It’s that time of year again. Spring is in full swing which means flowers are blooming, lawn mowers are cutting, and you’ll be spring cleaning! Fertilizing your lawn, gardening, and power washing are common spring cleaning activities, but don’t forget about your air quality. Your air conditioning unit is going to need a deep spring cleaning after the winter months. Having clean air in your home is very important for you and your family’s health. Follow these 5 steps to give your AC unit the cleaning it needs to prevent it from looking like this!
1. Investigate your AC unit
First, you will need to look at a few features around your unit. Whether your system is located outside of your home or in the attic, you will need to check the unit’s surroundings. Keep an eye out for any overgrown grass or hedges, loose debris, or boxes that may be crowding the space of your unit. Anything within a three foot radius should be moved away.
2. Check the ductwork
The main contributor to poor air quality in a home is dirty and leaking ductwork. The ducts are responsible for transporting the air through the system to cool off your home. If the air is passing over air ducts that contain mold and mildew, this will result in the air picking up those particles and transporting them directly into your home. Another downside to dirty ductwork is extra energy consumption. When the ducts are dirty, your unit is using much more power to give you the comfort level you desire. By cleaning your ducts, your unit won’t need to use as much energy, which will ultimately save you money.
Make sure to have your ducts checked for leaks too. If your ductwork is pulling air from or spilling air into an unconditioned space like an attic, your cooling system will be working much harder and dust and dirt will pulled into the system and distributed throughout your home. Did you ever wonder why dust builds up so quickly in your home? Chances are that your ductwork is leaking.
3. Clean the ductwork
The best and most effective way to clean the ducts of your home is to have a professional do it. Professionals have specialized tools to access the ductwork in areas that are otherwise inaccessible.
4. Replace the air filter
If you suffer from allergies, install high-quality air filters in your home. With a high-quality air filter, the air will be much cleaner. Keep in mind that a main contributor of allergen filled air inside the home is caused by keeping the windows open. If you keep your windows shut, you will decrease the amount of pollen that creeps inside your home during the spring.
5. Purge humidifier lines
Lastly, if your unit has a humidifier looped into it, you will need to check those lines and close the bypass damper. The lines are responsible for transporting moisture and adding water vapor into the atmosphere of your home. Just like the ducts, these lines can collect mold and mildew, which is harmful to your health. If you notice anything, have the humidifier lines purged to ensure cleaner air.
RSC would be happy to assist you with any preventative maintenance your unit may need. If your ducts are past the point of being cleaned, we are happy to install new ductwork for you! Contact us with any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment.
