Living in Los Angeles County comes with its fair share of extreme weather conditions. From scorching summer days to cold winter nights, an effective HVAC system is essential for keeping your home comfortable. While temperatures can fluctuate drastically, homeowners need to remember that preventative maintenance should be done year-round to keep their systems running properly and efficiently. Regular service visits help extend the life of your HVAC unit and ensure optimal performance during hot or cold spells. Here are homeowner tips for maintaining and caring for your HVAC system regardless of the season.
1. Change Your Filters Regularly
In an HVAC system, filters trap dirt, dust, and other airborne particles that would otherwise make their way into your home. By regularly changing your air filters, you can help improve the efficiency of your system and avoid costly repairs down the road.
Changing the filter at least every three months or as often as needed is recommended depending on how much use it gets. In addition to changing, you should ensure the filter is properly sized for your system. An ill-fitting filter can decrease efficiency and even damage the system over time.
2. Schedule Annual Inspections
Like any other appliance in your home, having a professional HVAC technician inspect your system is the best way to ensure it’s running properly. During an annual inspection, technicians can detect any underlying issues that go unnoticed. They also clean and calibrate parts as needed, provide regular maintenance, and make repairs if necessary.
An annual inspection can help reduce utility bills by ensuring your system operates efficiently and effectively all year. That way, you don’t have to worry about wasted energy or costly repair bills down the line. A company like Temp Air System Inc. provides dependable HVAC inspection services for residents of Los Angeles County and the surrounding areas.
3. Keep Outdoor Components Clean
The air conditioning unit is usually located outside the house and should be inspected regularly for dirt buildup or other forms of debris, such as leaves, sticks, and branches. Not only can these things clog the system, but they can also lead to a decrease in efficiency.
Using a garden hose with mild soap, remove debris and dirt buildup from around the unit, and clear away any dirt near it. Doing this will help keep your air conditioning functioning at its best during summer.
4. Clean Vents and Ducts Regularly
Along with the outdoor unit, you’ll also want to ensure that your vents and ducts are dust-free and without other particles. This helps ensure that clean air is being circulated throughout your home regularly. These areas are easily cleansed using a vacuum cleaner with an appropriate attachment. When cleaning, check all the vents and ducts for any signs of mold or mildew, which can lead to poor air quality.
5. Check Your Thermostat Settings
The thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature in your home and should be checked regularly to ensure that it works properly. You should also check that the settings are accurate and up to date so your system can run efficiently and effectively throughout the year.
If you have an older thermostat, consider upgrading to a more modern model with programmable settings. This allows you to set different temperatures depending on the time of day and helps reduce energy costs when the house is empty.
6. Monitor Refrigerant Levels
Your system’s refrigerant levels should be monitored regularly since these are responsible for cooling down your home in the summer months. An issue with your refrigerant can lead to higher utility bills or even damage to the system if left unchecked.
That’s why it’s important to ensure that all levels are optimal and that any necessary repairs or services are done promptly. The best way to do this is by having a professional technician inspect your system annually.
7. Insulate Ducts and Pipes
Insulating ducts and pipes can help ensure your system runs properly during cold weather spells. Insulation helps reduce energy loss, leading to higher utility bills if left unchecked.
If you live in an older home, consider having a professional perform an insulation audit to ensure everything is sealed and properly insulated. This can help reduce energy costs and also keep your system running smoothly during the winter months.
8. Seal Air Leaks Around Doors and Windows
If not properly sealed, air can escape through doors and windows, increasing energy costs. That’s why it’s important to check the seals around these areas of your home and make sure that they are properly sealed.
Using weatherstripping or caulking can help ensure that there are no gaps or holes in the seal. This will keep warm air from escaping during the winter months and cool air from escaping during the summer months.
9. Have Your Compressor Checked Regularly
Compressors help regulate air pressure in your HVAC system and should be inspected regularly. With a faulty compressor, a homeowner may miss out on important system functions, such as air conditioning or heating.
When checking your compressor, make sure to look for any signs of wear and tear, as well as check the oil levels. However, it’s best to leave such inspections to a professional HVAC technician to avoid further damage or injury.
10. Clean Condenser Coils and Fans
Without the condenser coils and fans, your air conditioning system would not be able to cool the air in your home. That’s why it is important to keep these components clean.
Using a soft brush, gently remove any dust and debris from the coils and fans of your unit. In other instances, you may need to use a fin comb to straighten out any bent fins, or hire a professional HVAC technician for a thorough cleaning.
11. Make Sure Air Returns Are Open and Unobstructed
Air return vents are responsible for circulating the air in your home and should never be blocked or obstructed. If they are, it can lead to poor air quality and decreased efficiency of the system as a whole.
Inspect these areas regularly, and if needed, remove any furnishings that may be blocking them. Doing this will ensure your system remains efficient when cooling or heating your home.
12. Set Your HVAC System at a Reasonable Temperature
When setting your thermostat, keep it at an optimal temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold. Setting it too high can lead to unnecessary energy costs whereas setting it too low may cause the system to overwork itself and damage other components.
It’s best to set the thermostat as close as possible to the outdoor temperature so your system doesn’t have to work as hard to cool or heat your home. This way, you can increase your HVAC system’s lifespan.
By following these 12 HVAC maintenance tips, you can help ensure your LA County home is safe and comfortable all year round. From cleaning out vents and ducts to monitoring refrigerant levels, these tips will help keep your system running at its best and reduce energy costs in the long run. It’s also important to remember that a professional technician should do regular maintenance to ensure that all components are working properly and efficiently. Doing this can help you save money on costly repairs or replacement parts and extend your system’s lifespan.
At Temp Air System Inc., we provide HVAC repair, installations, and maintenance, as well as air duct cleaning, among other services. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
