The HVAC is a substantial investment in your home that helps improve the air quality. As a homeowner, you would wish that your system works efficiently with no breakdowns over the cooling or heating seasons. However, its quality may begin to decrease as it ages.
With the right preventive measures in place, you can minimize constant tear or wear, which may translate into expensive repairs. Besides, you can boost your unit’s longevity to help enjoy optimal comfort year in year out. Below is a list of some best practices to keep your system running for longer to save you money.
1. Install a Digital Thermostat
An older thermostat may not work efficiently. When you switch to the digital model, it improves the overall performance of your unit. It contains some pre-programmed settings that allow you to tailor your unit output to your needs.
The thermostat helps provide the required comfort in your house, and you can switch it off when you are away or while sleeping to save on energy. Since you can automatically control it based on your schedule, it reduces the chances of any material depreciation in your unit. As a result, you will prevent sudden breakdowns and also save on energy expenditure.
2. Keep Your Vents Open
Most people tend to keep the vents in unused rooms closed all through. While you may have all the reasons to do this, it may adversely affect your unit. The HVAC will have to work extra hard to keep the room at the required temperature. When overworked, it begins to wear out.
Remember that your unit requires proper air circulation to facilitate cooling or heating. Opening the vents in all rooms helps to maintain a constant temperature in the house. Therefore, avoid having furniture or other items near the vents.
3. Change The HVAC Filters
Over time, the HVAC may collect dust that accumulates on the filters. A dirty filter may increase energy consumption and damage your equipment resulting in early repairs. When clogged, it restricts airflow, which affects the heat exchange properties, and may result in more operational problems. It would be best to change the filters regularly within one to three months. If you have pets or reside in dusty areas, you may want to change it more often.
4. Improve Your Home’s Insulation
When you have a well-insulated house, you don’t have to solely depend on your HVAC system, extending its overall lifespan. The less you use your system, the longer it lasts. To achieve this, you may want to use energy-efficient windows and ensure that you have no air slots that bring in air from the outside. Check the seals and ensure that they are all intact. You can also insulate the windows using spray foam or caulking. Additionally, install a solar film to minimize heat gain or loss and apply weather stripping to all the doors.
5. Schedule Regular Maintenance
It would be best to plan for your unit’s constant maintenance to ensure that it runs efficiently. Seek professional help from qualified technicians who will inspect, clean, and adjust various components to keep everything in order. It will thus help reduce wear and tear instances as well as save on heating and cooling costs. When you give your unit regular attention, it keeps your home environment healthy and prevents future repairs.
6. Call For Critical Repairs Immediately
At times your HVAC system may begin to work strangely or develops problems beyond your scope of knowledge. When this happens, ensure to report the problem to a professional as quickly as possible. Ignoring smaller issues may lead to massive and more expensive problems.
Remember that issues strain the entire system when one component malfunctions since it has to keep up with the functioning expectations. As time passes, the damage becomes even worse. Therefore, have your unit inspected and fixed after the first sign of trouble to keep it in good shape and save money.
7. Use Ceiling Fans
You can also decrease the workload of your unit by using fans. In warmer seasons, they create a wind-chill effect, which makes your house cooler. Besides, they help lower the humidity level for more comfort.
During winter, set them on the reverse mode to distribute heat from the HVAC unit throughout the rooms. It’s particularly beneficial for larger rooms that have higher ceilings. Besides, it helps prevent the fan from generating an uncomfortable breeze.
8. Clear Around the Outdoor Unit
Bunch of trees limbs, grass clippings, and overgrown vegetation may interfere with your system’s operation. Your unit needs to release air through the fins efficiently, and covering them up will impede the operations. Note that sticks can also get trapped in the fans, which can lead to damage.
As a part of your yard maintenance, remove the buildups, trim the bushes, and avoid vegetation releasing excessive pollen that can clog the condensing unit. Keeping the outdoor system clean allows consistent airflow, which helps prevents wearing.
9. Check the Condensate Drain And The Evaporator Coil
Request your technician to show you where the drain pipe is, and let them teach you how to unplug it. It would also be best if you add some liquid bleach, which prevents the condensate from getting too sludgy while moving out of the drain tubes.
With time, algae and mold may also clog the drain pipe leading to breakdowns. You will then begin to see water leaking all over the floor near your unit. At this point, you may have to replace your old drain, which is an expensive option. Draining it a couple of times in a yearly will help keep your system running adequately.
10. Plan for Annual Tune-up
The HVAC manufacturers recommend that you have regular tune-ups by a professional. It entails evaluating all elements of your system to identify problems earlier. Please note that even faulty electrical connections may reduce the lifespan of your unit. A technician will thus measure the voltage, tighten connections, and look for any other issues.
During tune-ups, the technician also lubricates moving parts to ensure that the unit cycles off and on properly. Thus, it will help improve efficiency and lower breakdown risks, which prolongs the unit’s life and saves on fuel costs.
Conclusion
Your HVAC system keeps your indoor environment comfortable, no matter the weather outside. It requires constant maintenance and great use practices to function at its best. Unfortunately, most people neglect their units until problems start to manifest. Please remember that a faulty unit may reduce efficiency, driving up your electricity bills. Additionally, some repairs may very expensive compared to maintenance.
The above guide outlines various activities that you can undertake to keep your unit in top shape to minimize wear and tear. If your system requires regular maintenance, servicing, or checkup, you can reach out to Polar Air & Heating, Inc.. Our team of professions has the expertise needed to handle any air conditioning concerns regarding HVAC tear and wear.
Additionally, we provide other services, including AC repairs, installations, tune-ups, and replacements. Besides, we offer light commercial refrigeration services in Las Vegas and surrounding areas. Give Polar Air & Heating, Inc. a call or schedule an appointment online for professional inspection and servicing of your HVAC unit to prevent wear.
