Performing regular, preventative maintenance allows homeowners to feel secure in the functioning of their HVAC system. Doing so allows you to keep your system running to its peak ability while keeping your energy bill under control.
This maintenance does not need to be extensive. Rather, it requires a little bit of dedication, and a small amount of your time each month. In ensuring the efficiency of your HVAC units, you can rest assured knowing that you’re decreasing the risk of needed costly repairs at unexpected times.
Want to know more? Follow along, and learn exactly what should keep your HVAC system running at its prime all year long.
Check, Clean, and Replace your Air Filter
The air filter in an HVAC unit removes tiny particles of dust and debris, keeping your air pure, and your entire HVAC system working optimally. Check these filters once a month to see how much dust or dirt they have collected.
If you notice a large amount of debris built up on the filter, consider either cleaning or replacing the filter.
On the original packaging, there is a recommended period of how often the filter should be replaced. This can vary between one month and six, depending on the type of filter.
There are other questions to ask yourself when considering the replacement of your filter, including:
- Do I have pets living in my home?
- Does anyone in the household have allergies?
- Are there any smokers who smoke inside?
- Is it a dusty time of year?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should clean or replace your filter more often, as the filter will become clogged up with exposure to any of these factors.
Complete an Annual Tune-Up
Every year, call an HVAC professional to complete a total tune-up of your HVAC system.
By doing so, you’ll notice lower energy bills, an overall increase in your HVAC system’s lifespan, and reduce the chance of unexpected and costly repairs.
Professional tune-ups involve the following processes, and more:
- All moving parts will be lubricated.
- Your system’s controls will be tested and checked.
- All electrical connections will be tightened.
- The blower will be cleaned and adjusted, if necessary.
Cleanup Any Outdoor Debris
Regularly clean up the area surrounding your outdoor HVAC units. By not cleaning this debris, you’re decreasing the efficiency of your system.
This debris can build upon these units quickly, making the entire unit run far less efficiently than a clean unit would.
A thorough cleanup should be completed once a month, with a complete clean once in the spring and once in the fall.
Before you start any outdoor maintenance, ensure that the unit is completely shut-off.
This decreases your chances of injury, or of introducing even more dirt and debris into your home’s HVAC system