We may be in the depths of winter in Olathe right now, but it's never too early to start thinking about spring cleaning, especially if you’re feeling a little cooped up from all the cold weather. When the roads and walkways are too perilous with ice and snow, cleaning, home repair, and remodel projects are great ways to burn off some cabin fever without leaving the house.
Plus, who wants to spend the first few weeks of spring—which, after all, kicks off March 20th—dusting or sorting clutter when you could be biking the trails or playing golf or doing anything else to enjoy the spring weather after being cooped up inside all winter. If you're ready to get started on some early spring cleaning, here are a few things you can do around the house this winter that will ALSO benefit your home HVAC system!
Get Those Carpets and Rugs Cleaned
When you think spring cleaning, one of the first things that leaps to mind might be vacuuming and dusting. That's a great place to start, but don't forget that your carpets, rugs, and even your drapes have been collecting dust, pollen, and other debris all winter long, too. They might need a little extra care or even a professional touch to make sure they get nice and clean before spring weather gets here.
The fibers in rugs and carpets can trap airborne particles, such as pet dander, mold spores, dirt, and dust. But these particles don't stay trapped forever. Just walking across a dirty carpet can kick up particulate matter that affects your indoor air quality.
Vacuuming regularly is good, but your vacuum cleaner can't get everything. Your best bet to get your carpet and rugs really clean is to hire a professional carpet cleaning service to come out to your house and do the job right. A professional cleaning doesn't just keep your carpet nice and clean, it also helps keep those airborne particles from getting sucked up into your HVAC system, gunking up your air filters, or getting distributed all around the house.
Wipe Down the Walls and Windows, Too!
While you're dusting all the shelves and ceiling fans and whatnot, don't forget to wipe down the walls and windows, too! Many of us forget to do this, but walls and windows can accumulate dust and debris just like any other surface in your house. Just look at how much dust collects on the vent registers!
Unfortunately, wiping down all the walls and windows can be a big job, so maybe break it up a bit and do one room a day. A sponge or damp towel works best for painted walls, and you should always start at the top and work down so that everything gets nice and clean.
Adjust the Humidifier on Your HVAC System
It isn't the heat; it's the humidity. That's what they say, right? But it works the other way, too. In fact, whether you're trying to keep your house warm in the winter or cool in the summer, humidity has a big impact on overall comfort.
Humidity in your house should be kept between 30% and 50% for ideal comfort. You can add some humidity with a vaporizer or humidifier—either one that stands alone or one that is part of your HVAC system. In the latter case, you should adjust it with the changing seasons. Even though winter weather requires slightly higher indoor humidity, you should still keep it below 50% or you risk encouraging mold growth. If you have an area that's too humid—likely a basement—then you can open the windows during nice weather or invest in a dehumidifier.
Change the Air Filter in Your HVAC System
No matter what time of year it is, changing the air filter in your HVAC system regularly is one of the most important pieces of HVAC maintenance that you can do at home. Doing this does wonders for your indoor air quality. You should check your air filter once a month. It's also a good idea to replace it after any major spring cleaning or remodels that you're doing around the house. Those activities can kick up a lot of dust and debris, which get captured in your air filter.
As your air filter gets dirty, it not only impacts the air quality of your home, it makes your furnace or AC work that much harder, decreasing efficiency and driving up your energy bills. A dirty filter can even cause a system to shut down or overload and contribute to breakdowns and other problems down the road. A good way to remember to check your filter regularly is to set up a recurring reminder on your smartphone.
Get a Heating and Cooling System Tune-Up
An air filter change is also part of a good heating and cooling system tune-up, which should happen a couple of times a year. Fortunately, this doesn't require much effort from you. You’ll just need to make a quick phone call to Davenport Service Company to schedule one of our expert technicians to come out and make sure everything is working as it should.
We can even take that bit of work out of your hands if you sign up for our VIP service plan, which includes a bi-annual heating and cooling system tune-up. If you take this option, we will call you to schedule at a time that's convenient for you, so that you don't have to remember to do it yourself. Seasonal tune-ups keep your HVAC system running smoothly, reduce the chance of breakdowns, and help keep your utility bills low by ensuring that your system is operating efficiently.
Spring cleaning can be a great way to beat the winter blues. It can lift your spirits and improve the look of your home and your indoor air quality. If you'd like to add a heating and cooling system tune-up to your spring cleaning, just call Davenport Service Company today at 913-441-2222! And while you're at it, ask about all the benefits that come with our VIP service program!
