Maintenance Tips & Energy-Saving Suggestions

Keeping your heating and cooling systems in good working order means your utility bills will be lower, your home will be more comfortable, and you’ll need to call for repairs less often.  The filters in your system are meant to filter the dust and debris out the air going into your HVAC system.  When the filters become too dirty, they restrict the airflow and prevent your system from being able to operate properly, which can lead to expensive repairs.  What can you do to maintain your HVAC systems throughout the year? 

• Schedule a maintenance service call before the heating season starts. If there are any problems with your system, it’s better to find out before it’s freezing outside! Do the same for your cooling system before the sweltering season begins.
• Replace your heating and cooling air filters every month that they’re in use. Operating your system with old dirty filters means energy wasted and your system may even be damaged. (Use good quality filters, we recommend MERV 8 up to 10, pleated filters.)  Too high of MERV rating may be too restrictive for your system, contact a professional to determine the best filters for your system.
• Don’t keep clutter near your furnace. It’s a fire hazard and may keep your system from operating efficiently.
• To make sure you’re getting the most out of your heating system, keep the heating registers and vents throughout the house free of dust, dirt and pet hair by vacuuming them at least once a year.
• Listen for odd sounds when your heating or cooling system kicks on. If you hear anything unusual, get in touch with your service professional so you can head off problems before they become serious.
• While you are changing your filters, check and clean any special filter systems and humidifiers.
• Do not run your system without a filter. Lack of an air filter or when the filter is so dirty that it sucks up into the machine, will allow dust to collect on the evaporator coil creating restrictions in air flow and can cause many other costly problems.