If you think about it, your heating and cooling system endures a lot. It heats your home to various temperatures during the cold weather months and then switches to cooling your home when summer arrives. It’s important to keep your HVAC system in the best working order possible year after year, season after season. With just a little care and know-how from you, this can be done easily. Xenia Heating & Air, located in Xenia, Ohio, has come up with seven helpful tips to help keep your HVAC system working its best from one season to the next:
Ways to Maintain Your HVAC System During Season Change in Xenia, Ohio
Always Have a Clean Air Filter in Your Furnace
This is one of the easiest steps to caring for your HVAC system, and its importance cannot be stressed enough. Pick a specific day during the month and put a reminder on your calendar or your phone to check the air filter on that day each month while your furnace is in use. Also, put a clean filter in your furnace when you are ready to shut it off for the season. Keeping a clean air filter in your furnace at all times is one of the most effective ways to keep it in good working condition.
Use Special Air Filters if You Have Pets
If you have pets, it is a very good idea to use air filters that are created specifically for pet owners. These filters trap and hold pet hair and dander better than standard air filters.
Don’t Forget the Outdoor Unit
Before starting to use your air conditioner when summer arrives, clean the outdoor component and the area around it. Pick up trash, debris, sticks, etc, and remove any grass or weeds that have grown up around it. Remove anything that has gotten stuck in the grating of the unit such as leaves, paper, etc.
Purchase a Weatherproof Cover
Keep the unit clean and protected from the elements with a good quality weatherproof cover. These can be purchased at hardware and home improvement stores as well as many department stores.
Install a Programmable Thermostat in Your Home
A programmable thermostat lets you control the settings and temperature in your home from anywhere. As the seasons change, unexpected and often extreme weather changes can occur. A programmable thermostat allows you to make adjustments to the temperature in your home if you are away when these weather changes occur.
Don’t Neglect Vents and Utility Fans in Your Home
Cleaning vents and utility fans in areas like bathrooms and your kitchen will prevent dirt and debris buildup. These pollutants can get dislodged and become airborne inside your home. A good schedule that is easy to remember is to thoroughly clean these areas at the end of extreme weather seasons.
Call for a Professional Inspection and Cleaning
If you are located in Xenia, Ohio, or the surrounding area, contact Xenia Heating & Air to schedule a comprehensive professional inspection and thorough cleaning of your entire HVAC system. It is recommended to do this at least once per year. However, ideally, it should be done at the end of each season when your HVAC system has been in heavy use. Our fully trained HVAC specialists will perform a complete cleaning of your HVAC system including air ducts and vents, and the professional inspection will reveal any potential problems that may become worse as the season progresses. This will allow our technician to make repairs before they can become bigger problems.
Don’t Let Your Fuel Tank Run Low
Letting your heating system’s fuel tank get empty or nearly so can cause damage to the tank itself, and it can also cause problems for your HVAC system. Don’t just assume you will remember to call to have your tank refilled. Set up a scheduled delivery service with your fuel provider. The provider will arrange the schedule based on certain factors:
- The size of your house
- The size of your fuel tank
- Your location
- The temperature you generally keep your home heated too
- The weather
Scheduled refills of your heating fuel will help to keep your HVAC system working its best from season to season.
Use Your Home’s Humidifier Correctly
When winter is upon us and our furnaces are keeping our homes nice and toasty warm, they are also making the air extremely dry. Most people find a level between 30% to 35% to be the perfect level of humidity in their homes. By keeping the right amount of humidity in the air, you are providing healthy air for your family and you are also ensuring that your home’s furnishings, wood flooring, wood trim, even photographs hanging on the wall, will not be damaged by excessively dry air. When this happens, furniture and other household items can become cracked, split, and torn.
Wrapping It Up: Final Thoughts on Maintaining Your HVAC System During Season Change
You can do a lot to keep your heating and cooling system working its best by performing the simple steps listed here. Always keep a clean filter in your furnace. Protect the outdoor component of your HVAC system with a weatherproof cover. Install a programmable thermostat in your home. Clean vents and utility fans in your home at the beginning and end of each season. Have your heating fuel tank refilled regularly. Keep your home’s humidity at a healthy and comfortable level. Schedule a professional inspection and cleaning of your entire HVAC system, preferably twice per year.
If you are located in Xenia, Ohio, or the surrounding area, give the experts at Xenia Heating & Air a call and let us handle all of your HVAC needs. Call us at 937-708-8451 or visit us online and let us get you scheduled for your professional inspection and cleaning at your convenience. At Xenia Heating & Air our valued customers are always our top priority.