Understanding HVAC Issues

How To Keep Your HVAC System Efficient

The efficiency of your HVAC system is subject to change over the years. That is, if you don't keep it maintained, certain components will lose efficiency and your utility bills will go up. There are a few simple things that you can do, as a homeowner, to keep your system as efficient as possible. This article explains some jobs that are simple and cheap, but also very effective and worthwhile. These tasks are simple and won't take up much time. However, they could save you a lot of time (and money) in the long run.

Change Your Air Filter

Changing your air filter is the most basic HVAC repair task. It can be done in a few minutes and air filters usually cost less than $40. Most air filters should be changed at least once a year. You can just pull your filter out and look at it to determine if it needs to be changed. If the white felt is stained brown from dust and dirt, you should change it immediately. If it still looks clean and bright, leave it be for a bit.

By just changing your filter once or twice a year you can improve the airflow of your furnace pump, reduce the circulation of allergens within your home, and generally have a cleaner HVAC system.

Maintain Your Condenser

The condenser (or AC) unit that is on the outside of your house is perhaps the most vulnerable component in the whole system. Since it is outside and exposed to the elements, it can get dirty and damaged, which can slow down your AC efficiency.

First of all, you should cover your condenser until whenever you aren't running your AC on a daily basis. You don't need to cover and uncover in on a daily basis during the summer. Just keep it covered in the offseason or when you won't be using your AC for a week or longer.

Also, you should regularly clean around the perimeter of the unit. Remove any dirt, leaves, and other debris that could get blown into the condenser fan. Then, use a hose vacuum to suck any leaves out of the main fan compartment. Some fans have bird guards that are too narrow for even the thinnest hose vacuum. If this is the case, you can just remove the guard by taking out the bolts with a power drill. Suck the debris out of the compartment and it could help to improve the efficiency of your AC.