7 PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE TIPS
1. Change the furnace filter. Why is this tip number one? Simple: It’s easy to do and can have a big impact on the health of your HVAC system. A clean filter can reduce your energy usage by as much as 15 percent.
2. Clear the drainage hole. Air conditioners commonly have a drainage hole located at their cabinet’s base. The hole is commonly located beneath the evaporator fins. In order for your air conditioner to work efficiently, this hole must be kept clean. While the hole may be too small for you to clean out manually, a paper clip or small piece of wire works great.
3. Drying out your dehumidifier. Depending on the time of year, a dehumidifier can be invaluable. To be sure it’s working at maximum capacity, remove the outer casing and allow your system to dry out. Once the system is dry, vacuum the entire unit to remove excess dirt and debris before reassembling it.
4. Remove obstructions around your exterior system. Though the AC is located outside your home, you cannot afford to sacrifice your air conditioner to the environment. Inspect the unit at least once a month and remove loose vegetation or debris. Standing vegetation surrounding your air conditioner should not be allowed to grow within two feet of the unit. This clear zone allows your air conditioner to breathe in the air, it needs to control the temperature in your home.
5. Clean the bathroom fans. Your bathroom fans work hard all year and this is the perfect time to ensure the work they do is as efficient as possible. Remove the covers from your fans before washing them with soap and water. Just make sure the power is off before starting this task.
6. Add a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats allow you to program the temperature settings in your home so you can set your home to be warmer during periods when you’re away and more comfortable when you’re home. The system will also communicate with you and provide ways of saving even more energy and lowering your monthly bill. Follow its recommendations and you’ll get new tips that can help you save even more.
7. Schedule a tuneup. Once you’ve accomplished all the tasks above, it’s time to bring in the experts. Your local HVAC professional will be able to take a more detailed look at your system and identify problems you may have otherwise missed. Follow them around during their inspection and ask questions. You may just learn some insights that will be invaluable in your ongoing efforts to reduce your energy usage and total bill.
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