Congratulations on becoming a new homeowner! Perhaps this is your first time owning a home, or maybe you’ve been in this boat before; either way, it’s important to be familiar with your new home’s HVAC system. This will allow you to perform the preventative maintenance the HVAC system needs. Here are some tips for keeping your air clean and your “new” AC unit working in top shape.
- Knowing your HVAC system
How exactly is your home being heated and cooled? Once you know this, find out what type of fuel it uses, i.e. electricity, oil, propane or natural gas. Other things to know include:
- Age of your HVAC system
- Efficiency rating
- Warranty
- Maintenance inspection results from previous owner
- Keep air filters clean
This is the simplest and most effective way to keep your HVAC unit in top shape. The frequency can range between one and six months.
- Keep the area around the unit clean
Debris in or near your AC unit can clog the filter and cause serious damage to the machine. Make sure leaves, dirt and any yard debris are kept away from your unit. Any foliage should be about three feet away from the unit. During the off-season take extra precaution by covering the unit.
- Don’t close your vents
Closing your vents as a way to save money on heating and cooling costs is a myth. This action will actually increase your energy costs because your system has to work harder to maintain the comfort levels of your home.
- Pay attention to ductwork
If your home seems abnormally dusty, has uneven temperatures, and your energy bills seem unusually high, you should hire an expert to clean and inspect your ductwork. Leaks in ductwork negatively affect your HVAC system’s performance.
- Get annual HVAC maintenance
A yearly tune-up will keep your system in optimal condition and alert you to small problems before they get out of hand. Spring and Fall are the best times for annual HVAC maintenance, before the weather becomes too hot or cold.
Call W.G. Speeks Today
If you need HVAC service and repairs, call us today at 804.776.5770 and see why W.G. Speeks has been the reliable Richmond, VA heating and air conditioning experts since 1943.
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3 comments
Luke Smith
March 3, 2017 at 12:08 am
Thanks for the tip to look out for the efficiency rating of an AC unit. I would imagine that if you are planning to buy a new one you would want to be sure to upgrade to a unit with a higher rating so you could save some money on electricity. It would make sense to me that having a unit professionally servciced would be another way to boost its efficiency
Derek Mcdoogle
April 5, 2017 at 10:32 pm
In your article, you stated that a yearly tune-up will keep your system in optimal condition and alert you to small problems before they get out of hand and spring and Fall are the best times for annual HVAC maintenance before the weather becomes too hot or cold. My cousin called me last night because the furnace in his new house started making some really loud noises and he didn’t know what was wrong. I wonder if there are certain types of HVAC units that might need maintenance more often.
Burt Silver
April 10, 2017 at 2:26 pm
Thanks for the HVAC tips. My wife and I just moved into our new home, and we are both unfamiliar with our HVAC system. Thanks for mentioning to never close your vents. I didn’t realize it would actually increase your energy costs because your system will be working harder. I will keep that in mind.
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