HVAC Tips
During a hot summer day or a bitter cold winter night, your heating and cooling system is your best friend. Your HVAC system is the hardest working system in the house. Treat it well and it will be good to you. There are simple things you can do to take care of your air conditioning and heating equipment to keep it running when you need it most.
Here are 5 easy (but effective) HVAC tips that will help your system stay in prime condition year-round.
5 Tips for Maintaining Your HVAC System
1. Change Your Filters
One of the most apparent reasons for air conditioner repair is a dirty air filter. As the HVAC system is used, the air filter inside of it gets clogged with dirt, dust, and other types of debris. The dirtier the filter gets, the harder the system is forced to work to do its job, making it use more energy and costing you more on your utility bill. By changing the filter regularly, you can ensure that your HVAC system always has a clean air filter, so it can function at its best. Aim to replace filters every 1-3 months based on the type of system you have.
2. Keep the Drain Line Clear
Your HVAC unit will have what’s known as a condensate drain line. It’s wise to keep it clean because when the line gets clogged, it can cause the system to start to freeze up and fail in its operation. To clean, take off the air conditioner’s outer cover and clean the drain line with a clean piece of cloth. Clear the AC condense drain with a mixture of water and bleach (or use vinegar) removing any mold which might have formed. This also helps to prevent any clogs.
3. Keep the Condenser and the Evaporator Coils Clean
Whether it’s an indoor or an outdoor HVAC unit, you want to keep the coils as clean from debris as humanly possible. This is all part of good HVAC maintenance, and you want to keep the airflow running as smoothly as possible.
Cleaning the coils is a quick maintenance hack, but before you ever begin to clean them, you should first make sure that you carefully follow the instructions. Take special care when you handle the coils because you don’t want to damage them. The more expensive units tend to have more expensive parts for replacement.
4. Adjust Your Thermostat
A good rule of thumb is to set your thermostat to 68 degrees in winter and 78 degrees in summer during waking hours. Consider a programmable thermostat. A smart thermostat lets you set your schedule and forget about it. Smart thermostats are easy to program and control from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet. Some models can even learn your HVAC habits and schedule so they can make energy-saving adjustments without any programming at all.
5. Don't Skip On Annual Maintenance and Tune-Up
Getting regular AC Tune-ups is very important when it comes to extending the life of the unit. Your air conditioner and furnace should both be inspected, cleaned and tuned up every year. A well maintained and serviced HVAC system is highly efficient in both its functionality and energy consumption. Always hire a licensed HVAC professional to perform annual maintenance and repairs on your HVAC system. Get in touch with Smart Comfort Heating and Air today to schedule a maintenance appointment!