HVAC systems are your home’s best defense against the cold of winter and the heat of summer. Here are some general maintenance and upkeep tips to help keep it running efficiently during hot and cold weather.
Change the Filter Regularly
Just like the oil in your car, the filter keeps the entire system clean and efficient. An overloaded filter forces your system to work harder, requiring more energy to push the air through. This could increase your electric bill reduce the lifespan of your HVAC system. Changing the filter is a simple process that you should do based on your HVAC system manufacturer’s guidance. Generally, this means at least once every three months.
New filters are crucial during high-use periods. Hot summers and cold winters put extra strain on your HVAC, so check them regularly during those months. When you’re using your HVAC every day, pet hair, dust and other allergens like pollen build up and quickly reduce the air quality in your home.
Change Your Habits Indoors
Extreme weather in the winter and summer months puts significant strain on your HVAC system.
In the winter, layering up by putting on a sweatshirt and turning down the heat, even just a couple of degrees, can help lower your electricity bill and keep your HVAC running efficiently for longer.
During warm summer months, opening your windows at night and turning on fans can help lower the temperature in your home. Turning off the AC at night lets your unit recover from overworking during the day.
Identify External Changes to Your HVAC System
Before major problems occur, they often show visual warning signs on the actual unit.
For your AC, going outside and looking over your hardware can alert you before serious problems arise. Be on the lookout for rust, dirty condenser or evaporator coils, water leaks, and frozen coils. Identifying these warning signs and fixing them early on can prevent bigger problems and potentially save you thousands in repair bills.
For your heating unit, some external signs of trouble include soot forming around the unit, higher-than-expected energy bills, and strange noises—like groaning or clicking when the unit is active.
IMPORTANT: If you ever notice a rotten-egg smell around your furnace, you may have a gas leak. Evacuate your house immediately and call your natural gas provider. Do not try to troubleshoot a gas leak yourself.
One of the best ways to ensure that your HVAC system is operating at full capacity is to have a qualified HVAC contractor tune up the system twice a year. These tune-ups could help stop any minor problems before they turn into unmitigated disasters.
Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
If you have a gas furnace (most homes, especially in colder climates, do), it’s crucial to have a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace.
Carbon monoxide leaks can kill you. Worse, carbon monoxide cannot be smelled, felt, or tasted. The only signs that you might be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning include sudden and unexplained headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
Keeping a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace could help you address this dangerous problem immediately and save your life.
Let 2-10 Help
With proper maintenance, your HVAC system could last many years. However, sometimes things simply break down despite proper maintenance. In those cases, a 2-10 home warranty could help you save money addressing covered breakdowns.
If you’re looking to sell your home soon, or if you are in the process of purchasing a home, ask your agent about 2-10’s powerful HVAC coverage. It could help protect your budget against the unexpected costs of covered HVAC breakdowns when you need it most.
