4 Tips for Adulting: When and How to Maintain Your HVAC System
Adulting is hard. You have to manage the bills and cook healthy meals, and now your HVAC system is on the fritz. The cost of getting your HVAC back in shape can eat up your whole month’s budget, leaving little room for other necessities like food and gas. However, preventative maintenance helps keep your HVAC running smoothly so you don’t have to meal prep ramen noodles to pay for repairs. Read on to discover four fool-proof HVAC maintenance tips.
Schedule Seasonal Maintenance
Having your HVAC system professionally serviced before seasonal temperature changes can prevent costly repairs, increase your system’s efficiency and lower your energy bill. Seasonal maintenance includes tasks like cleaning, replacing filters and checking for potential problems. Consider signing up for a package that provides all the air conditioning maintenance services you need at one low price for year-round peace of mind.
Clean Air Ducts Yearly
Tucked out of sight in the ceiling, your air ducts probably don’t get much thought. However, ducts are an important part of your HVAC system and require regular maintenance just like the main unit. The best thing you can do to keep your ducts in good condition is to clean them at least once a year. You can do the dirty job of cleaning ducts yourself or hire a professional.
Replace Filters
One of the worst things you can do to your HVAC system is forgetting to change the filter on time. A dirty filter makes your system work much harder and shortens its lifespan. How often your filter needs replaced depends on the type of filter you use, so check the package instructions when you first put one in and make note of when it needs changed. You should also inspect your filter periodically and change it early if it looks dirty.
Use a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is convenient and lowers your energy bill, but did you know that it can also make HVAC maintenance easier? Many smart thermostats can alert you to potential problems like system malfunctions, power outages and efficiency losses. Smart thermostats also connect to an app on your phone, tablet or computer, so using one is easy.
Although a well-maintained HVAC won’t solve all your life problems, it can make adulting just a little bit easier. Now you can toss that dirty filter onto a month’s worth of pizza boxes and feel like you’re nailing this grown-up thing. At least the temperature is nice and comfortable.