As the winter season settles in and the year comes to a close, your home comfort is more important than ever before. Since you naturally rely on your HVAC system to keep you and your family safe and comfortable, it only makes sense to ensure it gets proper maintenance. Below, we’ll provide you with a simple end of the year maintenance routine that will help ensure your HVAC unit operates efficiently and safely moving forward.
Replace or Clean Air Filters
A great place to start your HVAC maintenance is at your air filter. We suggest pulling the filter out and holding it up to a light. Look through the filter. If you can see through it, then it’s still in good condition. If you can’t see through it, it’s time for a replacement.
If you or another member of your household suffers from severe allergies or asthma, you may want to consider a filter with a MERV rating between 11 and 13. These air filters offer the highest filtering capability for residential HVAC units. If you have a ductless mini-split system that relies on reusable filters, be sure to clean them thoroughly and dry them before reinstalling them.
Inspect Your Air Vents and Registers
Throughout the year, it’s common to move furniture and rugs around. Unfortunately, you may not always have your HVAC system in mind when you do. It can be helpful to walk around all the rooms of your home and inspect every supply and return vent or register. You want to move any items like furniture or rugs that are blocking the vent. It should have around three feet of open space to allow for optimal airflow in or out of the vent.
Check Your Furnace Area or Outdoor Condenser Unit
It’s a good idea to take a few moments and check the space around your furnace. If you notice any stored items pushed up against your furnace or excessive dust on the blower compartment, it’s important to take care of those problems. You want to keep the area around your furnace as clean as possible to promote optimal airflow and reduce the risk of overheating problems.
If you rely on a heat pump or a ductless mini-split system, it’s best to inspect your outdoor condenser unit. Remove any debris against the unit, like leaves or twigs. If you notice that any of the fins on the outside of your unit are bent in, it’s best to straighten them back into a horizontal position. This ensures adequate airflow for the unit and optimal system operating efficiency.
Check for Air Leaks
Air drafts throughout your home can significantly impact your indoor air temperature. During the winter months, any air leaks on your exterior walls can allow cold outside air to decrease the temperature inside your home. This will cause your heating system to work overtime to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. We highly recommend sealing up those air drafts with something like weatherstripping, caulking, or even spray foam.
Test Safety Equipment
One big part of your home safety is your safety devices, like your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. As part of your end-of-the-year HVAC maintenance, it’s important to test all these devices to ensure they’re working properly. We recommend putting fresh batteries in all your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
Be sure to hit the test button and make sure each unit is working appropriately. Be certain to check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher to confirm that it’s still valid. Make sure that it’s appropriately rated for type ABC or type C fires.
Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up Service
It’s typically recommended to schedule an HVAC tune-up in the spring and fall months. However, if you forgot to schedule maintenance in the fall, now is the perfect time to do it. It’s important to ensure the maintenance is done to maintain the warranty coverage on your heating system, so you’re not stuck paying out of pocket for defective components. This service is also necessary to ensure your heater is operating both safely and efficiently.
Reliable HVAC Maintenance Service
Air Therm offers reliable HVAC maintenance service for the Savannah, GA area. We can also assist with all your HVAC installation, replacement, and repair needs. Just phone our office today to schedule your next service appointment with one of our skilled technicians.
