Because our HVAC systems are one of the most complex and valuable systems in our homes, the cost and frequency of having to repair one that hasn’t been properly maintained can be expensive and counterproductive. Being proactive when it comes to your home’s expensive heating and cooling system always pays off in the long run.
In order to preserve your valuable home heating and cooling systems and prolong their lifespans, we at Five Star Heating & Cooling Group present these four tips to help you save time and money and avoid headaches:
Practice Efficiency
Like a vehicle, an HVAC system runs much better, and for a lot longer for a lot less money when utilized efficiently. As such, if your air vents are closed up or blocked off, or if dust, dirt, and other debris have gathered in the ducts, you likely have poor airflow. Poor airflow places a strain on your home heating and cooling equipment that can shorten its lifespan while raising your energy bill. Because of this, it is always in your best interest to guarantee your units are easily able to get all the air they need. Home heating and cooling equipment needs to breathe. So we suggest leaving your vent covers open in all the rooms in your home, whether you are using them or not and making sure nothing is blocking the airflow.
Furthermore, if you think anything has accumulated in your air ducts, it might be a good idea to have them cleaned professionally, a service we provide on limited availability.
Finally, making frequent changes to your thermostat’s setting also leads to inefficiency. You can solve this and enhance efficiency by adjusting your programmable or smart thermostat once and leaving it alone as much as possible. By owning a smart thermostat, or a conventional thermostat that you avoid adjusting frequently, it permits the system to cycle on and off like it should while providing a comfortable atmosphere all day long.
Keep Your Condenser Clean
Your condenser is constantly filtering out the air that flows in and out of your home. If you have a bad storm or any severe weather event, check your system’s condenser for damage after the weather has passed. Clear away any dirt, leaves, plants or branches that might have come up against it or gotten stuck to it during the storm. Also, keep in mind, no matter how the weather is, keep vines and plants from growing near it or on it. Maintain about a three foot radius around your exterior condenser.
Change Your Air Filters Regularly
Keeping your HVAC system clean improves efficiency, which prolongs the lifespan of your system. However, just as important as cleaning, if not more, replacing your system’s air filters regularly is essential if you want your system to remain healthy and efficient for years to come. With most HVAC systems, air filters are good for around 30 to 90 days. If you don’t change them after that, dust, pet fur, dander, and dirt can gather and obstruct the flow of air, which puts needless strain on your system. You can prevent this and ensure efficiency by replacing your air filters on a regular schedule. If you have reusable filters, you should be cleaning them as often as necessary.
Scheduled Maintenance Agreements
Signing up for a Scheduled Maintenance Agreement with Five Star Heating & Cooling Group has numerous advantages that benefit your home’s A/C and furnace in a variety of ways. An SMA is probably the best way to prolong the life of your system. Not only do our SMA’s keep your system’s warranty valid with each passing year, but they also cover annual servicing tuneups for both your AC and your furnace. In other words, if you have an SMA, one of our trusted technicians will inspect your system each spring and each fall to ensure your HVAC system operates efficiently year-round without any issues.
Although it might not look like your system needs work, this is often wrong. Furnaces and AC’s should be examined and serviced every season before the season is in full swing. It ensures they perform at their best, and there are no problems developing.
If you’d like more information about what all an SMA involves, call Five Star Heating & Cooling Group today at (614) 490-7550, or schedule an appointment online now.
