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air conditioning heating

Heating and Air Conditioning – A Must For Comfortable Living

A hot house is definitely not a fun house. Thankfully, the days are gone where people have to suffer from their homes being too hot or too cold. With the invention of air conditioning and central heat, homes are a lot more comfortable.

To make sure that the heating and air conditioning work well, homeowners need to make sure that they take care of their system. An improperly cared for system can lead to breakdowns, rooms in the home being too hot or too cold, and more. There are several steps that homeowners can take to ensure that both the air conditioning system and the heating system work all year long.

Ensuring That The Air Conditioner Works Well

There are several steps that homeowners can take to ensure that their units work well. These include:

1. Air filter maintenance

The air filter on the air conditioner needs to be changed at least every couple of months. It is important to note that when purchasing a new furnace filter, that the right size is purchased. A person must never try to cut down a filter to make it fit. This may lead to air getting around the filter. If the furnace has a washable filter, this filter should be washed monthly to ensure that the air quality is excellent.

If there is an allergy sufferer, smokers, or asthma sufferers in the home, the filter should be changed and washed out more often. Changing the filter properly will help to ensure that the air quality in the home is great. Proper air quality will not only help the homeowner, but it will ensure that the unit works well.

2. Checking the Ductwork

Since the ductwork is found in the attic or under the house, most people do not think about inspecting the ductwork until there is a problem. It is important that people take a look at their ductwork periodically. Rodents and natural wear and tear can cause holes in the ductwork. This will cause leaks, which will allow air to escape. This can lead to rooms being too warm or cold and can cause unnecessary wear and tear on the HVAC unit. By periodically inspecting the ductwork, homeowners can ensure that it is working properly.

3. Checking Floor Registers

Floor registers allow air to come into your home while blocking the hole in your floor. It is important that the registers stay clear of debris and are not covered. If the registers are covered, this can cause air not to get into the rooms of the house. This may also cause an issue with static pressure in the unit. If the static pressure is too high in the unit, this can lead to breakdowns and expensive repairs.

A homeowner will want to go through their home to make sure that the registers are not covered. Registers should also be cleaned periodically. This is especially true if there are children in the home or pets. Things can get put down in the registers, causing airflow restriction. Registers can be vacuumed off and cleaned with warm soapy water. They should be allowed to dry fully before being placed back into the vents.

4. Add an Air Purification System

A homeowner should consider adding an air purification system to their home to help ensure that their HVAC unit functions well. Having purified air in the home will help to lessen the chance that any dust or debris will build up in the unit. Having an air purifier will also help to improve the air quality for anyone that is home.

5. Upgrading the System

An air conditioner is no longer energy efficient after it reaches ages ten or older. A homeowner will want to have the most energy-efficient unit available in order to save on energy bills each month. An inefficient air conditioner will struggle to cool the home in the warm summer months, so an upgrade will be necessary. If a homeowner has a machine that is older, the chances are that it may be running on Freon. If the unit is running on Freon, it will need to be replaced as Freon has been phased out of the market due to the environmental impacts it caused.

The Importance of Preventative Maintenance

One of the best things that homeowners can do when it comes to maintaining their heating and cooling system is to make sure that they have preventative maintenance done each year. It is best to do it twice a year. Once when the air conditioner will be turned on, and once when the heat is turned on. During preventative maintenance, an HVAC technician will check the following:

  • Components. During this maintenance, all of the components for the unit will be checked. If anything seems to have a problem, it will be addressed.
  • Electrical. The technician will inspect all the electrical components of the HVAC unit to ensure their functionality.
  • Thermostat. The thermostat will be inspected to make sure that it is working correctly.
  • Ductwork. The ductwork will be inspected to ensure that there are no air loss or airflow issues.
  • Cleaning. If the coils or the outdoor unit need to be cleaned, this will be done. This will help to ensure that no dust or debris damages the unit.
  • Charge. The unit will be inspected to make sure that it has enough refrigerant to cool the home. If not, more will be added to it.
  • Drain lines. Condensate drain lines will be inspected and cleaned to ensure proper drainage.
  • Repairs. If the technician notices any repairs, these will be done to help ensure that the problem does not worsen. Problems that are left untreated can become worse and become more expensive to repair.

Doing all the tips above will help to ensure that the air conditioning and heating unit works as it should. Anybody that is experiencing problems with their unit should call their local HVAC company for a repair as soon as possible. If maintenance has not been completed in a while, this should be done to ensure that the machine works well and lasts for many years.