Did you recently wake up at your Magnolia, TX home and feel a slight chill in the air? As the temperatures slowly begin to crawl back down the dial and the days progressively get a little shorter, this shift can only mean one thing: autumn is on the way!
The fall season brings with it many beautiful and exciting moments. However, while those cascading leaves may be beautiful to look at, they can wreak havoc on your exterior if you’re not careful. As you plan your seasonal HVAC maintenance checklist, it’s important to think about how you’ll keep your units clean and debris-free.
Today, we’re sharing a few simple steps that can help!
Do a Visual Check
As you watch the seasons change in Magnolia, remember to give your HVAC system a quick look-over every few weeks. To do so, start by scanning the area directly around the unit, working outward to a perimeter of about three feet.
At the start of autumn, try to remove all leaves, limbs, and other fallen debris from this space. Then, expand your viewpoint a little. Check to see if there are any low-hanging limbs, climbing vines, or other types of growth that might extend toward your unit in the near future.
If you spot any of those issues, go ahead and remove or relocate them. Likewise, remove any debris that you spot inside the unit, taking care not to handle the components too aggressively. If any objects appear to be stuck, it’s best to go ahead and call a local HVAC technician to remove them rather than attempt the task yourself.
Maintain Your Yard
In this case, prevention is the best policy. As soon as your trees begin to shed their leave in autumn, go ahead and start raking. As long as you do so regularly, you should be able to reduce the number of leaves that gather around and move into your HVAC unit.
While you’re at it, it’s also smart to clean up the rest of your yard, trimming low-hanging trees and overgrown bushes near this space. This way, you can make sure they won’t shed their debris near your condenser units.
Clean the Unit
Your AC outdoor unit will need a good cleaning periodically throughout autumn. This is especially the case if you live in a wooded area, where it’s regularly exposed to outdoor debris.
To clean it, spray it gently with a hose, taking care to keep the water on the outside only. Most of the time, this step alone is enough to wash away most of the grime and lose contaminants. While it might be tempting to use a pressure washer, don’t do so.
These systems emit water at too high of a force to be safe for your HVAC unit and could damage its fins.
Use a Leaf Blower
If you live in Magnolia, it’s likely that you already have a leaf blower in your garage. Have you ever thought about using it to clean leaves from your HVAC system?
If it’s too much to remove by hand, a blower or similar type of compressed air system can help you clear the space quickly. Again, remember to practice caution and don’t aim the force directly at the unit’s interior parts.
Invest in an HVAC Cover
If your HVAC unit seems to always be inundated with leaves, you may benefit from investing in a specially fitted cover. Not only will this cover help keep the seasonal debris out, but it can also keep rain and snow from damaging its interior.
When researching different options, remember to pay close attention to the fabric you choose. While some lower-priced options are available in plastic or vinyl, these aren’t as breathable. As a result, moisture can build up underneath and around the cover.
Left untreated, this moisture can encourage rust or mold to form on your unit. While they might cost a little more, canvas HVAC covers are much more durable and will last longer. This breathable material does an efficient job of keeping unwanted debris out without compromising the components inside.
Add a Leaf Guard
An HVAC cover is usually only used in the fall and winter. If your Magnolia home needs even more protection from the elements, then it might be better to install a permanent leaf guard all the way around it.
These are usually sold as heavy-duty mesh barriers. They’re designed to protect and shield your unit without compromising its output. As long as it’s properly installed, the leaf guard shouldn’t affect the airflow coming out of the HVAC system.
Hire a Professional
Of course, the best way to keep your outside HAC system clean is to hire a professional air conditioner cleaning service to take care of this project for you!
Instead of waiting until the middle of winter when your system is filled with leaves, schedule preventative maintenance visits to make sure your unit stays clean and ready to work! Not only will this keep your unit tidy, but it will also extend its lifespan and help it run more efficiently.
A well-maintained HVAC system can keep your home comfortable, your air clean, and your energy bills low! When there’s no debris clogging up the components, it doesn’t have to work as hard to regulate the temperature. Plus, you can avoid expensive repairs down the road when you address issues as soon as they arise!
Let Us Help With Your HVAC Maintenance Checklist
Autumn should be one of the most exciting and enjoyable times of your year. Instead of spending your days fussing over your HVAC system, you should be able to spend them picking pumpkins, going on hayrides, and enjoying all of the local festivities that Magnolia, TX has to offer.
We’d love to help you tackle your HVAC maintenance checklist so you don’t have to! At Luxury Air A/C and Heating, we can provide a variety of services for commercial and residential clients. If you need HVAC repair, preventive maintenance, or installation, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment!
