Owning a house for the first time is exciting, with so many possibilities and responsibilities ahead on your homeowner journey. It's not all just new paint, flooring, and furniture to invest in - the appliances in your home need special care and attention, too. One of the most important pieces of equipment in your home is your heating and air unit.
Regular maintenance on your home's HVAC system will keep it running longer without experiencing continuous breakdowns throughout the years. There are some maintenance tasks you can do yourself, and there are others a licensed professional needs to address. Take a proactive maintenance step by scheduling maintenance for your heating and air unit soon after buying your new home.
DIY Heating and Air Maintenance
There are a few maintenance tasks you can do yourself between scheduled maintenance calls on your heating and air unit.
- Check Your Filters: This is an easy task and needs to be done at least once a month. If you notice excess dirt building up in your filter, replace the filter to keep the indoor air quality in your new home clean. A dirty or clogged air filter restricts the airflow in your heating and air unit, forcing your system to work harder to achieve ideal temperatures throughout your home.
- Clear Debris Outside: The outdoor unit on your HVAC system withstands a lot of winds, rain, and snow during the year. Do a visual inspection of your outdoor component and clear away any debris on or around it. Leaves, grass, branches, and twigs can build up on and around your exterior unit and restrict the airflow. Outdoor heating and air unit with reduced airflow will overheat more often and suffer from damaged components over time.
- Two feet of Clearance: Another way to prevent restricted airflow with your outdoor heating and air unit is by checking the vegetation growing around it. Trees, bushes, and shrubs need to be at least two feet away from the exterior component. Not only does overgrowth reduce airflow, but it also increases the chance of debris collecting on and around your heating and air unit.
- Registers and Grilles: When you are vacuuming, run your vacuum brush extensions over the grilles and registers inside your home. Dust, dirt, and other debris will travel through your ductwork when the filter is clogged. By vacuuming these areas regularly, you eliminate excess debris from building up in your ventilation system.
When to Leave Heating and Air to the Professionals
HVAC experts are trained to handle a wide variety of issues discovered during routine maintenance. Our NATE-certified technicians are knowledgeable about every type and brand of heating and air equipment on the market. A preventative maintenance plan ensures your new heating and air unit is serviced twice a year. We will inspect your unit, clean it, lubricate all moving parts and recommend a repair or replacement of any damaged components we find.
Taking care of your new home starts with proper maintenance for your heating and air unit. Perform simple tasks on your own between maintenance calls conducted by a professional HVAC technician. Call Estes Services to schedule maintenance on your heating and air unit.
