A home’s HVAC system is an integral part of its functioning. Think of your home as one big machine, and the HVAC system is one of those vital parts that helps your home operate in the best way possible. The result of the proper functioning, of course, is a comfortable living environment for you and your family. When you maintain your HVAC system the right way, you not only sustain the comfort of your home but also reduce expenses and overheads that you would otherwise have to incur due to repairs and fixes.
HVAC maintenance is a process, no doubt, so we’ve curated a list of “must-do” steps that you absolutely cannot ignore:
- Filter it out
For starters, the filters are an extremely important component of your HVAC system. Why? Because they do the basic job of filtering out the warm air and replacing it with cool air. Of course, that’s only a very simplified explanation of what they do, but it’s enough to understand that filters require cleaning too, periodically. Dust, grime and other dirt particles in the air tend to get stuck in the filters, and it’s essential for you to take them our and un-clog them at least once in 2 months.
- The ducts matter too
The air ducts connected to your HVAC system also perform a very similar function to the filters and are very much prone to collecting unnecessary residue in them over time. If you’re not sure of how to clean the air ducts yourself, you can check out a few video tutorials online or call your HVAC service provider for some simple cleaning tips. Not cleaning out your air ducts can result in your cooling and heating system becoming slow and inefficient, which could, later on, lead to heavier repairs if it goes unchecked for a long time. So, be smart and keep a check on those ducts!
- Don’t forget the outdoors
The outdoor unit of your HVAC system is just as important as all the components that are indoors. Remember that this unit is subject to a lot of different outdoor elements like the constantly changing weather and the risk of insects or plants falling on it. Step one would be to try and cover the outdoor unit so that it has some form of protection from these elements. Next, although it might seem like a bit of work, you need to do a thorough cleaning at least once every month. There’s a higher chance of your outdoor set-up getting damaged if you fail to do so, and you’re better off avoiding such a situation.
- Hiring the experts
Even if you’re enthusiastic about taking care of your home and its appliances all by yourself, there are some things that surely require expert attention. When you sign up with a professional HVAC contractor, you also need to subscribe to an annual check-up and a semi-annual one as well, where they can come over and do a thorough inspection of your unit. When choosing a service expert for air conditioning installation and replacement in Jacksonville, remember to do your research and choose only the best for your home. Ultimately, your service provider understands the needs of your system better than anyone else.
- Create some space
You mustn’t make the mistake of clogging the space around your HVAC system with things like drapes or furniture, because this can actually hinder how well it functions. We’re talking about both indoors and outdoors here. If at any point it starts to feel like the cooling or heating is taking too long to reach all parts of your home, or that maybe the process seems slower than it should be, having too many objects around your AC or heater could be a potential reason. So maybe you could rearrange a few things and find some improvement in performance!
- Checking your thermostat
Is your thermostat functioning as efficiently as it’s supposed to? The best way to test this is to see if the actual temperature of the room is matching the temperature shown on the thermostat. This way, if you see a difference in temperature, you can contact your service provider and call them over for a better analysis. In warmer seasons especially, it’s essential for your system to be cooling enough and accuracy is vital too.
These are the most essential HVAC maintenance tips, but there are so many other things you can do like keeping a cleaning and check-up schedule and also reduce the amount you may have to spend on repairs that can be avoided. The better you maintain your system, the longer it’s going to last your and keep your home as comfortable as possible. Take it from us, because we’re all about being smart amount home maintenance!
