Residential Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Furnace, Air Conditioner, or Heat Pump Running Smoothly
You’re not alone if you go through most days without thinking about how your home’s heating and cooling systems are working. This equipment tends to go overlooked — until an issue pops up. But if you don’t maintain these systems regularly:
- You may sacrifice comfort (during an extreme weather event, for example, you want to know you can control your home environment).
- The costs to repair or replace are frequently higher.
- You may be spending more to heat and cool your home than you need to if your system operates at a lower efficiency.
Good news, however! By applying a little “homeowner 101” training and paying attention, your furnace and air conditioner (or heat pump) can provide your home with stable temperatures, healthier air, and lower energy bills. Here are a few tips to keep your equipment running smoothly throughout the year:
Listen for odd sounds coming from your equipment
One of the easiest things you can do is to listen for any odd sounds coming from your system, as anything out-of-the-ordinary sound could indicate something isn’t quite right. Listen for a buzzing, rattling, humming, or clanking sound, which might indicate something is wrong with your equipment. A rattling sound could mean something is loose or broken with the furnace, for example, while a buzzing noise could signal a refrigerant leak in the AC.
If you think something’s wrong with your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump (mini-split), contact Comfort Heating & Cooling — we’ll keep your system up and running at peak efficiency.
Routinely check and clean both your outdoor and indoor units
Dust, dirt, sticks, and pollen can build up on your outdoor systems and heat pumps, which negatively impacts how efficiently they will run. Routinely wiping vents and registers on your outdoor and indoor unit will prevent dirt from circulating through your living spaces. Double-check that furniture, rugs, or other office items don’t obstruct your vents. For outdoor units, you should ensure that the surrounding areas are free from leaves, debris, and plants for proper airflow.
Regularly check and replace your air filter
It’s always a great idea to consistently check the air filters and, ideally, have them replaced every three months or according to manufacturer recommendations. Dirt can accumulate quickly in the filters and move throughout the space, lowering the air quality. A dirty filter will make your heating and cooling system work harder than it needs to and may compromise your air quality.
Remember that filters should have a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) between 7 and 13. MERV ratings span from 1-16, with the lowest ratings “not adequately energy efficient” and the highest ratings “suitable for hospitals and other commercial applications.”
If you have pets in your home, you may need to change your air filters more often.
Schedule regular furnace and air conditioner tune-ups
- Airflow: Any obstructions will be removed, and the air filter inside the indoor unit will be cleaned or removed.
- Refrigerant: We will look for leaks in the lines, coils, and flair connections.
- Drainage: Drain lines are flushed and treated to prevent mold growth.
- Electrical: The wiring is inspected for wear that could cause ice to form on the coils.
- Compressors: We inspect and test the compressors, valves, and sensors that regulate the refrigerant.
- Inspect Coils: Coils are cleaned to remove debris and prevent mold and mildew from developing.
Seasonal maintenance is essential for your heating and cooling system because it helps ensure everything runs efficiently and effectively. This can help to lower energy costs and prolong the life of the equipment. Regular maintenance can help detect and prevent potential problems before they become significant issues, saving you money on repairs and replacements in the long run. This will help keep the air you and your family breathe cleaner.
Calibrate your thermostat every year
When done by a professional, you’ll ensure it reads the air temperatures correctly. If it is not working properly, you’ll get inconsistent reads from the thermostat and, as a result, uncomfortable or varying temperatures in your home. You can set it up once using a programmable thermostat and then forget about it.
Have you considered upgrading to a smart thermostat? Your thermostat will be able to recognize the patterns of when people are in the home and adjust the temperatures accordingly. It will know when no one is occupying the space and reduce the heat or air conditioning used. You’ll be able to control the temperature from anywhere in your home. This level of convenience is only possible with a smart thermostat, which lets you track energy use in real-time and help you save money in the long run.
Know when to replace your heating and cooling equipment
When deciding if you should upgrade your system, there are a few factors to consider. For example … its length of service, the area’s climate, and the equipment’s brand can all play a factor. On average, if your furnace or air conditioner is 15+ years old, it’s probably a good time to upgrade it. This can significantly reduce energy costs and set the home up for long-term success.