable, which increases your utility costs. We’ll check your ductwork to make certain there are no gaps and that it’s still in good condition.
Improving Your Indoor Air Quality
One of the things everyone in Santa Rosa thinks about during the summer months is the risk of wildfires. Wildfire season means more than just fire risks, too. The amount of smoke in the air can affect even your indoor air quality. When you’re proactive with your HVAC preventative maintenance, you’ll know if your air filters are still viable. If they’re not, they will get replaced.
We recommend upgrading from the basic fiberglass filter to one rated for allergens and other particles. These filters are noted for improving the indoor air quality and are often used in commercial buildings, but there’s no reason why you can’t use them in your home as well.
Valley Comfort is Here to Get Your HVAC Ready for Spring
While it might seem early, there’s no better time to consider your spring HVAC tune-up. These tune-ups are often done in March, which is rapidly approaching. By scheduling now, you’ll be able to secure a date and time that is convenient for you.
Don’t run the risk of your HVAC having issues this summer. Reach out to Valley Comfort Heating and Air today.
