Performing regular preventative maintenance on your HVAC system is much like performing the same on your vehicle. To keep it working optimally, you have to take care of it regularly.
Completing these easy, protective steps will help your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable, no matter the outside conditions.
Lower your energy bills, and rest easy knowing exactly how to maintain your HVAC system by utilizing the following guide:
Regularly check, clean, and replace HVAC filters
Your HVAC’s air filter keeps your air clean and breathable.
Check the filter once a month, and see whether it requires a simple wipe down or a complete replacement by taking note of the amount of debris and dirt within the filter.
Usually, the filter packaging that it came in will have a standardized recommendation about how often the filter should be replaced.
This ranges anywhere from one month to six months and changes based on the brand and the type of filter.
When you’re considering how often you should be cleaning or replacing your filter, take into consideration:
- if anyone in the house has allergies
- smokes indoors
- if you have pets
- the dust levels outside
Any of these factors can greatly increase how fast your filter will begin to clog up and reduce efficiency.
Complete monthly outdoor cleanups
Weather permitting, you should get outdoors once a month and clean up debris surrounding your outdoor HVAC unit.
If left too long, this debris can build up and enter your home through the unit, decreasing the overall effectiveness of your HVAC system indoors as well as out.
On top of the monthly checks, try and do a thorough clean twice per year – once in the spring, and once in the fall.
These cleanups should include removing the protective sides of your HVAC unit and removing any debris from within, along with scrubbing away any excess buildup from the sides of the equipment.
Annual tune-up
Yearly, call an HVAC professional to come in and complete a tune-up of your HVAC system in its entirety.
This will help to reduce your yearly energy costs and increase the lifespan of your HVAC equipment.
When a professional performs a tune-up, they will lubricate any moving parts of the system, tighten the electrical connections, check the thermostat, test system controls, and clean the blower thoroughly.
These tune-ups are like an annual doctor’s appointment for your HVAC system.
By addressing what immediately needs fixing and learning what you should expect to repair soon, you can be in the right financial position to take care of any job when needed.
With regular preventative maintenance, you can gain peace of mind, and increase the overall condition of your home’s air and environment.