It's getting hot in here! How to keep your HVAC unit in tip top condition

During those times of the year when it’s extremely hot or cold, even the most luxurious of homes can turn into an inhabitable space without a properly functioning heating and cooling system. In most homes and commercial premises, people rely on HVAC systems to keep the interior cool in summer and warm in winter. Some use a separate cooling system such as an air conditioner or a swamp cooler for the warmer months and a heat pump or heaters for the cold season. But the truth is that whichever you choose, these units need to be properly taken care of and maintained for them to take care of your home’s comfort. Starting with reasons why it is necessary, here are some tips on how to keep your HVAC unit in tip-top condition.

Why the condition of your HVAC unit matters

There are many reasons to take proper care of your HVAC unit and ensure it’s in top shape. Remember, it’s one of the biggest investments in your home or property, and you want it to last longer, providing you with comfort the way it is supposed to. Though it all revolves around comfort, costs, and convenience, here are some reasons why the condition of your heating and cooling system matters.

It affects your energy bills

When proper cleaning and maintenance of your HVAC unit is not observed, the unit ends up developing problems such as air filter clogging. Such problems, in turn, end up making the system to struggle and overwork to provide you with cool or warm air, which translates into ineffectiveness and higher energy consumption, thus increasing your energy bills. Taking measures to ensure your unit is in good shape can lower your monthly energy consumption and significantly reduce the amount you spend on electricity per month.

Comfort and convenience  

A neglected HVAC unit can impede on your comfort in a number of ways. If there are faulty parts whose repair has been postponed, for instance, the unit is highly likely to produce operational noise, which may even affect your sleep at night. Dirty air conditioning and ventilation units may also produce a foul odor along with low-quality indoor air that could be carrying allergens, pollutants, and other agents of disease. This is not to forget that if it’s not functioning properly or not functioning at all, indoor comfort could potentially be impossible. The last situation you want to get caught up in is an AC that breaks down in the middle of the night.

Repair costs

Delaying repair for a minor problem in your HVAC unit can be a disaster in the making. Some minor issues that could be corrected through simple tasks such as cleaning or lubricating some may escalate into problems that could cost thousands of dollars to fix. Keeping your HVAC unit in top shape can help prevent you from incurring high repair costs, which makes it important to talk to a local HVAC services provider as soon as you notice or suspect that your unit is behaving strangely. Don’t wait until it’s too late to fix it.

The unit’s lifetime

Last but not least, your HVAC’s lifetime will largely depend on how well it is taken care of. Without prompt repairs and regular maintenance, you could end up replacing it a few years earlier than it was supposed to last.

Tip to help keep your HVAC unit in great shape

Regularly replace or clean the air filters

As severally mentioned earlier, the functional integrity of your HVAC unit will largely depend on the condition of the air filters. Keeping them clean or replacing the worn-out air filters will prevent the buildup of debris and the consecutive restriction of airflow with clogging. It is actually recommended that air filters be changed at least once in every two months for most air conditioning units.

Clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly

This is also a task that you can do on your own to keep your HVAC unit functioning at its best. The main work of the condenser unit outdoors is to pull all hot air from your home and allow it to escape to the exterior. If, however, it is covered with foliage, plant overgrowth, dirt, clutter, and other types of debris, your unit may not be effective in keeping your home cool. Ensuring that this part is free from obstruction is a major step towards keeping your HVAC unit in tip-top shape.

Ductwork sealing and cleaning

Ductwork refers to the piping system through which cool or warm air is transferred in and out of your living space. However, it is not uncommon for this ductwork to develop leaks or clogs with time, which may affect the effectiveness of your HVAC unit. Dirty ductwork may also interfere with air quality. To ensure the smooth running of your HVAC system throughout the warmer months, you’ll want to call an experienced duct sealing and air duct cleaning service. These are tasks that you’ll hardly manage to handle on your own since a lot of expertise and specialized equipment is required.

Ensure routine HVAC maintenance

Even with all the above in check, it’s important to schedule a professional ac tune up at least once a year, especially in spring or before summer—to keep your unit running efficiently and reliably. The advantage of routine maintenance is that potential issues can be identified early by professionals and addressed before they turn into major breakdowns. Additionally, your tune-up and inspection service provider may offer valuable advice on improving energy efficiency and lowering your energy bills over time.

Don’t assume repairs

Needless to reiterate, repairs for HVAC problems should be addressed as soon as they’re noticed. In addition to giving you peace of mind that your AC is up and running smoothly, this can help prevent you from incurring hefty repair costs that are avoidable. It can also lengthen the lifespan of your HVAC unit and improve its energy-efficiency.  

In summary, HVAC systems require proper care and maintenance for them to serve you the best. Neglecting this can lead to a wide range of problems that have been discussed above. With the above tips, you now know why and how to keep your HVAC unit running smoothly.