There are many proverbs about the strange weather that occurs in March. You may have heard that March “comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb.” Or perhaps you’ve heard it “comes in like a lamb and leaves like a lion.” That’s the nature of the weather during this month that straddles winter and spring: it’s difficult to predict exactly which way the temperature will go—especially in a place like Chicago. (And no, groundhogs are not an effective way of predicting weather patterns in late winter.)
The important lesson to learn about March weather uncertainty is to make sure that your home comfort system is ready for any extreme. A cold snap, an early arrival of spring heat, or both—see that your heating and cooling system are prepped!
But how do I do that?
There are a few ways you can lower the impact of March weather on your comfort. Some you can handle on your own. Others require the assistance of HVAC professionals with extensive training and experience.
Schedule air conditioning maintenance
This is the month to arrange for your AC’s annual maintenance inspection and tune-up from an HVAC professional. This is the best way to see that the air conditioner is in good shape to handle the worst summer heat. During maintenance, a technician will look over the system for potential problem areas, unresolved malfunctions, and places that need cleaning or adjustments. A regularly maintained air conditioner will enjoy a longer service life with high energy efficiency and fewer repair needs.
Maintenance is something both your AC and heater require, and that’s why we recommend you arrange for these annual services with one of our Residential Maintenance Agreements.
Act on repair issues with your heating system
It is tempting to ignore small indications that something is wrong with your furnace or heat pump when spring weather is about to arrive. But allowing any type of heating system to operate when it has a malfunction places the system at a much higher risk of developing a larger problem, breaking down completely, or even becoming hazardous. (This is mainly a concern with natural gas furnaces.) You don’t want your heater to end the season with any problems, so call our technicians for heating repair the moment you think something is wrong.
Arrange for AC replacement if the system is too old
March is also a good time to schedule having a new air conditioner put in if the current one is too old. The average lifespan for a central AC is between 10 to 15 years. If your AC has aged out of this bracket, it might fail on you during the coming summer heat—leaving you stranded until a new system installation can be arranged. Get ahead of this problem and have the system replaced in March. If you aren’t sure if it’s time to replace the air conditioner, rely on our technicians to advise you during maintenance.
For air conditioning or heating service in Wilmette, IL, trust to our team. We have emergency service available 24 hours when you need it.
Malek Heating & Cooling: Serving the Chicagoland Area Since 1998.