Happy New Year! Can you believe that a whole new decade is beginning? This is a great time to look at all of the different ways to transform your life and make a fresh start. While you’re reevaluating your diet and signing up for a new gym membership, why not take a look around your house. Should you add any HVAC New Year’s Resolutions to your to-do list?
We depend on our heating and cooling systems year round in Virginia. The summers can be hot and humid while the winters can get surprisingly cold. Having a well-running unit can make a huge difference to your comfort level, health, and budget. Here are some things we suggest considering for your 2020 HVAC New Year’s Resolutions checklist!
Change Your Air Filters Regularly
Every day, your air filter performs a very important job in your home. It traps all of the dust, allergens, and other particles to keep the air clean and fresh. We often overlook how crucial it is to replace air filters regularly, but as a resolution, this should be high on the list.
It’s such an inexpensive and easy thing to do, so try to commit to changing your air filter every 30-60 days or even more if pets or people with asthma and allergies live in your home.
Save Money & Energy With Zoned Areas
Chances are, you aren’t using every square foot of your home every day — so why are you paying to heat and cool it? A very practical solution is to add zones to your HVAC system. For example, if you live in a multilevel home, you could make each floor a zone.
By doing this, you can ensure that only the areas that need heating or cooling are receiving it. This can save energy and prevent your HVAC system from overworking, which can lower your monthly utility bill and the risk of breakdowns.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Much like you aren’t using every room in your home, you probably don’t need to maintain the exact same temperature all day either. When you’re away for work or school or go to bed at night, the settings can be adjusted to be more efficient.
While you can try to do this manually, it may not always be convenient to do so, and you’re bound to forget occasionally! A programmable thermostat allows you to create a schedule that is automatically carried out for you.
Declutter Your Home
A cluttered, messy home is much harder on your HVAC system than one that is clean and tidy. There are several reasons for this. One is that clutter can block the registers to your ventilation system, making it harder for air to flow. Additionally, dirt, dust, and debris will build up more quickly inside your air filters and ducts if you aren’t cleaning regularly.
For your 2020 HVAC New Year’s Resolution, consider sorting through each room and donating or discarding anything you don’t need or use. Then, come up with a weekly cleaning routine to stay on track.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
Whether you live with chronic medical issues or not, improving indoor air quality is important. In fact, it’s even more necessary if there are small children, elderly persons, or pets living in the home. When the air inside your home isn’t good, it can impact your health and sense of well-being.
Making small changes, such as dusting and cleaning the floors more often, decluttering, changing air filters frequently, and having your air ducts cleaned can have a huge impact.
Address Leaks & Insulation Problems
Is there a drafty room in your house? Have you noticed that one area just doesn’t warm up as well as others? Do you have an uninsulated attic, basement, or addition? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to address those issues right away.
Monthly energy bills are soaring these days, so you should avoid letting any of that precious heated or cooled air escape through leaks or poorly insulated rooms. It is an investment, but one that’s worth it in the long run.
Keep Track of Issues
When was your last furnace tune up — three or four (or six!) months ago? Was the weatherstripping replaced last year or the year before? How long as it been since you first noticed that weird smell when the heat turns on? How long have you suspected that your heat pump is on its last legs?
As a responsible homeowner, it’s essential that you keep track of these things. Maintaining a home and HVAC system takes work, and you can make it easier on yourself by dedicating a notebook or digital spreadsheet to making notes about repairs, concerns, and maintenance.
Don’t Ignore Warning Signs
We all have a tendency of hoping a lingering problem will disappear so that we won’t have to deal with it. HVAC repairs are expensive, so it’s understandable that you might ignore warning signs that something isn’t right in the hopes that it might just go away.
Unfortunately, we often see homeowners facing big problems and costly emergency repairs because they waited too long. So often, when you address an issue promptly, it can be resolved quickly and affordably. Make a commitment to being proactive this year.
Upgrade Your HVAC System
There are many reasons why you might consider upgrading or replacing your HVAC system this year. If it’s more than 10 years old, for example, chances are it’s become inefficient and you could save money by installing a new one. Also, if your heating and cooling unit is breaking down often, it might be time to make some changes.
If you’re going to spend the money to update your HVAC system, do extensive research to ensure that you’re getting the size and type that works best for your personal needs. Speaking to the qualified professionals at W.G. Speeks can help you determine what you need, and what you don’t.
Schedule Annual Maintenance
Finally, our last recommendation for your HVAC New Year’s Resolutions checklist is that you commit to annual maintenance. Schedule your appointments in advance and then let the experts do the rest. Not only will they carry out the necessary cleaning, but they can identify potential problems and perform any necessary repairs.
W.G. Speeks offers a free consultation and excellent customer service. Our NATE-certified technicians will care for your home and offer guidance along the way. We’ve been proudly serving the Greater Richmond Region for more than 75 years. Call us today and let us help you make 2020 your best heating and cooling year yet!
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