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Your Springtime Home Maintenance Checklist

A nice house in spring.

Every spring it happens….you realize that you’ve overlooked many (or all!) of those action items on that huge “honey do” checklist of maintenance tasks, in order to best prepare your home for the upcoming summer season.

Fear Not!

We’re happy to help share some simple, effective tips to help you both address any HVAC related issues that may have developed over the winter and prepare your comfort systems for another brutal summer here in Concord and Charlotte!

If you’re reading this, you already know that our team at Chad Love Services is all about 5 star service, education and providing tremendous value.  Sometimes, that also means sharing our wisdom with you so you can address certain HVAC issues yourself!

Check Your HVAC filters

Changing your air filter may sound like a simple task, but you would be surprised to know that 70% of the homes we go to on a given day have over used, dirty air filters. Simply checking your HVAC filter for dirt, debris and contaminants is step one. Depending on the physical condition of the filter and how much dirt, dust, dog hair, etc has accumulated, you might be able to simple clean them (vs replacing them entirely).

Either way, it’s a good idea to make sure you start out the season with clean air filters, both for the sake of your family’s health, and for the efficiency of your HVAC equipment. By cleaning or replacing your HVAC filters, you enable your system to work just a bit less in order to maintain your desired level of heating or cooling at home.

Clear Debris from Around Your Air Conditioner

Your outdoor system works best when all the louvers on the outdoor unit and fan are unimpeded by debris. By just cutting away any vines or bushes from around your air conditioning system you can avoid the headaches of repairs caused by this issue. Manufacturers recommend you have at least 12-24 inches of clearance around your air conditioner on each side.

Switch the Rotation On Your Ceiling Fans

Your ceiling fan will have a small typically black switch on the side of the ceiling fan that will go up or down. The rotation of your ceiling fan should be in a counterclockwise rotation to allow for the cool air to circulate upward into the living space and allow for more even temperature in your home.

Clean Your Gutters + Downspouts

Clogged gutters allow water to build up during and after those recurring spring rains, which can then seep into your roofing system or siding to cause damage to the home. Take a few minutes at the beginning of the season to clear out any debris or hire a professional to clean them for you.

Clean Your Dryer Vent

If you’ve never cleaned out your dryer vent, do it!  You’ll be amazed at the vast amount of lint, dirt and debris that can stick inside the dryer vent or dryer trap.  This build up over time is a major fire hazard, and also forces your dryer to work much harder to dry your clothes.

We recommend you hire a professional to clean your dryer vent, unless you have a super short run (say 2 feet or less).  This is well worth the peace of mind in knowing you’ve addressed a fire hazard and the gain in efficiency from your dryer.  You should consider cleaning your dryer vent once a year.

Inspect Your Roof

You never really look that hard at your roof, do you?  This time of year, it’s a great idea to inspect your roof any damage that may have occurred during those harsh winter months.  Keep a close eye out for loose components or any missing shingles. We also suggest you go up into your attic or finished third floor and look for mold, water damage or funny smells…which can often speak to a roof issue. If you are weary about getting up on your roof, we recommend you consult a roofing contractor.

Fix Cracks In Your Driveway and Sidewalks

You’ll find it much easier and cheaper to fix those cracks your sidewalks and driveways now, before they develop into major problems. If you let these cracks grow and worsen, you may have to completely reinstall a sidewalk, or at least a section of your driveway. Just like with your HVAC system, taking small steps toward preventative maintenance goes a long way!

Test and/or Replace Smoke Detector Batteries

Create a new recurring habit of testing your smoke detector batteries every month, so you’ll always know they are working to protect your family and your home. Spring is no different. Even if your batteries have a longer life than one year, it’s worth it to have fresh batteries in place just for your peace of mind.

Prep Your Lawnmower For Active Duty

We recommend you change your lawnmower’s oil every spring, before the active season(s). You should also consider cleaning the air filter, testing the spark plug, sharpening the blades (or have a professional do so) and inspect all motor components.

Check Door and Window Seals

The colder climate during the winter months may damage your caulk or any other seals around your doors and windows, which could lead to water damage and a loss in efficiency inside your home. Plan to manually inspect your door and window seals each spring and address/fix as needed.

Call Chad Love Services for a Professional AC Tune Up!

90% of all of our emergency air conditioning calls in the summer months are in response to systems that never have any routine maintenance performed by an industry expert. At Chad Love Services, we perform thousands of AC tune ups in Concord and the surrounding areas each year, saving clients thousands of dollars in AC repairs by catching the small problems before they become larger ones. Our 20+ point inspection of your system will ensure that your system runs great and is able to cool you and your family when the temperature outside becomes unbearable.

We hope you found these simple “Spring Checklist” tips helpful.  Remember: education is a key to our approach to heating and cooling. We feel the more you know about your home, your systems and your options, the better prepared you are to make the best choice for your family and your home.

Enjoy greater home comfort with Chad Love Services.  We are proud to serve both Concord NC and the surrounding areas. If we can help in any way, please call us today, or request service online!

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