HVAC TIPS
Hi-Temp Heating & Cooling
Home Tips
While most air filters have an average life of three months, its important that you check them monthly during long periods of hot or cold weather. With your AC of furnace working harder and longer due to extended heat/cool, filters will fill with particles faster. Dirty air filters forces your system to work harder to push air through your home. This uses more energy and places extra strain on the heating and cooling system. Take the air filter out and hold it to a light, if the dust on the filter is so thick that you can not see much light shining through, its time for new filters. A clean filter unobstructed by dirt and other debris will save you money on energy costs and prolong the life of your heating and cooling equipment. If you do not know were your air filters are, or how to replace them, ask your Hvac technician to show you during maintenance.
Dirty air filters in your home aren’t just disgusting, they are also unhealthy. Changing air conditioning filters regularly can improve health and save you money at the same time!
We cannot remind people enough about the wasted $$$ generated by dirty filters. One customer mentioned to my tech upon arrival to their home ‘I began noticing that my bedroom door, when slightly ajar, was closing on its own. Thought that was strange.” I checked the filter & it was filthy. Supply and lack of return were creating a positive pressure differential.
Keep Outdoor Unit Clean and Clear for Safety and Efficiency.
Always turn the thermostat and outdoor unit breaker off. Check the outdoor unit for anything blocking the units sides or top. Remove any plant growth, grass clippings, or debris caught in the coil walls. You should have a 12 inch clearance surrounding the outdoor condensing unit. Cottonwood is a big clogging culprit. You should always call a technician when you find your coils are plugged or very dirty. If you are not trained how to clean these properly, you could actually cause damage to your unit. Do not use a power/pressure washer.
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Shiawassee County, MI
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Tune-Up Tips
Information You Need
Schedule Professional HVAC Preventative Maintenance
Consider scheduling two seasonal HVAC tuneups each year, one in the spring for the air conditioning and one in the fall for the heating. During these maintenance checkups, Hi-Temp Heating & Cooling technicians will thoroughly service and inspect the system to keep it working efficiently and prevent breakdowns.
Change the Filters
Filters remove dust, hair and other particles from the air so that these pollutants are not spread throughout the home. You can improve the air quality inside of your home and use less energy by changing the HVAC filter every 30 days. Clean filters let more air pass through, allowing the system to heat and cool more efficiently. For most systems, filters with a MERV rating between seven and 13 offer an excellent balance between filtration ability and maximum airflow.
Perform Visual Inspection of the HVAC System
Inspect the system monthly when changing the filter to uncover potential problems. Check out the thermostat, inside the unit, outside unit, registers and returns. In addition to that, you should check the following:
- Check the battery status on the thermostat
- Inspect the condensate system to ensure that it is draining properly
- Ensure that the filter access and cabinet door are securely closed
- Make sure the flue system is securely attached and fully intact
- Ensure that all registers and returns are unblocked and open
- Check all registers for signs of mold
- Make sure the outdoor unit is level. Use rot proof shims to level it if necessary
Eliminate Clutter Around the Indoor HVAC Unit
Keeping the area around your indoor HVAC unit clear improves air quality and safety. The more stuff you have sitting around, the more surface area there is to collect dust that will eventually make its way into the vent system. Clutter also reduces air circulation in the immediate area, which is bad for system efficiency. Plus, clutter can become both a fire hazard and a trip hazard, and make it harder to perform repairs and maintenance.
Regulate Your Home Temperature
Maintaining your HVAC includes operating it at temperatures that are comfortable and avoiding running it as much while you are away from home or sleeping. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature at different times of the day. If you allow the house to stay cooler in winter and warmer in summer while you are not home, the system will run less frequently, use less power and last longer.
Maintain the Carbon Monoxide Detector
A carbon monoxide detector is an essential safety device in homes with combustion-based heating systems such as natural gas or fuel oil. In the event of an exhaust leak, impaired ventilation, excess gas flow or other malfunction, the alarm could save your life.
These devices have an average working life of about seven years. Test the carbon monoxide detector monthly to ensure it is in proper working order, and replace it if necessary. Plan on changing the batteries every six months.