The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system keeps indoor spaces comfortable. It’s also a major monetary investment, so it needs to be in tip-top shape to last as long as possible.
A few simple maintenance tips can help you keep your HVAC system running efficiently. These tips include: changing the air filter, keeping the area around the unit clear, and cleaning the drain line.
1. Change Your Air Filters Regularly
Air filters are designed to pull pollutants out of the air before it circulates through your home and your HVAC system. They help screen out pollen, dust, animal fur, germs, mold and more, keeping the air clean for everyone in your household.
However, these filters don’t last forever, and when they get clogged with grime they become less effective at their job. In addition, a dirty filter forces your HVAC to work harder in order to push air through the blockage, which results in higher electric bills for you.
To avoid these problems, it’s important to change your filter regularly. This can be a DIY project, although depending on your house, especially its location, you might prefer to call in a professional. To do so, first shut off the air-conditioning unit and locate your filter. It may be in the return duct, which sucks air into the system, or it may be located within the air-handling unit itself in an attic, basement or closet.
2. Keep Your Landscape Well-Maintained
While your backyard may look lovely with lush greenery, it’s important to maintain a clear area around the outdoor condenser unit. Plants that grow too close to the HVAC equipment can restrict airflow to its coils, which can damage or clog the system. This is why it’s essential to follow HVAC landscaping tips that ensure proper clearance.
When choosing plants, avoid flowering or pollinator attracting flowers such as roses and holly. These can attract bees and wasps, which can nest in your unit and sting anyone who comes near it. Also, choose plants that don’t have thorns or sharp leaves. These can make it uncomfortable for technicians to perform maintenance on your system and create a safety hazard for everyone in the yard.
Keeping the area weed free is also important to prevent overgrowth that can restrict airflow. Be sure to check the area regularly and pull any weeds that are growing in. This will help to keep the area safe for your children and pets as well as to prevent clogging the air conditioner’s fan.
3. Keep Your Vents Open
Many people close the air vents in unused rooms, believing it will help their HVAC
system work more efficiently. However, this will actually decrease your home’s energy efficiency and cost you more money. The HVAC unit was designed based on the size of your house and can only distribute so much air. Closing your vents restricts the amount of air that can enter and redistribute, creating a buildup of pressure in the system.
Another issue is that closing the vents causes the blower to have to work harder to push the same amount of air through the entire house, which increases its energy usage. This will also reduce the life of your system and cause it to break down more frequently. The bottom line is that your HVAC system was designed to be balanced, and if you close the vents in unused rooms it will throw off this balance and cause other problems. For these reasons, it is always best to keep all the air vents open.
4. Clean the Ductwork
If you have ductwork that is dirty, it will negatively impact your home’s air quality. This is because contaminants (dust, pet dander, pollen, and mold) are pulled into your vents and circulated throughout the house with each heating and cooling cycle.
Ducts are easy to clean when you know how. But if you’re inexperienced, you could end up releasing mold spores and other pollutants into your home.
Before beginning any duct cleaning, make sure the HVAC system is off. Then, turn off your home’s electricity and remove the grilles and vent covers. It’s also a good idea to cover nearby furniture and carpeting to prevent any accidental spills or stains. A dust mask and gloves should be used as well, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Begin by determining which duct is the return type. This is usually identified by putting a tissue against the vent. If the tissue sticks, it’s a return duct.
An HVAC system may be repaired or replaced under your home’s warranty. This is different from your insurance for the house so be sure to understand the difference between homeowners insurance vs home warranty. With proper HVAC maintenance, you can avoid repairs and replacements in your system for years to come.
