To keep your home comfortable all year round, you will want to have both a heating and cooling system. They are great for creating a pleasant environment for your home, belongings, and family. To ensure that you can enjoy your heating and cooling systems for as long as possible, there are multiple maintenance tasks that you’ll want to take on.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
The first and most obvious maintenance task you’re going to have is to schedule professional maintenance service. Many HVAC system manufacturers require that a certified HVAC technician inspect your unit each year to maintain your warranty coverage. You want to have your cooling system serviced in the early spring months and your heating system serviced in the early fall.
Regular Filter Changes
In order for your HVAC system to function optimally, it needs to have a clean air filter. Whenever your filter gets dirty, it will start to restrict the airflow in your system and make it operate much less efficiently. You should make it a habit to check the state of your air filter every month. Be sure to have spare filters on hand and replace any of them that you can no longer see through.
Clear Vents
If you have a forced air heating or cooling system, then you have multiple vents attached to the ductwork that runs throughout the walls and floors of your home. Each room should have two vents, one being the supply vent and one being the return vent. Every one of these vents needs to be completely open in order for your system to function optimally. It’s a good idea every spring and fall to check all of them and move any sort of obstructions that are within a 3-foot radius.
Clear Your Outdoor Unit
An imperative part of any great home cooling system is the outdoor condenser unit. Because it’s exposed to the elements, it’s highly susceptible to having unwanted debris pushed up against it. When this happens, it restricts the condenser unit’s ability to release hot air to the outdoors. You should make it a priority at the beginning of every spring and after every major storm to clear any debris from your outdoor unit. Additionally, make sure that all greenery is at least 3 feet away from your unit.
Check Household Detectors
If your heating system runs on heating oil, propane, or natural gas, then it will create harmful exhaust fumes. While these are normally vented to the outdoors, problems with your system could cause them to build up inside. Having well-functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are a must. You should take the time in the fall to test every carbon monoxide and smoke detector and put in fresh batteries where necessary.
Seal Up Air Leaks
As the ground freezes and thaws out every year, your home settles further into the ground. This can, unfortunately, lead to air gaps developing on your exterior walls. As part of your HVAC maintenance, it’s a good idea to check around all your doors and windows to see if any new air gaps have developed. If so, you’ll want to use caulking, weather stripping, or another material to help block off those air leaks. This way, they don’t reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Order Fuel
If you have a fuel-burning heating system, then you may have a fuel tank at your home. In the early fall, it’s highly advisable to contact your fuel supplier to get your tank filled up. To ensure that you never run out during the winter season, you may want to consider setting up an automatic delivery service.
Program Your Thermostat
Another must-do maintenance task is programming your thermostat. If you don’t already have a smart thermostat, you should highly consider getting one, as it can help you save money on your utility bills throughout the year. Be sure to optimize your temperature settings for times when you’re not going to be at home so that you can reduce the overall run time of your HVAC system.
Expert HVAC Maintenance Service
Allegiance Heating & Cooling provides expert HVAC maintenance service to Mokena, Illinois and other Chicago-area communities. We can also help with all of your heating, heat pump, ductless mini-split, cooling, indoor air quality, home water filtration, and commercial needs. Call our office today to set up an appointment with one of our expert technicians.
