HVAC Tips for Your Home

Taking Care of Your System Extends Its Life

Your residential air conditioning and heating make up your home’s HVAC system. This is one of the most expensive necessary parts of your home, as replacing can be in the tens of thousands of dollars. So taking care of your HVAC system to extend its life and keep it running is a financially smart decision.

In fact, taking care of your HVAC can reduce your chances of surprise heater or air conditioner repairs. Follow these HVAC tips for your home so you can stay comfortable year-round in your home.

Change the Filter

If your HVAC system uses a blower, you likely have a filter that must be changed or cleaned on a regular basis. If your system has an air filter that requires changing, you’ll want to swap out your filters every 30 to 90 days, but more often if you have pets!

Changing the air filter keeps your home’s air cleaner and fresher and can help keep your system in better condition so that it lasts longer. Be sure you replace it with one that is the right size for your system. The measurements for the disposable filter are usually printed on the edge.

If your heating HVAC system uses a washable air filter, you’ll want to clean it just as often as you’d change a disposable one.


Properly Insulate Your Home

If your home leaks like a sieve, then sealing it up and properly insulating it will help you save money on heating and cooling costs.

When your home lacks insulation, heat and cool air disperses through the walls, roof, windows, and floors, which makes your bills more expensive.

It’s ideal to have an energy audit done on your home to tell what you need to do to improve your insulation and prevent leaks.


Service Your System


Regular maintenance from a knowledgeable technician ensures your systems are in good working order. You should have your HVAC system checked twice a year, once before you turn on the air conditioner, and once before you turn on your heater.

Regular maintenance helps you avoid costly A/C or heating repairs because they include a thorough inspection of your equipment, including cleaning and adjusting controls and burners, testing and adjusting combustion, and applying lubricant on your appliance’s parts. Cleaning the

cabinet and coils, adjusting refrigerant levels, and more will help keep your system going.

Poor maintenance can reduce efficiency by 50 percent, so you’ll actually save money by paying for maintenance on a regular basis.

Keep Ducts Clean


If your HVAC ducts are full of debris and dust, know that some of that is getting sucked into your equipment and redistributed throughout your home.

Keep the areas around your vents clear of furniture, clothes, toys, and more. Clean off your vent faces and vacuum inside the vents, where your machine can reach.

If necessary, you can hire a professional to clean out the remainder of your vents. This is especially ideal in households with lots of pets, or for allergy sufferers who are not finding relief with their physician’s treatment.

If you don’t have a forced-air system, be sure you’re keeping clean any equipment responsible for heating or cooling your home, such as your radiator. Clear away any furniture or other items from around them, especially if you’re hoping to make them work more efficiently.

Use Your Senses


One of the biggest signs of an issue with your heating or cooling system are those that you can sense! If you’re hearing strange noises or smelling odd odors, you might want to have your HVAC system checked out.

New sounds or smells are indicative of a potential problem within your system. The sooner you catch it and have it repaired, the better, as letting problems go long-term can create new, more expensive ones.

Banging noises, the smell of gas, a “dusty” or “musty” scent, and other warning signs are just a few to watch for. Any changes to your system should be addressed quickly. Being vigilant can save your system and your wallet!

Always Seek Professional Help


If you aren’t sure how to care for your HVAC system, then you should absolutely confer with a professional in your area. These experts know everything about your heating and cooling system and can advise you on specifics of what you should be doing for maintenance and care.

Julie Higgins
Author
Julie is a Staff Writer at momooze.com. She has been working in publishing houses before joining the editorial team at momooze. Julie's love and passion are topics around beauty, lifestyle, hair and nails.