The key to ensuring any appliance in your home lasts as long as possible is to maintain it properly and routinely, and your HVAC system is no different. While there are a few HVAC maintenance tasks you can perform on your own without training, investing in a professional tune-up is the number-one way to prevent your system from breaking down and costing more to operate.
Change Your Air Filter Monthly
In addition to improving indoor air quality, which can worsen with a dirty and clogged HVAC filter, changing it monthly also ensures your heating and cooling system doesn’t have to run longer to make up for its limitations. Considering a dirty filter is also the most common cause for a breakdown, ignoring this easy-yet-effective maintenance task can be the biggest mistake you make as it concerns your HVAC system.
Biggest Benefits of Changing Your HVAC Filter
- Extend your HVAC system’s life by preventing breakdowns.
- Reduce energy costs by ensuring your HVAC system operates efficiently.
- Prevent worsening symptoms of allergies and asthma.
Clean Your Home’s Air Registers
While you should leave the duct cleaning to the professionals, cleaning the vents is another easy and effective way to help your HVAC system breathe a little better. Here are three steps to take to clean the air registers around your home.
- Turn off the power to the heating and cooling system.
- Unscrew the air registers and brush them clean with soap and warm water.
- Vacuum around the ducts as much as possible.
TIP: Use a dust mask to protect your face from falling debris.
Invest in a Professional Tune-Up
The best time to tuneup your HVAC system is during the spring and fall before the cooling and heating seasons. That way, when the summer’s hottest and winter’s coldest months try to strain your system, it’s prepared to handle the workload. While an initial investment, professional maintenance pays for itself by lowering energy bills and preventing costly breakdowns from happening.
If you’re interested in professional maintenance on your HVAC system, contact the home comfort specialists at Western Hills Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.