Properly maintaining your home’s heating and air cooling systems is critical if you hope to avoid consequences like higher energy bills and health issues due to dust inhalation.
It isn’t a lot to have a professional HVAC technician come out twice a year to perform routine maintenance on your unit, and it could save you from extra costs and unnecessary stress in the long run.
How is Your Dirty AC Unit Driving Up Your Energy Bill?
In order for your AC to cool your home efficiently during hot Florida summers, without raising your energy costs, it needs to be able to run as efficiently as possible. You can make sure this is happening by keeping it well maintained.
One of the most critical steps in the tune-up process is cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils. This is because dirty coils can result in up to a 30% increase in energy usage. If your energy bill has gone up by a substantial amount like this, and you’re uncertain why, check your AC coils. Some other steps that can keep your system running efficiently are:
- Replacing or cleaning filters
- Cleaning condensate drain
- Cleaning blower components
- Tightening electrical connections
- Lubricating all the moving parts
- Assessing the cooling cycle
All of these will ensure that your unit is running as efficiently as possible, so you can enjoy the comfort of your central HVAC system without worrying about any unnecessary utility costs.
How Can Your HVAC System Help Reduce Dust in Your Home?
If you or anyone else in your home have respiratory issues such as allergies, COPD, or asthma, which can be aggravated by dust, it is doubly important to make sure you are managing your HVAC systems.
Running a clean, efficient HVAC system in your home can help to remove dust and other allergens from your home, and deposit them outside. The key, however, is that in order to perform this well, your system needs to be kept in tip-top shape, as a unit that is not properly maintained could be adding to your dust problem.
A clogged AC filter can allow dust, dirt, and other debris to pass through your vents and into your home. If dust is a significant issue for you, make sure to check your AC filter every 3-6 months between tune-ups, and keep regular maintenance appointments to clean the other components of the unit. You should also have your air ducts cleaned every 2-3 years to clean out any dust that may be settling there.
How Can a Maintenance Program Help Manage Your HVAC System?
Most HVAC technicians will suggest joining a maintenance program to help keep up with your units inspections and tune-ups. Many of these programs can be paid annually, and offer particular benefits for your HVAC maintenance.
One of the perks of joining a membership program is the peace of mind of knowing that you can trust the HVAC company who is working on your unit because they've worked on it before.
While the benefits associated with maintenance membership vary from company to company, they may include:
- Regular tune-ups and inspections every 6 months to help prevent unexpected breakdowns and failures.
- Special pricing on service and equipment.
- A 6-month supply of free filters, to maintain your unit between tune-ups!
