Did You Know That on an Average, Americans Spend 93% of Their Life Indoors, According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
The EPA Even Go on to Say That Indoor Air Quality Is Responsible for Various Breathing and Skin Problems. the Pollution Level Increases 2 to 100 Times Inside the House Than the Outside.
So proper working and maintenance of your home’s HVAC system is an integral part of its functioning. Therefore, it is always a great idea to hire HVAC repair contractors to deal with any problems that you may face.
Preferably, the best time to schedule an HVAC service and maintenance is fall or spring. This is essential for a long and healthier life of the system.
Some things will need your immediate attention, while others can be looked at just once or twice a year.
You purchase an HVAC system for a comfortable room temperature all the year-round. But you also need to maintain it and care for it on a regular basis to ensure smooth functioning.
Here are 10 ways to prolong the life of your HVAC system and avoid its early breakdown.
- Debris and dirt in and around your HVAC system can restrict airflow. So clean the surrounding areas regularly.
- An unexpected system failure due to improper installation is quite possible as are wrong system settings. To ensure that the system is installed correctly and is functioning in the right settings.
- People think that the bigger the AC, the better it is. But that’s a myth! Contact a reliable HVAC service provider who can advise you on the correct size of the HVAC system.
- The ideal temperature for the HVAC system is 78 degrees during summer and 68 degrees during winter.
- Proper knowledge of the HVAC system can help you when it malfunctions. You may be able to troubleshoot until an HVAC service provider near you arrives to fix it.
- Stop the water supply to furnace humidifier in hot weathers. In winter, set the humid stat between 30% and 40% by turning the water supply on.
- To avoid strain on your HVAC system, set the registers above 20%.
- It is good to replace the batteries in the carbon monoxide detector once a year at least.
- Improper lubrication can increase the friction of moving parts, reducing the efficiency of your system. This can lead to it wearing out sooner than expected. So lubricate your system at frequent intervals.
- Clean the condensate drain line frequently to ensure that it is free from algae, fungus, dirt, and harmful bacteria.
#ProTip
Mix 1 cup bleach with 3 cups water and stir it well. Pour this solution directly into the condensate drain line to clean it.
All said and done, HVAC systems don’t last forever. They have a life expectancy of about 15-20 years.
So if your HVAC system is nearing that age, then you may want to consider purchasing a new system instead of repairing the old one.
Here are a few factors to consider when you’re looking for a new system.
- Per Sq. area to be heated/cooled
- The type of construction (concrete, wood or any other material)
- Amount of shade that your home receives
- The ideal indoor temperature you’re comfortable with
- Insulation provided to walls and ceilings
- Number of doors, windows and skylights
- Facing the direction of doors and windows
By considering the above points, you’ll be able to invest in a system that works efficiently all through the year.
HVAC is the respiratory system of your home. It keeps your furnaces and heating AC systems in place. Keep them clean and in smooth working condition at all times. Also, ensure that your air ducts are clean by changing filters once every 3 months or if they are dirty.
Dirty filters can affect the HVAC system in the following ways.
- Lead to system failure
- Build up of dirt and debris like pet hair, mold, dust and rodents infestation can reduce the efficiency
- Wastage of energy leads to longer electricity bills
By looking after your furnaces as well as heating AC systems, you can ensure that the HVAC systems are in a good condition.
Here’s what you need to look out for in both cases.
Furnaces
- The furnace flame can be a sign signifying the state of your system. If the flare is crisp blue, then it’s okay and in a good working state. But, if it is in the shades of orange and yellow, then you’ll need to call a professional furnace repair company.
- Check your safety as the first step. Any leakage or lose connection can lead to safety issues or decrease the efficiency.
- The older your furnace gets, it becomes more prone to breakdowns. If your furnace is older than 15 to 20 years and the repair costs you 15% more than buying a new furnace, then you should consider replacing it.
- An overworked furnace will cost you more in energy bills. If you begin seeing a significant increase in your bills, then get in touch with a local furnace repair company near you to install a new furnace.
- An inefficient furnace can result in some rooms being colder or warmer than others.
- An outdated duct system will lose its ability to distribute heat evenly throughout the house.
If you start experiencing any of the above, professional advice is certainly better than a DIY approach.
Heating AC Systems
It’s never easy to repair your heating AC systems, especially when winter is around the corner.
It’s worse when your heater has broken down, and you have to call for an emergency local HVAC repair service. This is because it will cost you even more.
Most homeowners ignore these signs of heating problems in their HVAC systems. But you shouldn’t!
- You are spending too much on heating, and the bills are costing you considerably more.
- No matter how high you turn up the thermostat; it’s still not warm enough for the entire house.
- When an AC short cycles, it’s not running long enough to complete a heating cycle, using a ton of energy every time it has to start and stop.
- If you notice flame discoloration, you should immediately turn off the furnace. The flame should always be blue. If not, it is a sign of debris or rust inside the burner.
Get a professional service near you to check your HVAC at least twice a year. They will check for faults with electrical supplies and motors.