Your HVAC system is an essential component of keeping your home comfortable. Unexpected repair costs to your heating and/or air conditioning units can be detrimental to your monthly budget. However, there are preventative maintenance steps that you can take to ensure that you have heat when it’s cold and cool air when it’s hot. Read more for six ideas to reduce costly HVAC repairs.
1. Replace your Filters
Your HVAC unit has filters that are an integral part of its operation. Filters are necessary to remove particles from the air. By filtering hair, dust, and other particles from the air, your HVAC system operates more efficiently. This reduces the strain that can be placed on HVAC systems while they are running, and your units will consume less energy. Also, effective filtering of the air improves the quality of the air that you and your family breathe.
2. Remove Debris from Outside Unit
Another component of routine HVAC maintenance that you can perform is checking your outside units. With rain, snow, wind, and other weather elements, your outside HVAC unit can accumulate leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and more. Each time you perform a yard clean up, check your HVAC unit. Weed, prune branches, and pick up any debris that has gathered. Your HVAC system will operate more efficiently, and you can reduce the need for repairs.
3. Keep Area Clean Around Indoor Vents
Similar to the tasks you should routinely perform outside, your indoor vents should also be regularly checked. You want to make sure that toys, furniture, or other clutter has not migrated to block your vents. If the air does not easily circulate through your vents, you are straining your system. Over time, this can damage your unit, which can require costly repairs. Blocked or partially obstructed vents will also consume more energy, which is also pricey.
4. Install Smart Thermostats
Utilizing new technology is another method to reduce system repairs. One benefit of a smart system is that you can adjust the temperature settings remotely, or some systems will adjust the settings based on the outside temperature. This feature can reduce the hours that your HVAC system operates, which improves its longevity. Additionally, smart controllers can notify you of issues with your HVAC’s operations. These alerts can let you make adjustments so that your unit does not need repairs.
5. Review your Bills
Each month when you receive a bill from your utility provider, you should review your HVAC system’s energy consumption. Check that any increases in your bill are due to running your system more or an increase in the cost of energy. Other increases can be an indication of efficiency issues with your HVAC system. Strains on your HVAC units can necessitate costly repairs.
6. Schedule Annual Maintenance
Contracting with a dependable HVAC company is important. You want to collaborate with a company that has trained technicians. Schedule two HVAC maintenance tune-ups annually. In the spring before the heat of the summer, have your air conditioner serviced. Then in the fall, call your qualified technicians to service your heating units. Both will reduce the likelihood of unexpected and costly repairs.
