How To Prepare Your HVAC Unit For The Warmer Months

The wintertime is when your HVAC units work overtime while withstanding the ultra low temperatures of the season. This is why it is important to perform preventive maintenance on all HVAC equipment this spring. You don’t want any of your air conditioners malfunctioning in the middle of the warmer months, so be sure to do all the things in the simple checklist we have provided below.

Here are some of the things on our HVAC spring start-up checklist:

1. Check the exterior of the equipment.

If any part of your HVAC unit is exposed outside, be sure to check all of its panels to ensure that everything is still keeping all your electrical connections together. If you see that some panels are missing or misaligned, do not turn on the machine. Instead, call a technician to inspect all the electrical connections and confirm that everything is in order. This step will minimize the risk of hazards and breakdowns in the future.

2. Remove all protective covers, lids and blankets.

A lot of people put covers on their condensers as well as coil blankets and lids to protect these parts from the harsh snow. Always remove these protective layers before turning on your HVAC unit. A considerable percentage of HVAC repair jobs in a year are due to forgetfulness. Turning on your air conditioner with the coil blanket or condenser cover on will most likely lead to damages that will inconvenience your workplace and deplete your funds.

3. Check your unit’s suction line.

Sun exposure, ice water, trapped snow and winter animals that get stuck in your pipe insulation are all causes of trouble for your HVAC unit. Damages to your insulation line will make it difficult for your machine to resupply refrigerant to the compressor, which in turn demands that the machine work double time to supply the right temperature.

If you see that your suction line has incurred some damages, get in touch with a technician to have it replaced. It is important that you do this before turning on the machine to lessen protracted problems.

4. Clean the outdoor coil.

Like all the machine’s exposed parts, the outdoor coil may also have some debris stuck to it. Be sure to take out all the debris because the coil’s ability to supply heat will be lessened with the presence of debris. Don’t forget to also clean the surrounding areas of the coil because any dirt or debris stuck to these parts could easily get blown into the coil.

5. Clean or replace the air filter.

Your air filters must have seen better days, especially after a long season of snow and icy debris. If you don’t replace your air filter, your HVAC unit won’t be able to cool properly because the presence of all the debris blocking the airflow. You can try replacing this yourself by looking for step-by-step guides online, but it is highly recommended that you hire the services of an HVAC technician to help you.

6. Clean all the vents and grills.

Just like the air filter, your vents and grills will see a lot more dust, dirt and debris after the winter months. Clean these areas first to ensure good airflow throughout your machine’s usage. You will be racking up your power bills if you leave the vents and grills blocked because your HVAC units will have to work double as hard just to keep your office environment cool and comfortable.

7. Clean or replace the coil drainage hose.

As with your machine’s other parts, the plastic hose that drains used and dirty water out of your machine will also need some attention. Be sure to also check that the hose is still properly attached and aligned so you don’t have to skip over puddles in your work area.

To fully get your commercial HVAC equipment ready for the rest of the year, get in touch with a licensed, trained and professional team of specialists like Level One HVAC. You can trust us to take care of all your HVAC needs with premium service and efficiency. Call us at 248-486-6500 today or use our on-line contact form and one of our friendly staff will be in touch shortly.

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