4 Care Tips for Maintaining Your Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning System Year-Round

Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC system) serves essential functions for your home and family. Consequently, both homeowner efforts and professional maintenance are necessary to ensure optimal performance throughout the year. While most HVAC maintenance services and repairs are best left to the trained and licensed experts, homeowners can support their heating, ventilation and air conditioning system health with these few tips to experience the benefits of this routine HVAC care.

Simple Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning System Tips

A recent survey conducted by Thumbtack reveals that home maintenance is a significant source of stress for over 65% of participating homeowners. Additionally, not knowing how to fix something or having the time to do it emerged as contributors to home care worries. Understandably, comfort levels may vary substantially from one home to the next when approaching DIY home improvements and maintenance. Fortunately, these four basic tips are fairly quick and easy ways to help you care for your home's HVAC system.

1. Monitor your HVAC system. Checking on your own system is perhaps the most vital task that homeowners can perform independently and that they may be most comfortable doing. This maintenance effort is primarily a sensory one that relies on your eyes, ears and nose. For example, unusual odors in the home or around any part of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system may be a sign of mold and mildew from moisture accumulation or a chemical leak. Similarly, any changes in sound, especially louder sounds of scraping, rumbling or rattling may be signs of potential HVAC problems. By looking over your HVAC system components, you may also be able to spot potential issues, such as water around the AC unit.

2. Keep the areas around heating, ventilation and air conditioning components clear. As with water around an AC unit, locations that aren't clear may indicate a problem. However, not clearing around these features may also result in an issue. Outside, remove overgrown grass, piles of leaves and other yard growth or lawn items from around outdoor units to support air flow. Inside, make sure that furniture, window hangings or any other decorative or functional features aren't blocking vents, as these obstructions could put unnecessary strain on your system and even raise your energy costs.

3. Clean or change AC air filters. One way to protect your health and that of your loved ones is by cleaning and changing air filters regularly (only if you feel comfortable doing so), as shared by the Mayo Clinic. The frequency of such changes is specific to each household. For example, homes with more people or pets may need to change filters more often. For some homeowners, this task may be one that they'd prefer the professionals to complete in the context of scheduled seasonal maintenance. Given the unique needs of each residence and HVAC system, the safest way to approach heating, ventilation and air conditioning maintenance is to entrust it to the HVAC professionals near you.

4. Contact expert HVAC companies for routine maintenance. While it's helpful to have an understanding of how your HVAC system works, prioritize that call to your local heating, ventilation and air conditioning professionals and set up regularly scheduled system evaluations and maintenance. Turning this home care task over to an experienced team comes with multiple benefits in terms of energy and other operational costs, as well as system efficiency and lifespan. Accordingly, your property and the health of your household are also additionally protected, as highlighted below:

• For homeowners who are concerned about their safety (or that of their home) in doing certain home care tasks or those who just don't have the time, professional maintenance provides peace of mind about HVAC upkeep and usage safety.
• Air quality is a concern for structural integrity and resident health. For example, too much moisture can cause deterioration of wood and other building materials and result in mold and mildew growth. The presence of this growth or other air contaminants like dust and pollen often prompt allergies or respiratory concerns. Fortunately, regular maintenance helps ensure better air quality.
• Freezing temperatures and scorching heat come with their issues which an effectively functioning HVAC system can help mitigate. To avoid concerns like general discomfort or worries about frozen pipes, a well-maintained heating, ventilation and air conditioning system helps ensure a more consistent, comfortable and safe environment throughout a variety of weather conditions.

For award-winning heating, ventilation and air conditioning system expertise, count on Snappy Services! In addition to HVAC installations, maintenance and repair services, Snappy offers plumbing and electrical services in the greater Marietta and Atlanta areas. For routine maintenance or emergency services, contact us today to request a home care service!