Wherever you’re from, it’s an indisputable fact that one of the most worked-up components in a home is its heating and air conditioning systems. During the warmer months, the air conditioner has to work hard to keep your home cool, and with the heating working its magic for warmth. Because it’s consistently used, it’s also not surprising how a home’s HVAC may be one of those that’ll have the most maintenance requirements.
Ideally, the best route to take to help you maintain your home’s HVAC system and repairs is to seek services from experts like HVAC contractor Leesburg. Leaving such highly technical tasks to professionals can help you be certain that the work quality won’t be compromised. However, in between those visits from repair or service companies, homeowners will also need to have their active participation.
Read through below for some ways you can boost your home’s heating and air conditioning ability.
1. Unblock And Vacuum Your Vents
Unblocking your vents means keeping them clean and clear of any debris. From time to time, go around your home to check your vents to see if any of them seem to have accumulated dirt or debris.
Consider answering the following questions as you evaluate your vents:
- Ask yourself when the last time that you cleaned your vents was.
- Check to see whether or not a professional duct cleaning service is now necessary.
- Assess if any vents need to have an air filter and what the size should be.
It’s crucial to unblock and vacuum your vents regularly to help maintain a steady airflow throughout your HVAC system. Consider doing this at least a month, once every two months, or whenever needed.
2. Change Your Air Filter Regularly
Air filters play an essential role in a home’s HVAC system. Essentially, it’s a layer of protection that helps capture airborne contaminants and aid in preventing them from circulating throughout your home.
Ideally, it’s a good idea to replace your air filters at least once every three to six months. This can help ensure your home’s air is clean and that you also enjoy optimal heating and cooling performance.
3. Clean Around The Outside Condenser Unit
Aside from maintaining the interior components of your HVAC system, keeping the outside condenser unit clean is also an absolute must. It can be at its most effective when it’s clean and completely free from any debris, such as grass or leaves.
Cleaning the condenser unit can be tricky, however, so it may be better for you to call an expert HVAC contractor to do this job on your behalf.
4. Go For A Yearly HVAC Equipment Tune-Up
This tip is something that’s also best left to the experts. Just as a regular tune-up is very important for your car, the same also holds for your home’s HVAC equipment and machinery.
This can be an opportunity for professionals to check the equipment for possible issues and inspect elements such as refrigerant levels, ductworks, drain lines, carbon monoxide levels, and electrical connections. This step is an absolute must for higher levels of comfort and efficiency.
5. Close All The Doors And Windows
Closing your home’s windows and doors open while your HVAC is running is a good practice since it can help preserve the coolness of your room. On the other hand, leaving them can hurt and add more pressure to your HVAC equipment since your air conditioning system will have to work harder to cool the room. This can, unfortunately, lead to serious inefficiencies with your HVAC equipment.
6. Make Good Use Of Your Blinds Or Curtains
A window’s blinds and curtains contribute more than just an aesthetic value to a home since they can also aid in controlling and regulating your home’s interior temperature, helping your HVAC system perform better and more efficiently.
Here’s how you can make good use of your blinds or curtains:
- In the hot summer, close your window covering during the day. Doing this can help block the sun while also effectively reducing the heat entering your home.
- In the winter months, you may want to keep them open, so the sun can help warm the space up, so your heating equipment, such as the furnace, also doesn’t have to overwork itself.
7. Install A Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is a device you can install in your home to help control and manage your home’s heating and cooling temperature more efficiently, straight from a smart device. This can either be your computer or your tablet. Smart thermostats are generally enabled by a Wi-Fi connection, so you can easily access them through an app.
Some smart thermostat models also allow you to install a program or configure the device to function based on your heating and cooling needs and even the weather or temperature outside, giving you more control. Aside from potentially resulting in higher energy savings, this can also help your HVAC equipment function better, avoiding the exhaustion of your installed systems.
Wrapping Up
When nearly half of a home’s energy goes to the heating and cooling system, it’s all the more a must to ensure it stays in good, active order. Making smart decisions and positive action about your home’s HVAC can have a significant effect not just on your energy bills but also on your home’s overall comfort levels.
The tips above could be a good starting point to give your home’s heating and air conditioning power a boost. Likewise, if anything about your HVAC’s maintenance is beyond your ability and reach, call no one else but your trusted, expert HVAC contractors.