Homeownership requires a lot of due diligence. To keep your home in great condition, you’ve got to be proactive in your efforts to maintain your space. HVAC maintenance tips can help shed light on how to extend the life of your unit and keep it running efficiently. If you’re eager to maintain a comfortable living space, while keeping energy costs as low as possible this new year, make HVAC maintenance a priority. Our helpful HVAC maintenance guide will help you get started. Still, if you’re ever feeling in over your head, your local Aire Serv professionals can help answer questions and perform maintenance tasks that will keep your system running smoothly all year long. Keep these HVAC tips for homeowners in mind when considering how to maintain your system properly:
1. Replace Air Filters Regularly
HVAC maintenance tips don’t come more standard than this one. When your filters are clogged, your HVAC system has to work harder to force air through your space. As a result, you’ll use more energy and can expect to see higher energy bills. Replacing air filters can save both money and energy. That’s especially true when you combine an energy-efficient HVAC system with high-quality air filters that are changed regularly. If you don’t know when you last swapped out your air filters, you’re likely overdue! It’s also a good practice to write the date on the replacement filter as a reminder of when the new filter was inserted. Try adding a reminder on your phone to replace the filter every 2-3 months, depending on the type of filter and how often your system is in use.
2. Clean and Maintain Air Ducts
Dust particles, dander, and other allergens build up within your ductwork over time. This leads to inefficient airflow, which can cause hot and cold spots throughout your home. An HVAC unit works a lot harder to try and circulate air when the ductwork is dirty. As a result, your system will consume more energy, and you’ll see higher utility bills at the end of each month. After clearing the debris from your ductwork, air flows freely again, allowing the HVAC system to work at peak efficiency and reducing energy costs. Intimidated by the idea of maintaining your ducts? Not a problem. The local HVAC professionals at Aire Serv can perform this HVAC preventative maintenance. We’ll not only clean your ducts, but we’ll also inspect them to ensure everything is in good condition.
3. Check and Seal Leaks in the Ductwork
You can have the cleanest ductwork in the world, but if they are not properly sealed, you’ll still find yourself fighting an uphill battle to heat and cool your home efficiently. HVAC maintenance tips only go so far. There has to be existing structural integrity for everything to work properly. If you’re noticing higher-than-average energy bills, increased dust, more illness, and a flare-up of allergies around your home, it’s worth performing a visual inspection of your ductwork to see if there are any obvious issues. Use aluminum or mastic tape to seal any visible holes you discover. If you suspect a leak, but can’t locate the source, contact a local HVAC professional for help. They have the proper experience, equipment, and training to locate and repair any leaks in your ductwork.
4. Inspect and Clean Your Outdoor Unit
When it comes to HVAC systems, what’s out of sight is often out of mind. When searching for HVAC tips for homeowners, you’re certain to see recommendations to clean your outdoor unit. Dirty coils can reduce a system’s overall efficiency and cause other problems for your system. Make a plan to clean your outdoor unit at least once per year — more if your area is especially prone to pollen or other outdoor pollutants. It’s important to note that when cleaning the outdoor unit, special care should be taken to avoid damage to valves, connections, and wires. Damaging any of these parts could lead to more serious issues with your unit. If you’re unsure of how to properly clean your outdoor unit, consult with an Aire Serv professional for advice.
5. Test and Adjust Thermostat Settings
Thermostat technology has come a long way in recent years. In fact, it may be time to replace your old thermostat for a smarter, more efficient one. To determine whether a replacement is necessary, try monitoring how your thermostat compares to a glass tube thermometer. If there’s a difference of more than three degrees, you may want to install a new programmable thermostat. Simple HVAC energy-saving tips like this one can result in a significant reduction in your energy bills and improve the performance of your system.
6. Inspect and Lubricate Your System's Moving Parts
HVAC units contain multiple moving parts. The motor, for instance, can quickly deteriorate if it’s not regularly lubricated. HVAC maintenance tips such as this can keep your system functioning as efficiently and effectively as possible for years to come. There’s no shame in asking for help with furnace maintenance, either. If lubricating your HVAC system’s motor seems out of your wheelhouse, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals for assistance.
7. Check and Refill Your System's Refrigerant Levels
When putting together an HVAC maintenance checklist for your home, it’s worth adding regular refrigerant checks to your routine. While you shouldn’t have to add refrigerant frequently, leaks can happen. If you notice higher-than-average energy costs and your unit is struggling to cool your home as quickly as you once did, you may indeed have a leak on your hands. Having the leak repaired by a professional will stop the problem, but you’ll still want a pro to keep an eye on your refrigerant levels to avoid issues in the future.
8. Inspect and Clean Your Indoor Unit's Evaporator and Condenser Coils
When your HVAC unit is covered in dust and debris, it has to work harder to push out the same amount of warm or cool air. Regular inspections of your evaporator and condenser coils can help you keep tabs on their condition. Should you notice a buildup of dust or pollen, you can simply wipe the evaporator and condenser coils down with a damp cloth and some cleanser. You can also use a vacuum with a hose attachment to remove dust and debris from the coils. HVAC maintenance tips don’t have to be complicated to be effective! However, take special care when cleaning condenser coils and other internal parts to reduce the risk of damage.
9. Test and Calibrate Your System's Safety Controls
If you’re hoping to keep your HVAC system up and running safely and effectively, you’ll want to have your safety controls tested and calibrated regularly. While it’s easy to overlook these components, they help ensure that your system is indeed safe to use. In many cases, your HVAC unit will shut down if safety controls are not functioning properly. When in doubt, call in the professionals to take a look and re-calibrate your safety controls.
10. Schedule a Professional Maintenance Checkup for Your HVAC System
HVAC repair tips and maintenance guidelines can be helpful, but even the most proactive homeowner may fail to spot red flags or know how to address the issues at hand. Nothing compares to the insight of an experienced HVAC professional. Annual maintenance visits from Aire Serv can help you preserve the integrity of your HVAC system, keep it running at peak efficiency, and even extend its lifespan. You may be wondering, “Does Aire Serv offer HVAC services near me?” With 200 locations throughout the United States and Canada, there is a good chance we do! We look forward to providing the support you need to keep your home comfortable all year long, and our Neighborly Done Right Promise™ ensures your complete satisfaction with every job we perform. Request an appointment online or call today!
