An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. As with most things in life, this old adage rings true in the context of your heating and air conditioning system. You must take some time and money to invest in the maintenance of your HVAC system in order to have it perform properly. Not doing so can lead to very costly, not to mention inconvenient, breakdowns. As winter gives way to spring, warmer temperatures are right around the corner. Use these tips to make sure your HVAC system is ready for the summer heat to come.
Change Filters Regularly
You should change the filters on your HVAC system according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Most of the time this means changing it monthly or quarterly. These filters can get dirty quick. When an HVAC system runs with a dirty filter not only does it push extra dust, dander, and pet hair into the air in your home, it can also put a heavier workload on the HVAC system. This means it will not run as efficiently and your energy bills will rise. To maintain heating and cooling efficiency and proper indoor air quality in your home, be sure to change the filters as recommended by the manufacturer.
Duct Sealing
In order to keep your home at comfortable temperature levels, you should check to be sure your ducts are sealed. If the ducts that move air from your heater, air conditioner, and furnace or not properly sealed you can lose more heat and air from the system into the home. This means your entire system will not run as efficiently. Now is the time to make sure all your ducts are sealed and the air from your HVAC system is being routed where it should be.
Annual Tune-Ups
You should schedule an annual tune-up for your HVAC system with an air conditioning professional. Ideally, they should be done in the spring or in the fall. Professionals will have a checklist of items to look at in your system to ensure you are set for the upcoming seasons. Oftentimes, problems can be caught during these tune ups while they are still small and relatively inexpensive to fix. An annual tune up is easier to pay for and schedule than needing to make an emergency service call during off hours.
Programmable Thermostats
You may also want to consider having a programmable thermostat installed in your home. According to Energy Star, properly using a programmable thermostat can save a homeowner around $180 per year in energy costs. This makes it so that your investment will quickly pay for itself. Programmable thermostats also free you from the job of monitoring and babysitting your thermostat.
Following these tips can help ensure that your HVAC system is prepared for the warmer weather that is soon to come. In addition, they can help save you time and money in the long run. Contact Autumn Air Conditioning for all your HVAC queries, so you can confidently enjoy the Florida sun knowing your HVAC system is prepared to handle it.