HVAC Tips for Spring
After a long winter, it’s easy to get excited about what spring has to offer. Even here in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, where winters aren’t too bad compared to the rest of the country, it’s nice to feel the temperatures warm up and see the days get longer once again. As this exciting time of year arrives, remember to give your HVAC system the attention it needs to make a smooth transition not only into spring but also for the summer just around the corner.
This article will offer some basic HVAC tips for Spring. If you need help along the way, such as having some maintenance performed or a new piece of equipment installed, reach out to Walker Air • Plumbing • Electric right away for assistance. We would be happy to help!
Plan Out Your Maintenance
Getting good performance out of your HVAC system in the spring – or during any time of year, for that matter – comes down to maintenance first and foremost. If you keep up with your maintenance, your system should be well-prepared to handle spring and the warmer summer weather that is just around the corner.
For starters, make it a habit to change the air filter in your system regularly. This is a simple job that most homeowners can handle on their own.Air filters are affordable and easy to change, so there is no reason to put this off for long. Beyond the filter, bring in the team at Walker Air • Plumbing • Electric for periodic maintenance to keep everything in your HVAC system running as it should. Spring is a great time for this kind of maintenance, as your system will be transitioning from heating in the winter to cooling in the summer.
Use Your Thermostat Wisely
Here in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the spring weather can be – confusing, to say the least. Some days, it will be quite warm, and you’ll feel the urge to kick your system into air conditioning mode to cool off the house. Yet, it’s quite possible the temperatures will take a dive the next day, leading you to go back to the heater rather than the AC. It’s this back-and-forth that can make spring such a tricky time to manage your system.
While you can’t do anything about the weather, you can pay attention to your system’s settings and try to avoid going back and forth between modes too often. For example, imagine a spring day with cool overnight temperatures but forecasted highs in the 80s for the afternoon. When left on an Automatic setting, it’s possible your heat will come on in the morning to warm up the house, then the AC will come on just a few hours later to cool it back down again.
This is the kind of thing you want to avoid. You’ll send your energy bills through the roof and put a lot of wear and tear on your system if you let this happen. Instead, consider letting the house be a little cooler than normal in the morning, knowing it’s soon going to heat up as the sun gets higher in the sky. To execute this strategy, simply keep your thermostat set to one mode at a time – either Heat or Cool – and don’t use the Automatic mode that will both heat and cool depending on the temperature reading at the time.
Pay Attention to Performance
As you make the switch from warming your house to cooling it, pay attention to how the system is performing and reach out for help from Walker Air • Plumbing • Electric if something seems off. It might be that your house isn’t cooling down as it should on the first hot days of spring, or you might find that one or two rooms aren’t cooling down while the rest of the house is fine. Don’t just ignore these kinds of performance problems, as they could be indicative of a deeper problem that can be solved with some maintenance or repair work.
When managed correctly, your HVAC system shouldn’t take up much of your attention – it just works in the background while you go about your day. Consider using some or all of the tips above to put yourself in a good position to have that kind of experience with your HVAC in the spring and summer ahead. And, if the need for help arises, contact Walker Air • Plumbing • Electric to work with our trusted team.