June 9, 2021
Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is an essential part of your home. It helps to regulate temperatures, filter out irritants, and much more. However, it doesn’t do this all on its own. There is a lot you can do to help your system run smoothly.
Most people will attend a yearly physical to make sure their body is functioning properly and to determine if there are any needs for concern. Similarly, your HVAC system should be regularly checked. It can’t just keep running indefinitely and it’s better to catch problems early on so you can avoid expensive repairs in the future. Maintaining your HVAC system requires that you inspect specific parts of your system monthly, seasonally, and yearly. You should also perform maintenance like replacing filters and lubricating the system’s motor. It may also be beneficial to have a professional inspect your system regularly.
To keep your system working smoothly, you need to increase the insulation of your home. Insulation helps to keep air in your home, and it regulates the temperature. With insulation, your HVAC system will not have to work as hard. If you have an attic, this is one of the first places you should start insulating. Typically, attics are wide open spaces that don’t get much use, and this is where air tends to escape. In addition to insulating the attic as a whole, make sure you address any spots where air escapes the attic. This can include spots around your chimney or pipes.
Energy leaks, or areas in the home where air escapes, force your HVAC system to work harder. To improve your system, identify any energy leaks in your home and seal them up. To start off, you can look for holes that lead to the outside of your home. You might see these around doors and windows. You can seal these holes easily with caulk or another substance. Other holes may exist in your home around recessed lights, your chimney, or in open stud cavities. Filling all these holes can reduce the amount of air that escapes your home.
Many people have begun replacing their windows with more energy efficient models. There are numerous benefits to having efficient windows in your home. In relation to your HVAC system, energy efficient windows will help to insulate your home and reduce any energy leaks. Additionally, newer windows can actually protect from UV rays which is beneficial to your furniture. These windows will also better insulate against sound which will make your home quieter. To top it all off, these windows will require less maintenance than other models.
A part of your HVAC system’s duties is actually filtering your air. However, all the dust and debris can build up over time. You need to clean your ducts, vents, and filters to remove all this build up. If you don’t, it forces your system to work hard which can wear it out and some of the debris can actually get filtered back into your air. In some cases, you should have a professional come and clean your HVAC system. However, there are ways you can clean it yourself. As you clean, clear all vents and ducts of dust. Make sure you are gentle though. You don’t want to cause any damage. In addition to cleaning out your system, replace all the air filters.
There are ways you can control the temperature in your home so your HVAC system doesn’t need to be running so hard. If you want it to be cooler, you can block out your windows or even get tinted windows. This reduces the amount of sunlight coming through. You can also use ceiling fans and box fans to help regulate the temperature. To make your home warmer, let in all the sunlight you want. You can also cook hot foods and even just wear warmer clothes. If you are doing your part to help regulate the temperatures in your home, then your system can have a bit of a break.
To reduce the stress put on your HVAC system, consider getting a programmable thermostat. These can be beneficial to you in many ways. First of all, they help to reduce the amount of time your HVAC system runs. You can program your system so it doesn’t run while you are out of the house. You can also program it to reach a certain temperature when you want it to. For example, you can program it to be a comfortable temperature when you wake up without having to get up and adjust it. Additionally, a programmable thermostat can help you reduce your monthly energy bills.
In addition to the system running within your home, most HVAC systems will also have an outside unit. This unit will need attention just like every other part of the system. To start off, make sure your outdoor unit isn’t obstructed by debris such as tree branches or leaves. You should also avoid having any plants close to the unit. Any kind of obstruction can damage the system. It may be a good idea to hire someone to come look at your unit. Sometimes there could be nests or other similar obstructions that are actually inside the unit. In addition to removing obstructions, you should ensure that your unit is sitting on level ground. There are many components in the unit, such as coolant, that need to flow evenly. If your unit is not level, you may need to call a professional to make adjustments.
Your HVAC system does a lot for you. To keep it running smoothly and to help it last longer, there are things that you should also be doing for it. Make improvements around your home that will help your system run well and you can enjoy a comfortable living space.
Need help bringing your HVAC up to date? We have you covered!
