Are you a St. Louis native that’s preparing for the extreme weather that lies ahead? Do you want to start prioritizing healthy HVAC maintenance for your system? If so, then you need to learn about the HVAC maintenance mistakes you might be making.
Life gets busy and, when it does, the HVAC system in most homes becomes less of a priority. It shouldn’t. Just a few of these mistakes can result in major repairs or even the need to replace the entire HVAC system.
See below for a guide on the HVAC maintenance mistakes you should avoid from this day forward.
1. Not Scheduling Frequent Maintenance
If you wait until there’s an issue to schedule an HVAC appointment, it’s already too late. While the repair can still be made, that issue has had time to wear down your system. That could affect its overall lifespan.
It can also sabotage the safety of you and your family. For example, let’s say you’ve been putting off scheduling an HVAC checkup. Then, in the middle of the summer, your HVAC system stops blowing cold air.
As St. Louis Natives know all too well, the humidity can pile up quickly, raising the temperature in your house. You won’t find relief until a professional can come out to do the installation.
However, this emergency can be avoided by being just a little more proactive with your HVAC system. Be sure to schedule frequent checkups and periodic HVAC maintenance with a trusted HVAC service.
We recommend that you schedule checkups twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. That way, we can prepare your heating and air conditioning for the heat of summer or the brutal cold of winter.
We’ll assess the condition of your system and make sure everything is running smoothly. This can expand the life of your HVAC system.
2. Not Changing Your Air Filter
This is by far and away from the most common cause of HVAC issues. It’s ironic how a small feature can make such a huge difference to a complex system.
Most homeowners forget to switch out the air filter in their HVAC system, which leads to costly repairs over the long haul.
Your air filter is responsible for purifying the air that the HVAC system circulates throughout your home. They can prevent things like pollen, dirt, dust, mold, pet dander, and debris from getting back into your home.
However, when it collects a fair share of those particles, it gets dirty and starts to cause a blockage to your system. It makes it harder for the air to cycle through. To compensate, your unit will use more energy to try and meet your desired temperature.
This can cause you financial issues in two ways. First, the system will quickly overheat, leading to a costly repair. Sometimes even a replacement is necessary.
Second, the system will use more energy, thus causing your energy bill to skyrocket. If you’ve noticed that the utility bill climbed significantly, the HVAC system is the first place you should look.
All of this can be avoided by simply switching out your air filter every month. Start developing a habit of replacing the filter right after you pay your rent/mortgage. That will hold you more accountable.
3. Not Knowing the Signs of Mold
There’s a common misconception about mold among homeowners. Many believe that it’s a representation of whether or not a home is clean. They think that, as long as their home is clean, mold cannot grow. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, cleanliness has nothing to do with it. All it takes for mold or mildew to form in an environment with enough humidity. That makes your air vents a prime suspect.
Be proactive (there’s that word, again!) in checking your air vents for signs of mold. If you see a black matter on the inside or outside of the vents or the HVAC unit itself, call a professional right away.
4. Not Having a Big Enough Air Conditioner
You might be surprised to find out that your air conditioner isn’t big enough (or might be too big) for your home. Some installation companies make this mistake on new home builds.
If your air conditioner is too small, then it won’t be able to catch up to the demands of the house. It may never be able to get your home’s cabin to the temperature that you desire.
Reach out to an HVAC repair service right away. They’ll come to take a look at the unit and measure to see if it’s the right size for your property.
5. Ignoring the Signs of an Issue
As we pointed out earlier, the very first time your system starts having issues, the damage has already been done, but it can get worse!
The longer you wait to schedule HVAC repair, the more that it will cost to fix. If you wait too long, then you might even be forced to replace the entire system.
Don’t ignore the signs of a needed repair. If your unit starts making weird noises or has a bad smell, contact a professional right away.
Avoid These HVAC Maintenance Mistakes at All Costs
Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on the HVAC maintenance mistakes you should be avoiding, be sure to use this information efficiently.
Be sure to read this article for more information on the 6 signs of mold that every homeowner should know about.
For more inquiries, please feel free to contact us by phone at 314-334-2165 and we will be happy to assist you further.
