HVAC Maintenance: Our Top Energy-Saving Tips for Households

Anything you use frequently would break down without regular maintenance and upkeep. From your car to your clothes, you need to check anything you regularly use for issues. The same is true for appliances like your HVAC system. Here are a few things to remember so you can keep your heater and AC in top shape.

Check your filters every month

Maintenance and HVAC servicing is necessary for homes with pets and young children; dirty filters let airborne irritants to circulate in the air. Breathing these pollutants can cause allergic reactions, so you should make it a point to clean or replace your filters. 

What’s more, dirty or clogged filters can ramp up your home’s energy consumption. It causes your HVAC to work harder, which means higher bills and an overburdened system. To remedy this, you could purchase higher-efficiency pleated filters or clean your current ones more frequently.

Clean the HVAC coils regularly

Aside from the filter, your HVAC’s coils also contribute to the system running as reliably and effectively as possible. When the coils function well, they can lower your home’s heating and cooling costs without sacrificing air quality. With clean, functional coils, your HVAC system will provide better airflow. When the coils are dirty, they aren’t as efficient at cooling, which means your energy bills will increase. 

Keep the HVAC free from debris

Your system can also suffer if you allow debris to collect on your HVAC unit. Like dust on the coils and filters, debris can reduce the airflow, which brings down your system’s capacity.

Inspect your unit regularly for grass clippings, twigs, leaves, and pollen stuck in the vents or the condenser. If you’re cleaning your HVAC unit, be sure to wear protective gloves and eye gear. Also, take a water hose with a sprayer and an air conditioner coil cleaner with you. If you want to be sure about the cleaning, it’s best to contact an HVAC service team for your heater and AC maintenance. Beyond clearing the debris, they can tell you if other issues are affecting your system.

If you’d rather clean the unit yourself, make sure you turn off the unit. Then, spray the debris on the external areas using a water hose, and spray the outside with the coil cleaner. It takes about 15 minutes for the dirt to bond with the foam, so wait a while before rinsing it off. If 

It would help if you cleared the area around the system as well. Clip the shrubs and plants near the unit; overgrown shrubs can block the airflow and cause your appliance to perform poorly.

Ensure proper airflow

The first three tips, arguably, all boil down to this fourth one. The best way to ensure your HVAC’s longevity is by ensuring proper airflow. Clean your HVAC unit’s registers and vents; doing this can aid in circulation.

You can also use a homemade declogging solution for your unit. Pour a cup of equal parts water and bleach down the condensate drain of your AC. Doing this washes away algae and prevents mold buildup. Do this twice a year, and you won’t have problems with spores.

Conclusion

Taking care of your HVAC system helps extend its life and prevents the spread of airborne pollutants in your home. Cleaning your unit regularly and clearing debris will also make your system more energy-efficient, letting you cut down on heating and cooling costs.

For premium heating and air conditioning repairs, contact Cool Kings. We are a locally-owned, family-operated HVAC service in Austin, TX, providing honest and reliable service to the Greater Austin area. Schedule an appointment today to learn more!