Home Maintenance Methods Could Keep Your HVAC System Happy
They say home is where the heart is, but we know that home is also where the heat is. Whatever climate you live in, you want to keep your home warm in the winter and cool during the hot months. That means you need a furnace and air conditioner you can rely on.
Maintaining your HVAC units goes a long way toward extending their lifespan and keeping your home comfortable in any weather. But did you know there are also some key home maintenance jobs that will help your HVAC operate more efficiently?
Here, we’ll take a look at what you can do around the house to optimize your HVAC system, find out how to increase efficiency in all seasons, and what you can do to lower your energy bills with some DIY maintenance.
Home Maintenance Tips to Lengthen Your HVAC’s Lifespan
You may not think of standard home repairs as being part of your HVAC maintenance, but the reality is that many home improvements can lengthen the life of your heat pump, cooling system, or other HVAC equipment. Here are a few maintenance tasks and home updates that can contribute to better heating and cooling:
Clean, Repair, or Replace Your Gutters
Gutters are placed around your roof to collect rain and snow, redirecting water away from the foundation, preventing cracks. Every fall, gutters and spouts should be cleaned, inspected, and repaired. Tighten brackets so they will support the weight of snow without breaking.
Inspect Your Roof
A watertight roof protects your home the same way our skin protects us from the environment. Leaky roofs cause costly damage to wiring, plumbing, and the furnace. Make sure to include roof inspection and repair in your annual home maintenance.
Monitor Your Home’s Exterior
During your annual HVAC service or tune-up, ask the technician to inspect the outside of your home. Cracks in the exterior of your home will drive up your heating expenses and cause icy drafts. Look along the window frames, doors, and places where wiring and plumbing enter the home. Also, examine the foundation of your home. Fissures let water drain into your basement, causing structural damage, water damage, and ruining your possessions. The spaces need to be completely caulked before winter.
Keep All Your Ducts in a Row
Your furnace and ductwork require annual servicing. The HVAC technician will make sure everything is running smoothly, saving you from expensive emergency calls for help in the middle of winter. Not only will the system work better, but cleaning the ductwork will also improve the quality of your indoor air. Dust and other debris accumulate while the system is unused, so you must get your ducts cleaned and ready after any period of disuse.
Seasonal Home and HVAC Maintenance Checklist
Beyond these home repairs, you will still need to plan to maintain your HVAC system throughout the year to ensure proper airflow and temperature control throughout your home. Here are our best tips to get you started:
Winter Maintenance Tips
If you live in a climate that gets cold in the winter, you’ll want to make sure your heating system is running smoothly before extreme temperatures arrive. Here are some of the steps you can take to be ready for winter’s chill:
- Inspect your heat pump or furnace for cracks, damage, or signs of wear and tear.
- Dust or vacuum all vents and registers to clear debris.
- Keep your thermostat at a lower temperature when you’re not home.
- Consider installing a smart thermostat to keep a more consistent temperature schedule.
- Check for air leaks and drafts around doors and windows, and seal them up.
- Monitor humidity levels and consider adding a humidifier if the air is too dry.
Spring Maintenance Tips
When the spring thaw begins, you might think you’re getting a reprieve for your HVAC system, but you must stay ahead with springtime preventative maintenance tasks, like these:
- Prepare for summer heat and schedule a tune-up for your air conditioning unit.
- Inspect and clean your outdoor unit.
- Clear any debris like leaves, twigs, or dirt from around the outdoor unit.
- Check refrigerant levels and lines for your AC.
- Test the air conditioner before it gets too hot to make sure it’s blowing cool air.
Summer Maintenance Tips
When temperatures climb, you can’t risk an HVAC breakdown. Make sure you follow these tips to keep your air conditioner running smoothly:
- Check the outdoor unit regularly for accumulated debris and keep it clear.
- Use a hose to clean the condenser coils.
- Inspect the evaporator coil and check for damage or wear.
- Keep your thermostat at a higher temperature when you aren’t home.
- If the house isn’t cooling down, check your thermostat to make sure it isn’t in direct sunlight.
- Install blinds or shades to lower the indoor temperature.
- Check the condensate drain line to make sure it’s clear of any clogs and is draining properly.
Fall Maintenance Tips
Autumn brings pleasant temperatures and, in many places, beautiful scenery, but it’s also a critical time to inspect and maintain your HVAC units. Follow this advice when the leaves begin to change:
- Schedule a tune-up to get ready for cold weather and make sure your furnace or heat pump is in good shape.
- Test your thermostat. If it doesn’t seem to maintain an accurate temperature, you may need to recalibrate it.
- Check carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re functioning properly before you turn on the heat.
- Clean up your air conditioning system and outdoor unit to make sure it’s ready to be offline through the cool months.
Cost-Saving Preventative Maintenance
Taking care of your home and your HVAC units can improve system efficiency, but it can also save you money on utility bills while helping you avoid costly HVAC repairs. Here’s how to reduce energy costs and extend the life of your units:
- Change air filters once a month, or at least once a season. If you have allergies in your family, consider a higher-grade filter to keep your air as clean as possible.
- Install a programmable thermostat and schedule it around peak hours so you use less energy and save money.
- Don’t skip on tune-ups with a qualified HVAC professional. Twice a year (usually spring and fall) is best, but a minimum annual checkup is a must.
- Consider upgrading to new HVAC equipment with better energy efficiency. It’s best to do this before extreme weather hits, so if your existing units are at the end of their service life, plan for fall or spring installation.
- Stick to a regular maintenance routine that includes changing filters, visually inspecting HVAC equipment, cleaning and removing debris from outdoor units, and clearing out the ductwork.
Warning Signs That Require Professional Help
You can DIY most of the ongoing maintenance your HVAC system needs, but some issues are best left to the professionals. How do you know when to call a trusted HVAC technician? Here’s when to pick up the phone:
- If you notice an unusual smell, like smoke or sulfur, coming from your HVAC equipment
- If you see any actual smoke around the units
- If your carbon monoxide detector goes off
- If you hear strange noises coming from the system, like banging, grinding, or squealing
- If you have little or no airflow in the home, even with all of the vents open and clear
- If your system is cycling frequently and doesn’t shut off
Enjoy “Home, Heat Home” with Help from Airtron
Stay toasty warm this winter (and cool next summer) with support from Airtron. Check out our Essential HomeCare packages and design a maintenance plan that works for your needs and budget. At Airtron Heating & Air Conditioning, our technicians have been working with homeowners like you since 1971. Call us today and we’ll help you get your home ready for any weather!
