Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Maintenance Tips

Home should be a place where you feel safe, relaxed, and comfortable. Part of keeping your home comfortable has to do with temperature control. Whether it’s your air conditioner that cools during the summer or a heater that keeps things warm during the winter, your HVAC system is a huge part of creating a comfortable environment. Learn how to take care of your HVAC system with these easy tips.

How to Care for Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system is one of the most complicated, yet important in your home. It typically consists of a furnace, or central heat, and central air conditioning system, in addition to ducts, vents, refrigerant lines, and other temperature regulating equipment. Keeping these components tuned up, cleaned, and maintained is vital to the health and longevity of your HVAC system.

Replace the Filters

It's easy to forget but replacing the filters of your HVAC system is one of the most important HVAC tips for homeowners. Each HVAC unit is different, so replace your filters on the schedule that your manufacturer recommends.

You may need to change your filters sooner if you notice your house getting extra dusty after you run your heater or air conditioner. Also, if you or someone you live with is sensitive to allergens, you may want to replace your filters more regularly.

Turn the System On

Just because you happen to be in a season or location with moderate temperatures doesn’t mean you should completely ignore basic home HVAC maintenance and heating system maintenance. In fact, it may be the ideal time to turn on the system and make sure there aren’t any issues that need to be addressed.

Test the thermostat by activating the heater and the air conditioner. Let it run for a while so that you know it’s heating and cooling the way it needs to. If you don’t hear the air turn on for either setting, that may be a sign you need a professional to inspect the HVAC unit. If you hear the air turn on and you have a thermometer, compare its reading to the thermostat’s reading. If there’s a discrepancy, you may need to have your thermostat adjusted.

Keep Out Debris

To keep debris out of your air conditioning unit after the summer season is over you can purchase a cover at the local hardware store. These cost anywhere from $40 to $200. If you would rather DIY your air conditioning cover, you can make one with household materials like duct tape, trash bags, or drop cloths.

Keep an eye on the unit when it’s not covered. Various debris like dead leaves may find their way into your HVAC system by way of outdoor vents. Clear any debris that you find. A more proactive home HVAC maintenance tip is to make sure the areas around the air conditioning unit and external vents are clear. Prune any nearby plants and avoid planting trees near your air conditioner and venting system to avoid debris buildup.

Keep the Vents Clear and Open

To maintain a healthy HVAC system, you need to make sure the air can flow in and out of the unit. Do a quick audit of the inside of your home to make sure that your registers and vents are not blocked by furniture, carpets, or drapes. Keeping these clean helps air move effectively and your HVAC system working efficiently.

Also, be sure to keep your vents open even in rooms that don’t get much use. This may be counter-intuitive to what you’d expect to find among HVAC tips for homeowners, but remember, HVAC systems are designed with your whole house in mind. By closing vents, the system will not be able to work to its fullest potential, which may affect its energy efficiency.

Give Your HVAC Some Help

One simple tip for home HVAC maintenance is to use your system less.

In the warmer months, wear light clothing that breathes well and open windows if it’s a moderate temperature outside. When the weather cools at night, turn off the air conditioner, open windows, and use fans. When it’s colder, wear warm and cozy clothes, use your fireplace, and make sure doors and windows are secure.

For both warm and cold months, consider installing a programmable thermostat. Doing so allows you to set your furnace or air conditioner to only run when someone is home. Also, check the doors and windows around your house to ensure that weatherstripping is in good condition. Any air leaks could be forcing your HVAC system to work overtime.

Call in the Professionals

There are some aspects of your HVAC maintenance that only a trained professional should handle. Make sure to have your HVAC system serviced annually. Additionally, have your ductwork and vents cleaned professionally, especially if you can see debris, insects, or any other blockages. These will increase the efficiency and life span of your system, not to mention keeping the air in your home cleaner.

If you have a problem with your HVAC system, check for blown fuses, tripped circuit breakers, and proper power before calling for repairs. When your equipment is running poorly, it's likely that your home is less comfortable than you'd prefer, and your energy bills are higher than you'd expect. Setting aside time to follow these four maintenance tips can keep your HVAC system running smoothly.

Your HVAC system plays a vital role in keeping your house comfortable. We hope these HVAC tips for homeowners keep your house comfortable. For more information on how we can help you, and to learn more about the way home warranties work, call us at 1-888-492-7359.

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