Tips for HVAC Winter Maintenance
With the kids back in school and the upcoming autumn and winter vacations, now is a perfect time to perform routine maintenance on your heating and cooling system.
Prepare your air conditioner for a long night’s sleep, and learn how to securely turn on your heating system after it has been dormant. The last thing you want to happen is for your furnace to go out in the middle of a bitter winter.
A typical home’s heating and cooling costs account for approximately half (48 percent) of overall energy consumption, swiftly establishing themselves as the most expensive energy costs (U.S. DOE) voiced by Affordable Heat & Air.
When you make an extra effort to ensure that your HVAC system is in proper working order, you may significantly reduce the amount of energy that your HVAC system consumes. As far as possible, ensure that the shift from cooling to heating is seamless. Here are some pointers for performing preventive HVAC maintenance in the fall.
Tips for HVAC Preventive Maintenance in the Fall!
1) Consider replacing your HVAC system – Before you do anything, consider the age of your heating system and the amount of money you are now spending on energy. According to the EPA, heating systems that are more than ten years old are only 40-60 percent efficient. If your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is on its last legs, you should seriously consider replacing it. Gas furnaces currently on the market have efficiency ratings as high as 97 percent, which is impressive. Read on to find out why you should upgrade both your cooling and heating systems simultaneously.
The second step is to clean or replace the air filters. Clogged HVAC filters obstruct airflow and reduce the overall effectiveness of the HVAC system. Whether you’ve been neglecting to clean or replace your system’s air filters for a long, now is a good time to do so. This should be done at least once every three to six months. If you want to be extra cautious, check your air filter every 30 days to see if it is dirty or clogged with debris. Consult your owner’s handbook to determine which air filter is most appropriate for your system. A minimum MERV value of 7 should be used when selecting an air filter for your home. Make sure you have enough backups so that you don’t have to run to the store every month or two to replace them.
3) Clean and unclog all return and supply vents and registers– Make sure that all of your return and supply vents and registers are clean and free of obstructions. Check to make sure that none of them are blocked by rugs, furniture, or anything else that might be obstructing their path. Learn why you should never close any of your vents, as well as the truth behind other common HVAC misconceptions. While you’re checking to make sure nothing is blocking your vents, please take a moment to clear them of any dust that has gathered in the area surrounding them. It is essential to clean your ducts to avoid dirt and dust entering your HVAC system and cycling throughout your home.
4) have you had your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system professionally inspected in preparation for the following Fall season? Whether you are a homeowner or a property manager, you will require the services of a competent HVAC professional to assist you in the maintenance and repair of your air conditioning system. A well-maintained and serviced HVAC system is highly energy-efficient, both in terms of performance and use of energy. As a result, you should have your HVAC system inspected by a competent contractor at least twice a year for the heating system. This is done once in the autumn and the spring for the cooling system. The examination is intended to identify any issues and guarantee that the HVAC system is operating as efficiently as possible. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning inspections involve checking filters and evaluating electrical switches, belts, contacts (including motors), safety switches (including gas pressure), and refrigerant levels.
To maintain your system operating at peak efficiency, we recommend that you sign up for an HVAC maintenance agreement, such as our Maintenance Value Plan (MVP). Having a maintenance agreement for your HVAC system ensures that you receive priority service in the event of a system breakdown and ensures that your checks are conducted on schedule. This arrangement will enable you to save a significant amount of money in the long run. As winter approaches, the demand for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems increases. Therefore, you should always get your HVAC system tested by a licensed and certified HVAC expert contractor! Please let us know if there is anything further, we can do to assist you or have any questions or concerns.