My grandmother used to tell me that you needed to tie a string around your finger in order to not forget things as a child. No wonder I grew up to be a master at list-making. My Google calendar is my best friend and I never return library books late. However, to quote the wise scholar Ferris Bueller, “life moves pretty fast” and no matter how much we intend to get done in a week, it doesn’t always happen.
If you are like this you may be ok with letting a little office clutter build up here and there, but you can’t afford to take that attitude when it comes to your home and HVAC maintenance. Let’s face it. HVAC can be one of the most expensive areas of your home to fix once it’s fried; we have sadly had customers learn that the hard way. People realize that having a preventative maintenance plan is really important and will keep you from bruising your forehead on the wall while experiencing a wave of homeowner guilt. Hypothetically speaking, of course.)
So with no further ado, we give you, a simple, effective HVAC prevention plan designed to help minimize long-term damage and maximize the efficiency in your home.
ASAP
- Buy high-efficiency pleated air filters if you haven’t done so already. Keep a supply on hand or pre-order some online and have them scheduled for delivery, so you’ll always be ready when you need to change them out.
- Remove leaves, small branches pollen, and grass from exterior unit (the condenser). This should be done as often as possible.
- Ensure that you have 2 feet of space cleared around outdoor heat and AC units.
Monthly
- Inspect the AC refrigerant lines for any leaking or damage
- Inspect and change HVAC filters as needed. While some people may need to do it as often as once per month, that may not be necessary for you. It depends on how large your house and filters are, how many pets you have, if anyone in your family suffers from allergies, and so on. In short, if the filter is dirty, change it. Just don’t go beyond 90 days without a change.
Semi-Annually
- Have your AC checked and serviced by a professional
Annually – Spring
- Ensure your AC unit is on firm and level ground
- Clear
with a bleach/water mixture - Check your AC and ensure that it is blowing nice cool air from all registers
Annually – Summer
- Turn off the water to the furnace humidifier (if installed)
- Chill out ?
Annually – Fall
- Replace the furnace humidifier filter and turn on the water to the furnace humidifier (if applicable)
- Test the heating system – ensure it is blowing warm air from all registers Even in Florida you will want to be sure your heating system is working properly before you actually need it. This is very important because improper operation can even cause fire.
Annually – Winter
- Check and replace the battery in your carbon monoxide detector.
Do Heating and AC Maintenance the Easy Way!
Sign Up for our HVAC Maintenance Plan. We inspect your system bi-annually and take the headache above away by doing an AC Tune Up. You will have so much less to worry about.
While owning a home comes with a never-ending list of preventative maintenance chores, we hope this is simple enough to help you keep your HVAC system thriving. If you have your own tips, we’d love to hear about them. After all, my grandma also told me, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” I wonder if she was just born that wise… #wink
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