An air conditioning system and modern furnace will add immense value and comfort to your home. Just like any other electrical appliance, they both need to be well maintained to enhance their efficiency and longevity. Here are some pro tips from experts on how to maintain an air conditioning system and furnace.
Spend Money on Regular Maintenance Services
There is a number of professional HVAC and furnace repair experts who have the skills and expertise required to carry out diagnostic tests to determine the functionalism of the system as well as uncover hidden flaws. It is recommendable to seek these services before the summer season comes to an end to save time and money on repairs during winter.
Check the Thermostat
The main role of the thermostat is to automatically which off and on the system depending on the current temperature inside your home. For instance, if you set it to turn on the furnace when the temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it will do exactly that if it is functioning properly. If it is faulty, it will fail to switch the system on or off. Hence, it is important to ensure that the thermostat is correctly calibrated and working properly. Otherwise, your system will overwork leading to high electricity bills.
Check the Ducts
The air duct is a special tubing that helps to connect the HVAC to every room in your house. Overtime, dust and other forms of debris accumulates inside causing the system to overwork and use more energy to heat and cool the rooms. Based on this fact, it is recommendable to carry out maintenance checks periodically in order to get rid of debris and seal any leaks if any. Note that leaks lowers the overall efficiency of the system and prevent air from been properly distributed in the rooms.
Check the Seals
They are made from a delicate material that easily breaks when exposed to high moisture conditions. To seal the cracks, you can use a mastic tape or any other take that is durable and capable of withstanding fluctuating temperatures without shrinking. That said, all broken or faulty seals that are beyond repair should be replaced with new ones.
Ensure your Home is Properly Insulated
Spray foam is one of the best insulation materials that you can use to prevent loss of heat from your home. If there are hot spots inside your home during summer or feel cold drafts during winter, chances are that the insulation material is not in good shape. Hire an expert to check and improve the insulation to cut back your cooling bill.
Change/Clean the Filters
The primary role of the filters to protect the internal components of your furnace from dirt and debris. Accumulation of dirt on interior parts of the furnace will lower its efficiency and double your electricity bill. Hence, it is recommendable to clean the filters more often to get rid of the debris that is trapped on them. According to a study conducted by Energy.gov, replacing a faulty filter with a new one can reduce your energy consumption by up to 15%. They are very affordable but must be installed by an expert who has the required equipment and skills.
Clean the Furnace and HVAC
When cleaning other parts of your home, you need to spend time on your furnace and HVAC. As mentioned earlier, accumulation of dirt and other forms of debris can compromise their functionalism. Be sure to first switch and disconnect the systems from the main power socket to avoid being electrocuted. More importantly, you should not try to dissemble the system if you do not have the necessary skills, as a simple mistake can lead to a complete shutdown of the system.
Carrying out the above maintenance practices will definitely make your home more environmentally friendly and comfortable. If you discover the system is not working properly, go ahead and hire a professional HVAC or furnace repair company to get utmost value for your time and money.