Did you know that over half of the energy your household consumes each year goes to heating and cooling? Thus, the best way to conserve energy is to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system. And the best way to do that is through preventative maintenance.
Fortunately, this maintenance is neither difficult nor costly. In fact, you can do most of it by yourself without spending any money at all.
Altogether, HVAC maintenance plans save you much more than you’ll spend. For instance, minor repairs cost a lot less than the major problems they prevent.
Still, perhaps you aren’t sure how to take proper care of your HVAC. We can help with that.
Below is a complete, step-by-step HVAC maintenance plan for you to follow. Simply follow these steps to conserve energy and extend the life of your HVAC.
Self-Maintenance
The most important maintenance steps are the ones you take care of yourself. If you’ve never performed these maintenance steps, do them now.
Change Your Air Filter Regularly
As your HVAC system circulates air through your home, the air filter traps dust and other airborne particles. But once the filter is full to capacity, all it does is block the airflow. This decreases the efficiency of the system and wears it out faster.
You must change your air filter at least every 3 months. Though, if you use your AC or heater very often, you may need to change it every 30 days.
Keep the Outdoor Unit Clear
Over time, vines, trash, and other debris can work their way into your outdoor AC unit. Check the outdoor unit every once in a while to make sure it’s free of any debris that might block the fan blade. Whenever you need to remove this debris, shut the system off first.
Dust the Return Vents
Dust that collects on your return vents can also block the airflow. Look for the return vents on the walls and ceilings of your home. Every once in a while, sweep the dust off with a broom or duster.
Test Your HVAC System/Thermostat
Every spring and fall, test the various functions and settings of your thermostat to make sure they’re working. This way, you can take care of any problems you notice before the very hot and very cold months.
Professional Maintenance
To keep your system in good repair, you must sometimes get professional maintenance, too. Here are some situations in which you need to call a professional HVAC technician.
Get HVAC Repair When Needed
If you notice something wrong with your HVAC, don’t procrastinate. Call it in right away.
Get an Energy Audit
An energy audit is a free service provided by your electric company. They let you know how you can improve the energy efficiency of your home, including your HVAC. Call your electric company to schedule one.
Schedule Bi-Annual Maintenance
Every spring, call an HVAC technician to inspect/tune-up your AC. Do the same for your furnace each fall. This ensures your system’s in tip-top shape for the seasons when you need it the most.
Furthermore, you can save money by signing up for a professional maintenance plan. Learn more about this here.
Don’t Neglect These HVAC Maintenance Plans
To conserve energy and save lots of money, stay on top of these HVAC maintenance plans. Keep this checklist handy so that you don’t forget these steps.
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