The Importance of a Spring HVAC Tune‑Up Before Summer Arrives

HVAC systems can be a component of a home that is often overlooked and sometimes misunderstood as a “set it and forget it” system within a home.

Traditionally many homes in the High Country relied on a wood burning fireplace in the colder months. More recently electric baseboards or space heaters have helped supplement in the winter, while simply opening a few windows during the warmer months allowed homeowners to let cooler “fresh” air in.

Many homes in our area are now opting for centralized HVAC systems designed to circulate air throughout the entire home. These systems are typically simple in design but require regular maintenance and upkeep to work efficiently.

The majority of HVAC systems in the High Country consist of a combination of heat pumps, air conditioners, and furnaces connected to centralized air handlers located in a crawlspace, basement, or attic.

These systems must be inspected and maintained regularly to perform as designed. The industry recommends a professional HVAC service inspect these systems bi-annually (spring & fall) to ensure proper, safe, and efficient operation. The spring inspection is particularly important for air conditioning systems operating in our area from April - October. Technicians will check refrigerant levels, indoor and outdoor coil status, filters, and general cleanliness. Leaving these systems unchecked can contribute to issues/defects such as fungal growth inside the air handler, increased cooling costs, and pre-mature wear of the system.

So, if it's been a while since you’ve looked inside your air handler or notice your system just isn’t keeping up anymore, schedule a tech to come out and give it a once-over.

Photo Caption: Air handler evaporator coil

Is your home sufficiently insulated?

In the winter it is important to think about your home’s thermal barrier. Two consistent defects I see in homes that I inspect in the High Country and surrounding areas are the lack of insulation in crawlspaces and settlement of insulation in attics in homes that were built before 1990 or so. Homes during this era were often constructed with little oversight and built with the bare minimum mentality of just needing to get into the home. Fast forward 40 or more years and these homes are still being lived in or bought and sold without any updates or upgrades to the insulation.

We all dislike high electric or fuel bills and often do not understand why our home is more expensive to heat during the winter months than our neighbor’s home “up the road” that may have been built in more recent times. This can lead to frustration and lost trust towards power and fuel companies as well as HVAC installers.

By installing insulation and mitigating air leakage you can save 10% or more on heating costs during the winter months (and yes, also save money during the summer if you have a heat pump or air conditioning unit).

See a general guide with illustrations.

Installing or adding insulation may be an investment that does not make sense for you if you are planning on selling your home within the next handful of years, but if you are planning on staying where you are for an extended period of time take a peek in you crawlspace and attic to determine if your house is sufficiently insulated. Your wallet will thank you for it.