Did you know that when the seasons change, you should be doing a bit of home maintenance around the house?
This is especially true when it comes to HVAC maintenance. The weather and the changing seasons can cause various things to happen to your HVAC system, and you want to be prepared.
If you live in Denver, Colorado, here are a few tips to prepare for this coming fall and winter season.
Clean Your Vents and Replace the Filters
After the summer months are over, it is time to clean out your vents and replace the filters in your HVAC system. Dust and debris collect in the filter over the months, which then means it may circulate in the air causing allergies and irritants to also float around.
When you clean out the vents and change out the air filters, you will be getting rid of the dust and dirt inside of them.
Not only is this bad for your allergies, but it also makes the system less efficient overall. When there is too much debris in the HVAC unit, the system has to work harder to work. If it is working harder, you will be spending more money and possibly overworking the system.
By cleaning it all out, you will extend the lifespan of the HVAC system as a whole.
Additionally, the air filters should be replaced every 30 to 90 days to ensure they are in working order and clean to keep the air circulating in your house clean as well. To make sure you are keeping up-to-date with this, you can set calendar reminders on your phone when you replace them.
Clean the Outdoor Condenser Unit
Every season, you should make sure that the outdoor condenser unit is free of any type of debris like leaves or sticks. This can be a fire hazard and cause unwanted damage. You specifically want to make sure this is clear for fall and winter because the extra debris makes for a very comfortable home for squirrels and other critters.
As much as you need to remove debris from on or in the condenser unit, you should also clean around the unit. If there are any plants or weeds that have grown around it, you should remove those, especially if they are making direct contact with the unit.
Making sure that the outdoor condenser unit is clean and free of debris will ensure that your HVAC system is working properly and efficiently, which helps make it last longer and saves you money!
Reprogram the Theromstat
If you have a smart thermostat, the change of season into fall weather is a great time to reprogram the thermostat and the temperatures that you set it at.
If you are not home often, make sure you keep that in mind when programming the thermostat. In the colder months, you can keep the home cooler (with less heat) when you are not home. Additionally, when you are sleeping, you don’t need as much heat either.
By doing these adjustments, you will save money on your utility bills. By adjusting the temperature settings by 7-10 degrees for about 8 hours per day can reduce your utility bill by around 10%!
Clean the Condensation Drain Line
The purpose of the condensation drain line is to remove the moisture and condensation away from the indoors through piping. Without this, it would be necessarily humid indoors.
However, if the condensation drain line has a clog in it, there could be a water overflow and a backed-up drain line that causes more damage. That is why it is important to make sure that the condensation drain line is clear. Doing this during the change of seasons is a great way to keep up with routine maintenance that will benefit your systems.
When going into the fall season, you want to be especially thorough with your cleaning because of the humidity that summer has, which can cause mold and mildew in the lines. To thoroughly clean this, you can use a wet-dry vacuum as well as a mixture of vinegar and hot water to break up any clogs and remove the mold and mildew.
By making sure you routinely do these cleans, you will improve your indoor air quality.
Have an HVAC Maintenance Inspection
Whether or not you feel that everything is working right and there are no issues, it is always smart to get an HVAC inspection on your home during the change of seasons, especially in Denver, CO.
There may be certain things that you do not notice about your HVAC system that a professional would find. Additionally, you are going into a season that you haven’t been in for a while. This means that you probably haven’t used your heater much over the last few months.
To ensure it is in working order, a professional can look at the HVAC system and furnace in case there are any issues.
HVAC Maintenance Tips
When the seasons change, it is also a great time to go through routine HVAC maintenance and cleaning to be sure everything is working properly and efficiently.
By following these tips, you will be saving yourself money and a headache by fixing things that come up as well as making the system more efficient.
If you need the help of a professional for HVAC maintenance in Denver, you can contact us at Doctor Fix It Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric. We’ll do a thorough inspection and help you with any repairs that need to be done.
