Common Mistakes That Homeowners Make With Their HVAC Systems
Owning a home carries with it a lot of responsibilities. Repairs and maintenance are key practices that come with caring for a home. Maintenance of the home's critical components helps increase the longevity of many parts of the home that would otherwise require high repair bills. The heating and air conditioning system in a home is a system that can be expensive to repair and costly to operate if it isn't allowed to run efficiently.
For homeowners, getting better at caring for their HVAC system through proper maintenance will lower their bills over time and make costly breakdowns a thing of the past.
Not Caring for the Air Filter
The single most important step in HVAC maintenance for homeowners is changing the filter and selecting the proper kind. The AC filter not only helps reduce indoor air contamination but also prevents dust and grime from building up on the sensitive internal components of an air conditioner or furnace.
Homeowners should change most filters quarterly to keep them from clogging, but when trying to decide the level of filtration needed and the frequency of filter changes, homeowners should take into account:
- Outdoor Environment: Rural environments tend to be dustier, and dry summer months tend to pollute indoor air more than humid and wet months.
- Presence of Pets: If the house is home to cats or dogs, filters may need to be changed as often as monthly.
- Age of Home: Old homes tend to be dustier due to poor encapsulation at low ventilation.
- Health of Occupants: Households with allergies or asthma will want to keep their environment cleaner by selecting better air filters and changing them more often.
Disregarding Inspections and Tune-ups
Inspections and tune-ups are key parts of HVAC maintenance. Not only will HVAC maintenance from a qualified technician preserve the warranty on the equipment, but it will also allow the equipment to perform its best and make it less likely to break down.
Some of the benefits of routine HVAC maintenance are:
- Lower operating cost
- Cleaner indoor air
- Quieter operation
- Increased indoor comfort
- Longevity
Not Using Professional Maintenance Services
In a world of DIY projects, it can be tempting for homeowners to tackle some maintenance aspects. However, this is not advised. Professional maintenance services can perform maintenance more quickly and to a higher degree of performance than someone trying to do it independently. If homeowners attempt to repair their unit, they will nullify any warranties and earn the ire of the professional they hire to bail them out.
HVAC maintenance requires special tools and the training to use them. Some aspects of HVAC maintenance are even illegal to perform unless special licenses and insurance requirements are met.
The easiest and safest option for homeowners is to look for an HVAC maintenance contractor that offers a membership plan. Membership plans usually offer discounts on service, priority scheduling, and preventative maintenance for a low monthly cost.
About Sunset Heating & Cooling
Sunset Heating & Cooling has been providing the Portland area with service for nearly a century. They have A+ rated service and they offer their services with upfront flat-rate pricing. Contact them to schedule HVAC maintenance today!
