Modesto can experience temperatures up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or more during the hot summer months. When winters roll around, they bring with them temperatures that can dip down to 30 degrees. To ensure that your HVAC system is ready to take on the temperature extremes, be sure to follow the best HVAC maintenance tips that we’re going to discuss below.
Get Professional Service
One of the best ways to properly maintain your heating and cooling systems is to get professional service. Your furnace should get service in the fall and your air conditioning system in the spring. This service will include inspecting and cleaning all your system’s internal components to ensure that it’s operating efficiently.
Change Your Filter Regularly
The air filter inside your HVAC system is directly responsible for the functioning of your system. If the air filter is full of debris, it will drastically reduce the operating efficiency of your system and even shorten its overall lifespan. Opt for checking your HVAC filter every month and have an extra filter ready to go for when a replacement is needed.
Keep Your AC Unit Clear
Your outdoor condenser unit is responsible for dispersing hot air that is removed from the inside of your home. When debris gets blown up against the side of the unit, it can prevent the unit from adequately dispersing this air. This can lead to inefficient cooling of your home. To prevent this issue, opt for checking your outdoor unit every couple of weeks throughout the summer months and remove any debris when necessary.
Check Your Air Vents Before Each Season
If you rely on a forced-air heating or cooling system, then you’ll have various air vents throughout your home. Your system is designed for all these air vents to remain in an open position. If you close any, it can reduce the operating efficiency of your heating system. It’s best to check your air vents at the start of every season to ensure that they’re open and there are no obstructions within three feet of them.
Test Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors
Before the winter season sets in, you’ll want to check your safety devices to ensure they’re working. These include carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and your fire extinguisher. Make sure all your detectors have fresh batteries and hit their test buttons. Be sure your fire extinguisher hasn’t expired and that it has a Type C or ABC rating.
Sweep Your Chimney
If your furnace burns natural gas, heating oil, or even propane, it will use a chimney to disperse the harmful exhaust fumes it creates. To ensure adequate airflow up your chimney, have professionals sweep it annually. During this inspection, they will remove any buildup of creosote and inspect your chimney for cracks or other issues.
Consider Duct Cleaning and Sealing
As your blower fan works to move air throughout your ducting, the air can bring with it some unwanted airborne particles and debris. Unfortunately, some of this debris can get stuck inside your ducting. This will reduce your indoor air quality level and restrict the airflow in your system. Duct cleaning service every few years is a great way to remove that hard-to-reach debris buildup from your ducting.
Duct sealing is another useful service that works to seal up any leaks in your ducting. Ducting will naturally develop leaks due to the expansion and contraction that it undergoes during temperature fluctuations. These leaks not only allow your precious treated air to escape and drive up your HVAC system bills but they can also pull in excess debris inside your ducting.
Program Your Thermostat
Using a smart or programmable thermostat is a great way to help keep your heating and cooling bills affordable throughout the year. You can easily set different temperatures depending on whether you’re home or not. For example, you can turn up the temperature during the summertime when you’re not at home to keep your air conditioning system from running non-stop. Then, have your thermostat decrease the temperature just before you arrive back home.
Reliable HVAC Maintenance Service
Cencal Mechanical Heating & Air, Inc. offers reliable HVAC maintenance service to the entire Modesto, CA community. We can also help with all your cooling, heating, indoor air quality, tankless water heater, thermostat, and water heater needs. Simply give us a call today to schedule your next service consultation.