The warm summer months come with an increased number of outdoor fun activities coupled with yard work.
The blooming of flowers and trees and yard work results in an increased level of pollutants ranging from dust to pollen.
With the upcoming cooler months of Fall and freezing temperatures of winter later in the year, having a properly functioning HVAC can provide a conducive indoor atmosphere with minimal heating interruptions.
This article gives an outline for HVAC upkeep tips that lead you to a smooth uninterrupted indoor heating during the cool fall and freezing winter ahead.
Evaluate Air Filters
Examining your HVAC system in NJ
Grimy air filters hamper the seamless airflow, forcing your equipment to operate harder and less efficiently. Due to increased levels of pollutants in the aftermath of the blooming season of summer, the filters are deemed to get filthy with all manner of contaminants. Remove them to inspect for filth, then clean or replace them accordingly. To continue enjoying clean and healthy indoor air, consider cleaning them often and replacing them every three months.
Troubleshoot Thermostat Malfunctions
Among the majority of FAQs associated with HVAC is what to do with faulty thermostat settings. While thermostat malfunctions could be a result of anything like kids tampering with remote control, they are always reversible mishaps. The wrong thermostat reading can deny you clean and comfortable indoor air so be sure to correct this by adjusting it to your desired temperatures. Alternatively, you can install a smart or programmable HVAC thermostat that adjusts itself depending on indoor temperature variations.
Organize for Professional Upkeep
Among all HVAC upkeep tips, nothing beats a professional inspection. This is mainly because issues that you may have missed during amateur troubleshooting will never escape a professional’s eye for detail. This means issues, however small, will be detected and addressed before they transition to serious heating and cooling problems.
Evaluate Your Home’s Insulation
Lack of clean, healthy, and comfortable indoor air sometimes has nothing to do with the equipment itself. While your equipment could be operating optimally to provide comfortable indoor living conditions, cracks and spaces could be losing or allowing uncomfortable air into or out of the house. To prevent this, evaluate your insulation by repairing and replacing weatherstripping and installing double or triple-glazed windows and doors with low-E coating, which cuts energy loss through drafts and air leaks.
Outdoor Unit Cleaning
The outdoor unit, being out in the open, takes the majority of the beating from New Jersey’s varied climate and contaminants that dominate the preceding summer season. Going into fall and later winter, the last thing you want is a malfunctioning HVAC. Check the condition of the unit and remove debris like leaves, vegetation overgrowth, and earth buildup around it.
Evaluate the Condition of the Ductwork
Leaky or grimy ducts can affect the quality of air that your equipment produces. Since you lack the technical skills of cleaning or repairing these, you are better off with a professional intervention. However, for small visible sealing needs, you do the repairs; only then will you have to deal with lots of contaminants that might aggravate underlying respiratory issues or cause allergies.
Consider a Furnace Upgrade
Some HVAC issues do not need any intervention; they may call for an overhaul of the entire system, especially if it has experienced frequent repairs or its age surpasses 15 years. A piece of very aged equipment will not only provide you with an unhealthy, unclean, and uncomfortable indoor atmosphere during the cool and cold months ahead; but it will also drain your financial capacity from unnecessary frequent repairs.
Dehumidifier Adjustments
An HVAC breathing cool or warm air in a hot and cold indoor atmosphere is not enough; the air has to have an optimum humidity level for comfortable breathing. If the air is too dry such that you have a hard time breathing, consider adjusting your dehumidifier settings, clean it often, and consider a replacement if it is constantly being repaired.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors Testing
For gas-run HVACs, carbon dioxide detectors come in handy in detecting gas leaks, which in turn signal system malfunctions. Since you do not need interruptions or inconveniences in the most critical months ahead, replace the batteries and test for optimum workability. Carbon dioxide leak, besides being a sign of a faulty system, is dangerous for your health and safety.
By faithfully following these HVAC upkeep tips, you can help ensure yours is operating efficiently and reliably throughout the fall and winter seasons. For any task with which you feel unsure or uncomfortable, you are better off with professional assistance or, otherwise, you risk further damage to the system.