Undoubtedly, we are privileged to experience the continuous comfort and relief our residential HVAC systems provide daily. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units (also known as HVAC) are complex pieces of machinery that greatly affect the health and wellbeing of your household. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance to practice preventive maintenance and know basic information about your HVAC systems that can aid you in making informed decisions if the need should ever suddenly arise.
Here are 5 basic points our experts at Chillicothe Heating & Cooling believe every homeowner should know about their residential HVAC system:
How Can You Help Your Residential HVAC System Run at Its Highest Capacity?
Is your HVAC system set up for success to run at its highest capacity? Here are a few tips & tricks you can use:
- Smart thermostats are a great option to optimize energy savings. Suppose you have an energy-efficient furnace and air conditioner. If this is the case, upgrading your thermostat to an energy-efficient one such as the Nest Learning Thermostat will be a great addition to your system.
- Make sure that your ductwork has no tears, rips, gaps, holes, or openings that will allow air to escape.
- Unusual sounds or unpleasant smells from your system are signs you should pay attention to. Neglecting these signals can result in minor issues manifesting into significant problems.
- If you have an attic or crawlspace with insulation, professionals recommend insulation layers need to be 10-14 inches thick. If you haven’t taken a good look at your insulation, it would be good to do so as soon as possible and call a professional if needed.
How Often Do You Change Your Air Filters?
Can you recall when the last was that you switched your air filters out for new ones? Our NATE-certified technicians say air filters should be changed every 30-60 days. With it being the middle of April, pollen and other allergens are in abundance. So if you haven’t changed them recently, you should change them as soon as you can. The last thing you want is a clogged air filter to cause your HVAC system to short cycle or cause any other issues.
How Frequently Do You Get Your Units Serviced?
Next, let’s move on to preventive maintenance. Perhaps you’ve heard the HVAC myth that seasonal maintenance isn’t necessary. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Practicing preventative maintenance and getting your units serviced for their seasonal tune-up & safety checks every spring and fall will make all the difference in prolonging the lifespan of your furnace and AC unit.
How Old Is Your Residential HVAC System?
Homeowners should know how old their HVAC system is. Of course, if you don’t already know the answer, don’t feel bad! Knowing this basic information about your HVAC system is helpful if you ever need to make an informed decision about either of your units. Keep in mind that your air conditioner and furnace may not be the same age, especially if you are not the first homeowner of your house. If you can’t find this information about either of your units, our friendly and knowledgeable technicians will be more than happy to help you figure this out for you during your next seasonal maintenance check.
How Is Knowing What Kind of Residential HVAC System You Have Beneficial?
Do you know what fuels your furnace? Does it run on gas or electricity? What type of air conditioning system do you have? Is it central air or forced air? It is essential to know these details as a homeowner. Don’t get yourself caught in a difficult situation if something happens with your system. Naturally, we hope nothing occurs, but knowing the type of units you have ahead of time, can help lessen your already accumulating stress if something were to occur.
Whether you are interested in upgrading your thermostat or need assistance with changing your air filters, Chillicothe Heating & Cooling is ready to serve you as your local and trusted heating and cooling service professional. We value our customers and aim for nothing but the best for you, your home, and your family! So don’t hesitate to reach out; call us at (740) 281-2186, or click here to schedule an appointment today!