Your AC/heating system is the heart and lungs of your home, so it stands to reason you should do all you can to help keep it healthy. After all—your HVAC system works year-round to keep you and your family cozy and comfortable. Plus, failure to take proper care of your system can be stressful and costly!
Here are some things you can do to ensure your unit lives a long, healthy life, heating and cooling your home as efficiently as possible.
Change Your Filters Regularly
This is one of the simplest ways homeowners can keep their system operating optimally. Dirty filters can make your unit have to work harder to heat or cool your home, causing it to run less efficiently. Be sure to change your filters every month!
Don’t Turn Your System Off
Some people think turning their AC/heating system off completely when away from home for extended periods of time will help save on their electricity bills. This is a myth that can be damaging and costly. Once you turn your system back on, it must work harder to reach the desired temperature, which isn’t good for your system or your pocket.
Keep All Your Vents Open
It may seem logical to close the vents in unused rooms in your home, but it can end up doing more harm than good for you HVAC unit. Your system is designed and calibrated for specific output and input pressures. Closing vents can throw the system out of balance, causing problems of functionality and dependability.
Maintain Outdoor Airflow
Maintaining airflow around your unit is important. Clean out plants, grass clipping, leaves and any clutter from the area around your AC unit. If you have hedges growing near your unit, keep them trimmed to at least two feet away as well. Obstructions like theses can keep your system from working efficiently.
Maintain Indoor Airflow
Just as important as maintaining airflow around your unit outside is keeping the airflow unobstructed around your vents inside, also. Keep you return vent and all other vents free of dust, and keep drapes and furniture from covering them.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
Installing a “smart” or “learning” thermostat such as Nest® or ecobee (both available from GVEC) can help your system run more efficiently and save you money. These devises track your heating and cooling routine for a few days and soon begin adjusting according to you home comfort habits. This can help your system cycle on and off less often as well as prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
Clean Your Condensate Lines
Mold and gunk can build up in your condensate line, causing blockages that can make your unit run less efficiently or even causing water to overflow into your home. We recommend cleaning it monthly with a simple solution of one cup of vinegar to one gallon of warm or hot water.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is a preventive measure you can take to keep your system running efficiently, help to avoid major repairs and expand the lifetime of your unit. Most warranties even require it! With programs like HVAC Spec Check™ from GVEC, keeping your HVAC system in tip-top condition is easy and affordable!
To find out more about HVAC Spec Check, call us at 866.684.2359, or visit gvecACservice.org.
