Spring Maintenance for Your Home

BATHROOM, KITCHEN, AND ATTIC EXHAUST FANS

These fans work behind the scenes every day to help keep your home ventilated. From removing odors and moisture to circulating the air, your home fans work hard and could use a little TLC. If it’s been a while since you’ve looked at these fans, take some time to look at them now. These are one of those items that are out of sight, out of mind. Take a vacuum hose to the vents to remove dirt and dust that may have accumulated there. Also, take off the vent cover and clean it in a sink with warm water and soap to clean the dirt/dust off. Vacuum inside the unit as well to clean the fan blades of any dust and/or grime. You can also use a cloth or can of compressed air to blow it out instead of vacuuming. Not only will they look better, this should keep them happy and working properly.

AIR RETURNS & VENTS

Similarly, your air returns and vents work hard to keep your home well-ventilated and keep air circulating. Clean vents mean that you will have cleaner air circulating through your home. Check floor vents for items that may have fallen inside. You may even want to send a vacuum hose down to clear out dust and debris that may have fallen as well. Additionally, it’s important to check your air return vents to be sure those are unrestricted and clean of dust and dirt. All of these spring cleaning items will help to keep your HVAC system working properly and efficiently all season long.

CHECK AIR FILTER(S)

The best way to save your furnace from undue wear and tear is to regularly check the furnace air filter to make sure it’s clean. Simply pull the filter out of the furnace and hold it up to the light. If you can’t see light through it, it’s dirty and needs to be replaced. Filter replacement is relatively inexpensive and can save years on your furnace’s life. Think about it like this: how much harder do you have to work to take a deep breath if you’re breathing through a straw? Similarly, if dirt, dust, pet hair, and other particles in your filter are blocking airflow, it makes it hard for your furnace to “breathe.” If your furnace or air conditioner isn’t getting proper airflow, it has to work harder, straining all of the vital components in your system. Checking your filter is a quick spring clean checklist stop that could save you a lot of money down the road!

AIR CONDITIONER UNIT

Speaking of home appliances that need to breathe, your outside air conditioner condenser unit also needs plenty of space to do its job. If you’ve covered your outside A/C unit for the winter, make sure you uncover it before turning on the air conditioning for the spring. If the unit has become covered in branches, yard clippings, weeds, or any other obstructions, make sure these are removed as well so the unit can function effectively. Make sure any wood piles, toys, yard implements, or anything else aren’t obstructing airflow to the air conditioner so it’s ready for action this spring and summer when the weather heats up!

SPIGOTS & FAUCETS

Another leak hazard that often goes overlooked are the spigots on the outside of your home. Prone to freezing and breaking, these pipes and spigots see the very most extreme weather conditions—and the most extreme treatment. They can be damaged by lawn mowers, trimmers, or other yard tools and abused by kids looking for summer amusement. Therefore, it’s always a great idea to check on your outdoor lines to make sure they aren’t cracked, broken, or leaking.

OUTSIDE POWER LINES

Before you trim tree limbs and shrubs, make sure there are no power lines hiding behind them. If you are concerned about tree limbs growing on or around overhead power lines on your property, call your local utility provider. Or, just perform a thorough visual inspection of the area to make sure you won’t be damaging or interfering with any overhead power lines.

UNDERGROUND LINES

With over 20 million miles of underground utilities in the United States, lines are literally everywhere! Underground utility lines like power and phone lines are just as dangerous as overhead power lines, and since you can’t see them, it’s almost impossible to know where they are. If your spring plans involve digging of any kind, like digging up ground for a garden or planting a tree, make sure you call 811 to confirm that it’s safe to dig in that area. For more information, go to http://www.call811.com.

Keep your home happy by giving your home’s systems a spring cleaning. This ensures that everything continues to work properly for years to come! However, if you ever come across an issue with any of your systems—or if you find you’re in over your head as you’re performing some of these tasks in your home—call a certified HVAC, plumbing, or electrical technician you trust. Your technician can help you diagnose problems, fix any issues, and help you get the most out of your equipment.