Your house is comprised of many different systems that range from powering your appliances to keeping you dry on a rainy day. Your HVAC system is one of those important systems that makes your house a home. Knowing how to properly maintain your equipment will prolong it’s life and keep you comfortable throughout the year.
1.Regular Maintenance Checks
Like any other piece of equipment, your HVAC equipment needs to be regular inspected to ensure that there is no problems and that it is running efficiently. Many HVAC companies offer these services to ensure that your equipment is running properly and to the best of it’s ability. Routine checks include:
- Clean and/or replace filters
- Oil moving parts
- Check thermostats operation
- Inspect refrigerant levels and pressures
- Check for any leaks
2. Change Filters
Changing filters is an easy task that every homeowner should know how to do. Most 1″ filters are good for up to 3 months but pets or dust can reduce the intervals between changes. We recommend using a filter with a Min. MERV 7 Rating for air filtration.
3. Keep Equipment Clean
Keeping dust and debris away from HVAC equipment will help keep electrical components working and prevent unit from overheating. Moving other belonging away from equipment can help ensure cleanliness.
4. Let Your Equipment Breath
Make sure that leaves and dirt are not stuck in your AC condenser. This allows air to flow through coils, releasing the heat that has been pulled from your house. This will reduce operational costs and ensure unit is not overheating.
5. Look At Those Bills
Compare your energy bills from the previous years and see how the energy units compare. Prices flatulate but if you look at the energy units you can tell if you are using more power. This can help inform you if your equipment is running to the best of it’s ability or if there is a problem.
6. Program That Thermostat.
Using a programable thermostat can help you lower your energy costs by conditioning your home less when you are away or when energy prices are at peak demand. There are many options from standard programmable thermostats to units that can be controlled remotely. Nest has a great learning thermostat that learns your habits and reduces energy costs based on your needs.
7. Insulate Your Home
Insulating your home and sealing out the drafts can be an economical way to lower energy costs. Take a look in your attic and check for drafts around windows and doors. Focus on Energy can be a great resource for doing an energy audit.
8. Get A Tune-Up At Least Once A Year.
Having an HVAC contractor come out and perform a yearly tune-up can provide professional with the knowledge and experience to look at your equipment. A tune-up can ensure that the equipment is running at it’s best. Some things that will be performed include:
- Inspection of all HVAC equipment
- Cleaning and adjusting equipment setpoints.
- Lubricating all moving parts.
- Checking refrigerant level and pressures
- Testing ignition and safety switches
- Replacing filters.
9. Never Stop Learning
We are live in a time where knowledge is readily available. If you have a question or concern, most HVAC related problems and solutions can be found on the internet. You can watch YouTube videos or step-by-step instructions to help you solve a problem you may have. Call an HVAC professional and ask how them a question that you may have.
10. Regularly Clean The Entire System
You can inspect your floor grilles or radiators and see how dirty they have become. Vacuuming out debris and dirt can provide a great improvement to indoor air quality and system performance. HVAC contractors can schedule a whole house duct cleaning to ensure your system is as clean as it can be.
11. Seal Any Leaks Around Furnace and Ductwork
If you notice air is escaping through your duct where it is not supposed to be, seal it with reflective metal tape or sealant. You want your air to go where it is supposed to go and not where it isn’t.
12. Consider A New High Efficiency HVAC System.
If your system is old or becoming unreliable, chances are you can save yourself money on energy costs by installing new high efficiency equipment. Older equipment was good in their time but new equipment has made advances in energy reduction and safety. Call Today to Schedule your Free Estimate.
Your home is important to your family and your HVAC system keeps you comfortable throughout the year. Knowing how to maintain this equipment and when to call a professional will save you money and heartache in the future. Don’t hesitant to call and ask for advice on your HVAC problems or Concerns. You can reach us at (608) 881-1755 or by email at Schmidtdy@gmail.com.
