HVAC MAINTENANCE AND EFFICIENCY GUIDE FOR NEW HOMEOWNERS

Congratulations on your new home! Maintaining your HVAC system will help you stay comfortable indoors all year round. If your last home was an apartment, you may not have a lot of experience maintaining an efficient and functional HVAC system. If you feel a little overwhelmed at the prospect of having and maintaining your own air conditioner and furnace, here's what you need to know.

Year-Round HVAC Maintenance

HVAC systems function best when they get periodic year-round maintenance. There are many things you can do to keep your HVAC system functioning properly.

Replace the Air Filter

HVAC systems come with an air filter to clean the air. The air filter helps improve the functionality of the HVAC system and can even improve indoor air quality. Air filters trap dirt, dander, and allergens and prevents these pollutants from circulating through the HVAC system.

Over time, air filters become dirty and need to be replaced. Your home's HVAC air filter should be replaced every 3 months, or when it starts to look dirty.

The air filter is often found in a slot near the air handler. If you can't find it, talk to an HVAC professional, or read the HVAC instruction manual, if the seller left you one.

Clean the Condenser

If your home has central air conditioning, the condenser is the part of the air conditioner that appears outside the house on a concrete slab. Condensers blow warm air from the home into the yard. When the condenser gets dirty, it must work harder to blow warm air out.

You can clean the condenser yourself. Cut power to the unit, then remove the top of the condenser. Use a shop vacuum to suck out dead leaves and debris, then spray the inside of the unit with a hose. If the coils seem grimy, use coil cleaner to clean them.

Maintain Your Carbon Monoxide Detector

Gas furnaces produce carbon monoxide. A furnace that works properly will produce an insignificant amount of carbon monoxide, while an inefficient furnace will produce a lot. To protect yourself and your family, keep a carbon monoxide detector in your home, near your furnace. Change the batteries every six months or as often as recommended by the manufacturer.

Get Annual Tune Ups

Sign up for a service plan to get your air conditioner and furnace tuned up once per year or every six months. During the tune up, your contractor will clean your furnace and air conditioner, check the functionality of each unit, and make recommendations for repair as needed.

Signs of HVAC Distress

Older HVAC systems break down from time to time. Before they break down, some will show signs of a problem. Common signs of HVAC distress include:

• Strange smells in the vents.
• Strange sounds when the unit is running.
• Uneven heating or cooling.
• The unit runs and runs but can't keep up with the home's climate control needs.

An HVAC unit that displays these problems needs attention from an HVAC contractor. If your unit is nearing the end of its service life, it may even need to be replaced. Furnaces last as long as 20 years, and air conditioners last up to about 15. If the HVAC system in your new house is already many years old, have it diagnosed by an HVAC contractor to find out how many more years you can expect it to last.

Improve Efficiency to Reduce Costs

Over time, HVAC systems will lose efficiency. This happens in part because natural wear and tear can slow down mechanical devices. However, there are many things that you can do to improve your HVAC efficiency. Doing these things helps you save money at times of year when temperatures outside are extreme.

Install Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping helps prevent air leaks that can force your HVAC system to work harder than necessary. Decide which of the many different types of weatherstripping will be most beneficial for your home. Inspect your home for drafts and cold spots, then install weatherstripping in the nearby doors and windows.

Program Your Thermostat

Program your thermostat to make your home slightly warmer or colder at night, when everyone is asleep. This will help you save money on your heating and cooling costs at a time when you're less aware of your personal comfort.

Work With Your HVAC Contractor

A good HVAC contractor will be able to help you decide what you can do to make your HVAC system more efficient. When your HVAC contractor comes in to give you a tune up, ask them what else can be done to keep your air conditioner and furnace functioning as it should.

Call Us Today

At Dick Kearsley Service Center, we're happy to answer your questions about how to operate and maintain your new HVAC system. Call us today to find out more.