Proper maintenance of your home's HVAC system is essential for keeping it running smoothly and efficiently year round. Too often, homeowners neglect their heating and cooling systems until something goes wrong. Fortunately, by taking a few simple steps to maintain your system, you can avoid costly repairs and ensure that your HVAC system runs perfectly all year long.
Regularly Change Your Air Filters
Your air filter plays an important role in the performance of your HVAC system. It keeps out dust, dirt, and other airborne particles that can damage the components of your system, leading to poor performance and even breakdowns. Changing your air filter every 1-3 months (depending on how often you use your system) will help keep your HVAC system running at optimal levels.
Schedule Annual Tune-Ups
While it is important to change your air filter regularly, it is also important to have a professional HVAC company technician come in annually to inspect and tune up the components of the HVAC system. During a tune-up, a technician will check all of the electrical connections, clean any debris from the coils and blower motor, check refrigerant levels, test safety controls, and lubricate moving parts. This will help keep everything running smoothly and reduce the risk of breakdowns or malfunctions.
Check Your Ductwork
The ductwork in your home carries air from the furnace or air conditioner throughout the house; however, over time dust and debris can accumulate in these ducts which can impede airflow and reduce efficiency. Have a professional technician inspect your ductwork annually to make sure that there are no blockages or buildup that could be negatively affecting airflow or efficiency. A professional can also help identify any leaks or cracks that need to be sealed in order to prevent energy loss through these gaps.
Keeping up with regular maintenance on your HVAC system is key if you want it running properly all year round. By changing air filters regularly, scheduling annual tune-ups with a professional technician, and having periodic inspections of ductwork done by an expert you can ensure that you are getting maximum efficiency out of your heating and cooling systems while avoiding costly repairs due to neglect or lack of maintenance. Don't let an inefficiently operating HVAC system add extra strain on both you pocketbook as well as our environment; maintain it properly!
