It’s that time of the year when we open the windows to smell the fresh air to clear the dust and start clearing out some of the clutter from the winter. However, the large appliances of your home, like your HVAC unit, are just as important as the visuals and organization of your home. By taking the right steps to prepare your air conditioning unit will ensure you are ready for comfort once the heat from the summer arrives. Below are five important tips to getting your HVAC and Air Conditioning unit ready for optimal service this season. Replacing your filter is the first step to having an efficiently running AC unit. Dirt and grime can cause the moving parts of your air conditioning unit to cease, freeze up and also release extra dust/allergens into the air of your home. Keep an extra few filters near your furnace to change/replace monthly during the HVAC busy season. Make sure to check around the perimeter of the AC unit. Cut & clear out any overgrowth of plants and remove any items that may have fallen onto the unit.

Air flow through the screens is important for optimal usage. It is ideal to take a leaf blower to clear out any dirt and/or leaves from inside the screen. Also, take a look at the drain hole on the unit to ensure it is clear so condensation can drain from the unit. It is very common for the ductwork to have imperfections in some areas, especially in the older homes. Any holes will lead to wasted air exchange and wasted money. Patching these holes with caulk or even duct tape can get the job done.how long should an outdoor ac unit last Keep in mind that mold, dust, and mildew will build up inside your duct work. how to calculate size of ac unitWe highly recommend having on of our Cappy professionals come to your home and clean it for you. best home hvac air filters

There are several benefits to this which lead to increased efficiency of your AC & Furnace Units and reduced allergens that can cause sickness. Test Run your AC Unit There is nothing worse than having a hot home with a non-working AC unit. This can all be avoided by testing the unit for a few hours this spring to make sure it is working properly. Preparation is key to your comfort this summer! Each spring we service hundreds of local homeowners by helping maintain HVAC systems for optimal usage. With our 30+ years of business in the Southeast Michigan HVAC industry, we are experts at what we do. Give us a call to discuss your options and we guarantee you HVAC system will be working properly and can save you money this summer. Call for an appointment today.Air filters are almost always dirty, and it’s by design. The purpose of an air filter is to collect all of the dirt, dust, and debris. The air filter in your home is meant to clean the air as it passes through, making the air you breathe cleaner.

It stands to reason with anything designed to collect dust, dirt, and impurities – it might need to be cleaned occasionally. If it’s not cleaned occasionally, it can’t do the job it’s designed to do. Air forced through a dirty air filter can release dust and dirt into the home that has accumulated for weeks or even months. A dirty filter can also clog, reduce air flow, and contaminate the air. Many of us don’t put enough time or thought into changing the filters in appliances, HVAC systems, air conditioning units, etc. You know the old saying, “out of sight, out of mind”? The filters may be hidden from view but they should be on your mind. Clean air filters = a clean home. First, let's take a look at some of the different filter options you have to look at: These types of filters are probably the most economical of the disposable filters. They are very inexpensive and capture larger particles of lint and dust protecting the heating and air system.

Pleated filters are made of a more dense tight material and will remove more impurities from the air than the fiberglass filters do. Pleated filters help to maintain cleaner coils resulting in a cleaner house, and protects from: Some pleated filters can last up to 90 days of protection. For the best air quality, this filter features an electrostatic charge and will attract large and microscopic contaminants. If you have an allergy sufferer in the house, this might be the filter to consider using. Pleated and electrostatic filters also have a MERV rating on the label for the filters effectiveness. The standard rating is 10. The higher the number, the fewer micro-particles are allowed through to linger in the home. Washable air filters have a static charge which will attract dust, dirt and other particles. These filters are more effective than disposable ones and more environmentally friendly. They do, however, require a little more work to maintain them and they can be more expensive.

If you are not sure your filter needs to be cleaned, take it out and hold it up to a good source of light. If the filter is still see-through – it’s clean. If you can’t see through it – it’s dirty and should be cleaned. For best results when cleaning your washable filters, follow these guidelines: Take the filter outside and gently spray down with the garden hose. Do not use a full force of water, you don't want to damage your filter. Depending on the time of year and where you live - you can also rinse the filter in the shower. Some filters require a specific side to be sprayed so as not to push the dirt deeper into the filter; check for instructions on the frame. If your filter is super dirty and clogged with pet hair, grease, smoke residue, etc. you can do the following: These instructions can also apply to cleaning the filter in a window mounted unit. Your average disposable filters are typically made of fiber mesh in a cardboard frame.

These filters are designed for one time use and they are not that expensive to buy. Depending on the environment you live in, the time of year, and the type of disposable filter you purchase will determine how often you should change it. Changing disposable filters is typically done between one to six months. For instance, you may want to clean your disposable filter more often if: Before you take out the filter, vacuum the outside and around the filter encasement. After you remove the filter, you should vacuum behind it, to catch any stray dust and particles. Replace the old disposable filter with a new one. Very easy to do! Many of our small and large appliances have filters that need to be cleaned as well but are frequently neglected. Check the filters in the following appliances on a regular schedule to help keep them running optimally. Remember the cleaner your filter, the more efficient the product using it will run. I hope we’ve given you some good tips to help keep your home cleaner.