Whether you’ve noticed an issue with your HVAC system's performance or you’re just looking to keep it providing the top-tier results you’re used to, performing regular maintenance on your heating and cooling system is integral for maintaining your ideal indoor climate. While you may associate any level of HVAC knowledge with licensed professionals, there are some quick and easy servicing and cleaning tasks you can do yourself to optimize your comfort over the years.
What Kinds of Maintenance Tasks Should I Be Performing on My HVAC Equipment?
Keeping your HVAC system running at peak efficiency over the years may seem like a tall order, but doing small seasonal checks and maintenance is an easy way to minimize the likelihood of unnecessary complications that can lead to costly maintenance. Here’s the run-down of what you can do for your heating and cooling systems before the temperature drops:
Replace Air Filters
The air filtration in your HVAC system is the part that gets rid of air contaminants and allergens that can be found circulating through the air in your home. The unique needs of your home and your respiratory system should dictate what type of air filter you choose to replace the existing filter, though the dimensions should always match those listed in your owner’s manual to avoid any unnecessary complications.
In general, your air filter should be replaced (or cleaned for permanent fixtures) every 1 to 3 months depending on your environment and the lifespan of the filter you choose. With options that filter out pet dander, tobacco smoke, and many other miniscule pollutants, finding the right MERV rating air filter replacement for your home should be a top priority.
What is a MERV rating?
MERV rating is a classification for air filtration that assigns a numeric value based on the size of particulate matter that the filter can remove from the air. Generally speaking, the higher the air filter gets rated, the better it is at removing dust and other particles to safeguard both your system’s efficiency and your overall health. Be sure to check what types of allergens are removed by different ratings to give you the exact results you’ve always wanted.
Inspect Ductwork for Leaks and Clean Dust
The ducts throughout your home are designed to deliver well-conditioned, filtered air, but are you sure your system has been operating at full capacity? Before it’s time to switch on your furnace or swap your heat pump over to heating mode, take some time to look over your ductwork and clean any dust, dirt, mold, or mildew. You should also take this time to check for any leaks that could be tanking your efficiency before continuing into autumn and the frigid winter months.
Clear Debris from Outdoor Unit
Whether you’re about to switch off your air conditioner or just swap your heat pump over from cooling to heating mode, be sure to take some time to give your condenser a once over before the seasonal shift. Summertime storms can toss sticks, leaves, and all sorts of other hazards into the grill and other areas of the condenser, an unwanted hazard that could lead to permanent damage or even a full breakdown if left alone. Once any obvious debris has been removed, be sure to give your condenser a quick rinse down with the hose and get any caked dirt or mud off the unit before either covering the unit or changing it over to heat for the season.
Inspect Thermostat
Making sure that your thermostat is not only working on its own but in tandem with your heating system is vital before the hard-hitting chilly weather. Have a friend or family member stand by the thermostat and while you take post near your furnace or heat pump. Crank your heat all the way up and wait:
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If both make a sound to indicate they’re doing their job, you’re good to go!
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If the thermostat makes no noise, it’s probably time to change out the batteries
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If the thermostat makes a noise but the condenser doesn’t, it’s time to call in the big guns
Clear Vents & Registers
Summer brings its own range of allergens and contaminants into your home, but your home provides the dander, dust, and other particulate matter that can get stuck on or in your vents and registers. Give all the exits of your ductwork a good dusting, knock loose and vacuum out any debris, and be sure that you can feel the airflow at full strength when you kick on the air. Your HVAC system can only provide as effective of results as your system can produce, and that’s true from the start of the process to the very end.
Make Sure Your HVAC System is Ready to Go with IWAE
If you run into any questions or concerns while you’re giving your home’s HVAC equipment a seasonal refresh, there’s no reason to fret. Here at IWAE, we have customer service specialists always available to help answer your inquiries, calm your worries, and make sure that you have everything you need to keep your heating and cooling system up and running at peak efficiency for years to come. Shoot us a message or give us a call and we can get you paired with someone who will make sure you can run all the necessary checks and even help you find a licensed professional for additional services if you run into any snags along the way.
