Spring HVAC Maintenance: Helping Your System Recover from a Harsh Winter
After a long, brutal winter filled with freezing temperatures, high winds, ice storms, and constant heating demands, your HVAC system has been working overtime. Now that spring has arrived, it’s the perfect time to give your heating and cooling equipment some serious TLC before the cooling season kicks in.
Here are the most important spring maintenance steps to help your system recover, run efficiently, and avoid mid-summer breakdowns.
1. Replace (or at least inspect) your air filter
Winter often brings more dust, pet hair, and dried-out debris indoors. A clogged filter forces your system to work harder, increases energy bills, and can reduce indoor air quality. Swap it out for a fresh one—most homes need a new filter every 1–3 months during heavy use seasons.
2. Clear debris from around the outdoor unit
Leaves, twigs, pine needles, seed pods, and even small animal nests can accumulate around your air conditioner’s condenser over winter. Remove everything within 2–3 feet of the unit. Blocked airflow is one of the fastest ways to overheat and damage the compressor once warm weather arrives.
3. Gently clean the condenser coils
If you’re comfortable, use a garden hose (low pressure) to rinse dirt, cottonwood fluff, and grime off the outdoor coil fins. Never use a high-pressure washer—it can bend the delicate fins. Straighten any visibly bent fins with a fin comb if needed.
4. Check and clear the condensate drain line
Winter heating can leave the drain line dry for months, allowing algae, mold, and sludge to build up. Pour a cup of white vinegar or a vinegar-water mix down the drain line (usually near the indoor furnace or air handler) to help flush it. A completely blocked drain can cause water damage inside your home when the AC starts removing humidity.
5. Look at the thermostat
If you still have an older programmable or manual thermostat, make sure the batteries are fresh and the display is working. Consider whether now is the time to upgrade to a smart thermostat that can help you save energy during shoulder seasons.
6. Schedule professional service before you really need it
The single best thing you can do this spring is book a full preventive maintenance visit while we still have openings.
BMB Heating & Cooling will:
Check refrigerant levels
Inspect electrical connections
Clean evaporator and condenser coils thoroughly
Test capacitors and contactors
Lubricate moving parts
Verify overall system performance
Most major problems that cause summer breakdowns are easy and inexpensive to fix when caught in spring—waiting until July usually turns them into expensive emergencies.
A harsh winter puts real stress on every component of your HVAC system. Taking a few hours now to clean, inspect, and service it can mean lower energy bills, better comfort, and fewer surprise repair bills when the temperature climbs.Your air conditioner has been resting—give it a proper spring awakening so it’s ready when you need it most.
LET US HELP GET YOU READY FOR A HOT SUMMER! CONTACT US TODAY AND SCHEDULE YOUR SPRING MAINTENANCE!
