Homeowners in Middletown regularly rely on their HVAC system to keep their home toasty warm during frigid temperatures and nice and cool in the hot summer months. Although maintaining the ideal environment inside your home is a top priority, the hard work performed by your HVAC system can result in wear and tear over time.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do on a regular basis to protect the longevity of your HVAC system. Use the following seven tips to minimize wear and tear on your heating and cooling unit and to reduce the risk of needing to replace your HVAC system prematurely.
1. Replace the Air Filter
Although replacing your air filter only takes a matter of moments, it’s one of the most important steps you can take to reduce wear and tear on your HVAC unit. Air filters have tiny pores designed to capture particles like dirt, dust, pet dander, and other debris. If these pores clog, your airflow will instantly decrease, resulting in higher energy consumption. Your indoor air quality could also significantly decrease, and your system will have to perform more heating and cooling cycles.
To check the air filters, open your HVAC system’s housing and slide out the existing filter. If it appears dirty or clogged, replace it. You should check your air filters at least once every three months.
2. Keep Your Vents Cleaned
The air vents in your home may quickly collect dust, pet hair, grime, and debris. Any buildup inside your vents can impede airflow. At least once every one to two months, remove the vent covers. Create a simple cleaning solution of warm water and a few drops of dish soap, and use a clean microfiber cloth to clean all surfaces of your vent covers. While the covers are drying, use a wet-dry vacuum with an extended hose to remove debris from the inside of the vents.
3. Inspect the Outdoor Unit
Take a look at your outdoor unit and make sure that it’s completely clear of all debris. Things like tall grass, weeds, and plants can interfere with your system’s ability to exchange heat with the outside air. If your HVAC unit can’t exchange heat properly, it won’t be as efficient at keeping your home cool. Since it will have to work much harder to reach the temperature set on your thermostat, it could experience excess wear and tear.
Periodically cleaning your outside unit could also go a long way in preserving the longevity of your HVAC system. Once the heating or cooling cycle has finished, shut off power at the circuit breaker. Use your garden hose sprayer to rinse and clean the outdoor unit. If necessary, use a scrub brush with soft bristles to remove sticky substances like tree sap.
4. Have Your Air Ducts Sealed
Over time, ducts can loosen at the seams or small holes or punctures can develop. Air leaks in your duct system can cause major spikes in energy bills and cause extra wear on your unit’s motor, capacitor, and compressor. If you’ve noticed that your home isn’t staying warm or cool as usual, leaking air ducts could be the culprit. Consider contacting a professional HVAC company to have your ducts professionally sealed.
5. Schedule Regular Maintenance Service
One of the most practical ways to ensure the longevity of your HVAC unit is to schedule regular maintenance services. Professional technicians can thoroughly inspect, clean, and tune-up your system to ensure it’s working at its prime year-round. If they identify an issue, they may be able to address it before it becomes a major, costly problem.
6. Maintain a Clean Home
Another easy way to reduce wear and tear on your heating and cooling system is to maintain a clean home. Remove particles from the air through regular vacuuming and dusting so they’ll be less likely to enter into your supply and return ducts.
7. Install a Smart Thermostat
If your thermostat is old or outdated, consider upgrading to a smart model that operates via Wi-Fi. Most smart thermostats allow you to adjust the temperature with any smart device through an app. On average, you could save 10% on energy bills.
For fast, efficient, and reliable residential or commercial HVAC service, contact the pros at WK Mechanical, Inc. today. Our dedicated team specializes in performing heating service and repair, heat pump service, and furnace installation. We also offer AC repair, installation, and service.
