With peak winter weather in the rearview — as a homeowner, you might be wondering: what now?

While the month of March certainly brings the promise of spring each year, it doesn’t always feel like it — at least to start. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), national average temperatures for March jump from 29 degrees on the first of the month all the way to 40 degrees by the end.

When it comes to your home — and its heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system — however, the sooner you can start “thinking” spring, the better. After all, there’s no such thing as being too prepared, right?  

In the HVAC world, spring maintenance is a critical step in ensuring that your system is ready to endure the warm weather and hotter season(s) to come. Since HVAC contractors typically experience peak business during the summer and winter months, springtime — and early March in particular — presents the perfect opening for customers to get HVAC servicing and other annual appointments on the calendar.

The National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF) works with a well-qualified and ethically driven network of contractors who specialize in a range of services, including heating and cooling. These contractors have been vetted by NEIF and authorized to participate in financing programs for improvements that not only increase the efficiency of your home but are affordable in the process!   

NEIF’s online Find a Contractor tool allows homeowners to filter by improvement type, property type, property location, and other precise parameters — all with the purpose of identifying the right contractor for the job. 

The U.S. Department of Energy warns against the risks of neglecting regular maintenance, explaining that in doing so, system performance decreases while energy use increases. Tasks like cleaning or replacing air conditioner filters and removing any debris that can form around outdoor condenser coils can have a huge impact on overall efficiency.

With warmer weather on the horizon, you still have time to plan ahead and prepare. Whether you’re looking for your current system to be serviced, are interested in upgrading equipment, or have any maintenance questions at all — consult with an NEIF-Approved Contractor today!