16 Feb Five HVAC Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner Should Know
As a homeowner, one of the most critical systems ensuring your house feels like a comfortable home is your HVAC system. Following these five HVAC best practices for homeowners will help protect the longevity of your AC and heating unit for many years.
#1 Know What Type of HVAC System You Have.
If you’re a homeowner, you need to know what kind of HVAC system you have and do what you can to educate yourself on your specific unit. The typical system is a central air conditioning system which uses a network of ducts and a blower to shuttle cool air around your house. Your home could also have a ductless mini-split system or even a window-attached wall unit (In Texas, yikes!). You should also know whether your furnace is electric, or natural gas, or if your home uses a heat pump or boiler system. The more you know about your HVAC system, the better equipped you’ll be to maintain it. Read the owner’s manual, visit the manufacturer’s website, and ask your HVAC technician any questions you have about the fundamentals.
#2 Change Your Filters and Clean Your Ductwork.
If you’ve just moved into your home, change the air filter. Your home was most likely listed for a few months before you purchased it, and even though the air conditioner probably wasn’t running all that often, it’s still a good idea to start with fresh clean air filters. Additionally, most home inspectors don’t check ductwork, which means for a new homeowner, you won’t know if your ducts are dirty or in need of repair. If your home seems dusty, or you notice your HVAC system making loud noises as if it is working harder than it should, you should check your ducts. Chances are, they’re just dirty.
#3 Make Sure Your Condenser Unit is Clear of Debris.
Your condenser is usually in your side yard and is easily forgotten. Over time, shrubs and debris can grow or build up around your unit, limiting its airflow, and making it work harder to cool your home.
#4 Keep Your Vents Open.
Many new homeowners are guilty of this one. In order to save energy, homeowners close the vents in rooms they don’t use thinking it will save them energy. In reality, this actually makes your HVAC system less efficient. Heat likes to distribute itself evenly, so it is unlikely that your closed-vent room will escape its path. Your HVAC system will just work harder to ensure an even temperature around your house.
#5 Monitor your energy bills.
You can understand how efficiently your HVAC system runs by monitoring your energy bills. If you notice a sudden increase in your energy costs, it may be a sign that your system needs maintenance. Other issues could be low refrigerant levels or a clogged filter. Other than monitoring the energy bills, check the performance. How fast does it warm or cool the house? Do you feel that it’s not adequately cooling or heating the home?
Finally, one of the most important tips is to build a relationship with your local HVAC technician. As a new homeowner, you can’t rely on your landlord to fix any appliance issues in your home – that’s your responsibility now. It’s a good idea to fill your rolodex with several home improvement contractors, including plumbers, electricians, and even a good landscaper, but trust us when we say that your HVAC contractor should be top of the list. HVAC systems have a lot of small moving parts and play a huge role in your home’s comfort. A strong relationship with an HVAC contractor will save you thousands during the duration of your homeownership.
For those near San Antonio in the Hill Country area, you don’t have to look far. Our experienced and certified technicians have earned Boerne AC & Heating’s stellar reputation as a leading provider of HVAC services in the greater Boerne, TX area. Since 1980, we have provided high quality workmanship with honesty and integrity. We won’t let you down! Give us a call to schedule your winter maintenance checkup.