Tips for HVAC Preventative Maintenance for the Fall and Winter
An HVAC unit is a significant investment. When you purchase a new unit, you want to keep it working well for as long as possible. On average, an HVAC unit will last about 10 years, but you can make it last a lot longer. The best way to extend the life of your HVAC unit is to perform preventative maintenance. Here are some preventative maintenance tips for the fall and winter.
1. Clean the Filter
First, you need to clean the air filter regularly. The air filter is designed to collect the dust particles and other debris floating in the air. Of course, it can only collect so before it gets clogged or starts blowing out dirty air. Luckily, the air filter is easy to clean. All you need to do is remove the filter and vacuum it to remove all the dust. Then, replace the cleaned filter and air circulation should increase significantly. If the filter doesn’t clean easily you may want to consider replacing it.
2. Limit HVAC Use
You don’t always need to use your HVAC unit. Using it less can allow it to rest and last longer. Start by turning it off when you don’t need it, such as when you are gone for the day. You should also ensure that your home is properly insulated with the correct insulation and energy-efficient windows, doors, and roofing material. Finally, find other ways to control the temperature in your home. Some alternative methods that can help save energy include:
- wearing warmer/cooler clothes and bedding
- turning on the fan
- opening the window
- installing blinds
When you do use your HVAC unit, make it a point to lower (or raise) the temperature just one or two degrees. This can make the unit turn on less, lowering the inevitable damage that happens with use.
3. Clean Around HVAC Unit
You don’t want your HVAC unit to become obstructed. Locate the unit outside and ensure that leaves and other debris aren’t interfering with the way it functions. You may also choose to trim trees and bushes in the immediate area to help reduce the amount of greenery in the area.
You should keep things clean inside the unit too. In the summer, you can spray the inside of your unit with clean water to remove any dust build-up.
4. Clean Ducts
The ducts are the tunnels in your home that get the controlled air from your HVAC unit to every nook and cranny of your house. These are essentially the roads of your home’s HVAC system. Just like when traffic gets congested, if the ducts get congested, the air won’t be able to go anywhere. Ducts can get clogged with dust and a variety of other items. You should schedule a technician to check your ducts and clean them to ensure adequate airflow is coming into your house.
5. Check for Leaks
A leak in your system is going to cause a serious problem in your unit’s effectiveness. The air will get out instead of controlling the temperature of your home. This will force your unit to work that much harder. This will make your utility bill go up, and it will add more wear to your unit. A gas leak could even be dangerous for your entire home. Every six months, you should take the time to check for a leak in your system. If you do find a leak, you can patch it or fix it before it becomes worse.
6. Get Regular Maintenance
Ultimately, you are going to want to hire a professional to come and take care of your unit’s maintenance for you once or twice a year. A professional will know what to look for while examining your unit. They will have a checklist to ensure they cover everything. If they notice something problematic, they will point it out to you and fix it upon your request. They will also help clean the system for you in ways you may not be able to do yourself. The best time to schedule maintenance service is early spring or early fall.
[Company_name] can help you make the most of your HVAC unit with regular maintenance. We also provide new HVAC installation, repairs, air quality checks, and more. Call us at [Company_name] for your HVAC preventative maintenance today!
