Now that back-to-school time has arrived again, homeowners need to turn their attention to their home's HVAC needs. What can you do to make sure this time of year goes smoothly for your household? We suggest that you start with what we like to call the four C's:
CALL a Technician
You should be scheduling annual maintenance with your HVAC equipment to keep it running smoothly. An HVAC technician will be able to assess any problems and make adjustments that will improve its performance and extend its operational lifespan.
CHANGE the Air Filter
Next up, make sure that your air filter has been replaced, if needed. Air filters do a great job at keeping contaminants out of your home's air, but they get clogged up after just a few months, at most. They should be checked once a month and switched out if they're dirty.
CLEAN the Outdoor Unit
Your HVAC system's outdoor unit is likely to be clogged up a bit with dirt and debris, regardless of how much it's been used over the summer. You might want small things like twigs and leaves, but larger things such as bird nests are common, too. Start by removing whatever you can by hand. Next, grab a water hose and spray it down to get all the dirt and smaller items.
CHECK the Ductwork
Gaps, tears, and holes in your home's ductwork will negatively affect your HVAC system's efficiency by forcing it to work harder to achieve the same level of comfort. Most of the time, you can fix these problems by heading down to the local hardware store and picking up items to patch it up. In severe cases, though, replacement of the ductwork may be necessary. You may be able to do this job yourself, but we would suggest hiring a professional for the work.
For more expert advice on back-to-school maintenance or any other home comfort concerns, please contact the friendly professionals at Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical. We've been serving the HVAC needs of the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz since 1962.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).