Whether you’re a new homeowner or you’ve owned your home for many years, it’s no secret that HVAC maintenance is the single most important thing you can do to keep your heating and cooling system working at its best. But, when’s the best time to schedule these crucial service calls? The answer is twofold. It’s best to schedule your air conditioning maintenance in the spring, and your heating maintenance in the fall. In this article, we’ll focus on the importance of springtime air conditioning maintenance before the all-too familiar summer heat kicks into overdrive.

Why spring is the best time to schedule HVAC maintenance

Beat the rush

They say the early bird get the worm—the same logic applies when it comes to HVAC maintenance. Scheduling your maintenance appointment in early spring will give you your first pick of appointment times and dates. Instead of trying to fit a maintenance call into your already busy schedule, you can rest easy knowing that it’s already taken care of. Plus, you’ll beat the rush of homeowners who typically schedule their appointments later on.

Get ahead of springtime allergies

The sniffling, sneezing, congestion, and general malaise of springtime allergies can be worsened by poor indoor air quality. While your filters work hard to keep dust, dirt, and other contaminants from entering your home, a little TLC and a system tune up can go a long way. Your air conditioner may have accumulated a fine layer of dust during the winter, and springtime maintenance is the perfect time to clean it up. With a clean system, you can go into allergy season with a clear head.

Prevent problems before the summer is in full swing

It’s no fun when your air conditioner breaks in the middle of a brutal summer afternoon. It’s even less fun when you realize that the problem likely could’ve been caught during a routine maintenance call. Save yourself the headache (and the expense of an emergency call) by scheduling preventative maintenance in the spring.

DIY versus professional maintenance

If you’re looking to put your DIY skills to good use, you can accomplish some HVAC maintenance tasks on your own. But, other tasks require the help of a professional. Here’s how to determine what to DIY and what to leave to our team of experts.

DIY HVAC maintenance

When it comes to HVAC maintenance, there are a few key chores you can take care of on your own to optimize system performance. These include:

  • Changing your filters every month
  • Keeping grass, plants, and debris clear from the outdoor unit
  • Cleaning the condensor coils on the outdoor unit—you can purchase a dedicated condensor coil cleaner to make this job easier, or opt to hire a professional if the coils are extremely dirty.

Professional maintenance

Some jobs are best left to the pros, and HVAC maintenance is no exception. Anything that involves electricity or the inner workings of the system should be trusted to an experienced professional. At Donley, we check your system inside and out to make sure everything is as it should be. Some of the points on our maintenance checklist include:

  • Lubricate Moving Parts: Lubrication is one of the most critical parts of an HVAC tune-up. Lubrication reduces friction and heat build-up, improving the energy efficiency of your air conditioner.
  • Check Coolant Levels: Checking coolant levels, otherwise known as refrigerant levels, serves multiple purposes. Lower levels can indicate a potential leak in pressure ports, tubing or connections. If there is indeed a leak, it must be repaired properly to ensure the efficient and continued functioning of your HVAC system.
  • Check AMP Drawer: Electric bills can soar during the long, hot, and unforgiving Arizona summers, which is why checking the amp drawer is critical to making sure that the HVAC system is working efficiently. This check helps eliminate unnecessary energy consumption and lower utility bills while maintaining the wellbeing of the air conditioning unit. During your HVAC maintenance call, a technician will use a special instrument to check that all electrical components of your system — big and small — are working correctly.

This is by no means a comprehensive list of all of the things a technician will be doing and checking for over the course of your HVAC maintenance call, but should give you a good idea of the types of issues that can be addressed. With regular maintenance, you can enjoy many benefits that include:

  • Lowering utility bills
  • Avoiding costly repairs
  • Maximizing equipment performance
  • Extending equipment lifespan
  • Fixing small problems before they turn into larger ones

A great fit for all seasons: Home maintenance agreements

When it comes time to schedule your HVAC maintenance appointments in the spring and in the fall, you can put yourself at the front of the line with a Donley home maintenance agreement. From exclusive savings to service priority and more, here are the perks you’ll enjoy as a member.

Scheduled Visits

Your agreement includes two planned 50-point maintenance inspections per year. We will contact you in the Spring and Fall to schedule times convenient for you.

First Priority

When problems arise, you can rest easy. Home Maintenance Agreement customers are scheduled ahead of all other customers for emergency repairs.

Save 10% on Parts and Labor

You’ll save 10% on all air conditioning, heating, and plumbing service calls. As part of the Home Maintenance Agreement, we will extend the parts and labor warranty on repairs to one year.

Available 7 Days a Week

Home Maintenance Agreement customers never pay overtime for service 7 days a week, including after hours, weekends, and holidays.

Discount Plumbing Service

As part of your Home Maintenance Agreement, you will also save 10% of all plumbing repairs, water heaters, water softeners, and drain cleanings.

Maintenance, repairs, and everything in between: Donley has your back

Since 1976, we’ve stayed true to our family-owned roots and helped families across the Valley with their heating, cooling, and plumbing needs. If you need HVAC or plumbing help, request an appointment today.