HVAC Maintenance Tips For Homeowners
There are few systems in a home that are more complicated than the HVAC system. Not surprisingly, the HVAC unit and other components will be among the most essential in the building as they can keep it comfortable to occupy. This importance can lead to homeowners needing to take steps to protect their HVAC system from potential sources of damage and malfunctions.
Take Steps To Reduce Dust In The Home
Having large amounts of dust in the interior of the home can significantly increase the problems that the HVAC system can experience. When the dust in the home is allowed to accumulate, it will eventually work its way into the ducting and other components of the system. While the system will have an air filter that can eliminate much of this dust before it enters the system, the filter can be overwhelmed.
Listen To The Unit Running
When an HVAC system is on the verge of suffering a major breakdown, it is likely to start making unusual sounds. These sounds can alert the homeowner to potential problems that must be repaired, but this will only be the case if the homeowner is regularly listening to the sounds their HVAC system makes when it is running. Otherwise, they will simply be unaware of what the unit should sound like when it is operating correctly. Once you notice that the unit is making unusual sounds, it should be turned off until repairs are made so that you can reduce the risk of major damage or catastrophic failures occurring as they could force you to spend far more on repairs. Keeping an emergency heater or portable air conditioner available for these situations can allow you to turn off the system until repairs are made without compromising the comfort of those in your home.
Consider Covering Your HVAC Units
It is common for HVAC systems to go for long periods of time without being used. For example, homeowners are unlikely to need to use their air conditioning when it is winter, and they may not need the heater at all during the spring and summer. If you have separate heating and cooling units, it can be beneficial to cover the one that is currently out of season. By covering the unit, you can limit the ability of dust to gather on it while also keeping pests and moisture damage to a minimum. Make sure to remove the cover before reactivating the unit or you may cause it to burnout and fail due to a lack of airflow.
For more information, contact an HVAC contractor in your area.