When functioning optimally, your home’s HVAC system should run silently and efficiently while keeping your entire home comfortable. However, it’s not an entirely hands-off process. There are many things you can do as a homeowner to help support your HVAC system and keep it going for longer, such as the four listed right here.
Change The Filters
The filters inside of your HVAC system constantly clean the air that is pumping through your home. Without them, your system would be spreading a number of debris and allergens that can irritate your airways and even worsen breathing conditions. But, filters can’t do their job unless they are clean.
It’s easy to forget about air filters because they are out of sight, but keeping it on your calendar to check and clean them regularly is essential to an efficient system. Your HVAC unit will struggle to pull air through clogged filters, harming its efficiency and making it work harder for mediocre results.
Inspect Ductwork
Did you know that up to 20% of the air you’re paying to heat and cool can be lost due to leaky ductwork? Leaky ducts are particularly common in older HVAC systems, but they can occur in newer systems, too, such as when gaps and holes are introduced through deterioration as well as a number of other causes.
Regardless of why ducts leak, it’s important that you identify leaks and get them addressed as soon as possible. Failing to do so can cost you a lot of money in a matter of a few weeks due to the great strain leaks place on your system.
Keep Vents Clear
Even if your HVAC system is doing everything right, things will still go wrong if the vents and registers that allow the conditioned air to enter your home are not kept clean and clear. Never sit rugs or other objects on top of vents as they will make it nearly impossible for air to come into the room.
Likewise, make sure vents themselves are kept dust-free, because it won’t matter how clean your system’s air filters are if all of that clean air gets dirty again when blowing into the room through a dusty vent. Make checking and cleaning vents a routine chore and you’ll surely notice cleaner air and a happier HVAC system, too.
Schedule Routine Maintenance
Routine maintenance is a must-do for any HVAC system. Without it, small things can end up turning into costly problems that not only harm your system’s efficiency but also use more energy and even shorten the system’s life. By calling in a professional for regular maintenance and check-ups, you’ll save time and money in the long-run.
The efficiency of your HVAC system ultimately depends on devoted and timely upkeep. While maintaining your HVAC system isn’t an entirely hands-off process, working these simple things into your routine will greatly extend the system’s life. With a few minutes a week, you can keep your system running at its best.
