WHAT ST. LOUIS HOMEOWNERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ROUTINE HVAC MAINTENANCE

Depending on the time of year, temperatures in St. Louis average anywhere from 25°F to 89°F. These wide ranges of temperatures keep your HVAC system working hard all year round to adapt. Because of this, it is important to keep up with routine HVAC maintenance.

If you are a homeowner in St. Louis, then keep reading to learn more about how to properly care for your HVAC system.

Why Is HVAC Maintenance Essential?

HVAC maintenance in St. Louis is something that should never be ignored. If you neglect to care for and maintain your HVAC system, then it is likely to develop serious issues in the future. Even if nothing is visibly wrong, you should do what you can to keep your system in good shape.

Without preventative HVAC maintenance, your unit may have a shorter lifespan, and you may need to pay for a full replacement sooner.

HVAC Maintenance Tips

If you are unsure about how to care for your HVAC system, then we are here to help. Here are 8 essential HVAC maintenance tips that every homeowner should know.

1. Change Your Filters

If you neglect to change your air filters, this can harm both your HVAC unit and your health.

Over time, your air filters will fill up with dust, dirt, and other debris. Breathing this in can cause serious health problems, and it can also make it harder for your HVAC system to work properly. Worn-out filters can also be a fire hazard.

You should change your air filter every three months or so. If you find your filters getting dirty faster, however, then you can change them on a more regular basis.

2. Keep an Eye on Your Energy Bills

Your energy bills are a good indicator of how well your HVAC system is working. If your bills suddenly spike, then you may need to call an HVAC specialist. This could mean that there is an issue with your unit and it is therefore working harder and using more energy to run.

3. Schedule Professional Maintenance Checks

You should schedule a professional HVAC maintenance check at least once a year. HVAC companies have all of the essential tools to ensure that your system is functioning properly. They can also do things like clean or replace your filters, lubricate moving parts, and inspect condensers and coils.

The experts here at Anton’s can help you with any of your preventative air conditioning and heating needs.

4. Keep Your Home Insulated

Properly insulating your home is key to making sure you are saving energy. Insulation helps to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter and keeps your HVAC system from working too hard.

Faulty doors and windows also impact how well your HVAC system heats and cools your home. If your doors and windows are left open or aren’t sealed properly, then your unit will have to work much harder to regulate the temperature in your home.

Make sure you shut your doors and windows completely. If there are any issues that are preventing you from shutting them fully, then take care of them immediately.

5. Clean Condenser or Heat Pump

Cleaning the condenser and heat pump can prevent damage to internal parts of your HVAC system. Dirty condensers and pumps can get very dirty and can make your HVAC system work harder than it needs to.

You can use a garden hose on the fins to make sure you get all of the gunk out of the cracks.

6. Keep Your Unit Clean

One essential maintenance tip is to make sure to keep the unit free of dust and debris. Regularly dust off your indoor HVAC units. Furnaces in the basement can collect dust and force your system to work too hard.

Outdoor units should also be cleared off. Severe weather can cause branches, leaves, and other debris to become stuck in your unit. Take a few minutes each month to move these debris away.

Also, make sure that there is no mold or vegetation growing on your outdoor unit. This can cause your unit to slow down or completely stop working over time.

7. Leave Your Vents Open

Many people close their air vents in an attempt to save energy and money. While this sounds good in theory, it can actually do more harm than good. If you keep your vents closed at all times, pressure will build up and can ultimately hinder your unit’s performance.

Keeping your vents closed can also cause leaks or damage to your ductwork. This can be costly to repair and will not end up saving you money in the long run. Make sure to keep your vents open and let the air flow freely in your home.

8. Get a Smart Thermostat

Many HVAC issues start with the thermostat. The thermostat tells your HVAC system when to stop and start based on the indoor and outdoor temperature. If it can’t correctly read the temperature, then your HVAC unit will work too hard or not hard enough.

One way to avoid this problem is to get a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats allow you to keep track of your usage history and get alerts every time you may need maintenance or a filter cleaning. They can also save you money and energy by detecting when they should and should not be functioning.

If you don’t want to invest in a smart thermostat, then play around with the temperature to find what fits best for you. Find the lowest temperature in the winter and the highest in the summer that you feel comfortable with. This can save you money on energy and allow your system not to work too hard.

Call and HVAC Maintenance Service Today

HVAC maintenance is an essential part of homeownership. It may seem challenging at first, but following these few simple tips and tricks can help to ensure your system functions properly for years to come.

The experts here at Anton’s are always here to help you with any heating, cooling, energy, and plumbing needs. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

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