We all want to save money. With so many home repairs and costs growing with every passing day, there are just as many opportunities to save money on home repairs as there are to lose money.
HVAC Maintenance You Can DIY at Home
Making these tasks a part of your bi-annual seasonal to-do lists will keep your heating and cooling system running smoothly and save you money in the long run.
How Often Should You Change Your Home Air Filter?
Changing the air filter on your system should take place at least once every six months. Pro tip: Most filter manufacturers recommend changing air filters every 30 to 90 days (or once every three months), but if you don’t rely on your heating or cooling system as heavily, you can afford to put it off for a little longer. Visually inspect your air filter every few months — when it looks grey and clogged, it’s definitely time for a refresh.
Why Is It Important to Change the Air Filter?
Changing your air filter helps to keep contaminants and pollutants out of your home's air supply, such as:
- Pollen
- Dust
- Dirt
- Dander
- Pet hair
- Viruses
- Mold spores
Should You Dust Your HVAC Unit?
Yes! Dusting is another maintenance task that should be completed on a regular basis by the homeowner. Dusting the fins on the outside of your exterior unit allows more air to pass through the system. It also helps to remove potential pollutants from your air supply.
How Often Should You Have HVAC Maintenance
Scheduling maintenance twice a year is the most important job for homeowners to complete. Bi-annual maintenance prepares your system for the upcoming season, so your HVAC unit is ready to efficiently serve your home heat in winter and cool air in summer. Your technician will also clean the inside of your heating and cooling system and check over all the components to look for future problem areas.
HVAC Maintenance Work That Should Be Left to Professionals
You won’t be able to avoid every expense connected to your heating and cooling system, but you can avoid making costly mistakes trying to do more than you’re qualified. What jobs should be left to the professionals? Some common examples include attempting big repairs and trying to size a new system.
Why Can't I Attempt to DIY Major HVAC Repairs?
Unless you’re trained to work with HVAC systems, working on major repairs for your own system will more than likely result in more problems than solutions. Your heating and cooling system is filled with small, individual components that all work in tandem to heat or cool your home. If any of these are installed or fixed incorrectly, it could have a domino effect on other areas of your system. Even if repairs seem expensive, they could be fractional to the cost of repairing a DIY fix.
Why Can't I Size a New HVAC System for My Home?
Installing an HVAC system is another area that could end up costing more than the DIY job is worth. The installation process is tricky enough, but even determining the appropriate size for a replacement can be tricky and takes a professional touch. Incorrectly sized HVAC systems can result in your home either getting too little conditioned air or having an oversized and inefficient system.
Providing Reliable HVAC Maintenance
When you need heating and cooling maintenance or repairs, contact your professional HVAC technicians at AC Express. Our team is highly trained and available to help you night and day with your repair or emergency replacement needs. Each out to our team online or by phone to schedule an appointment today! (512) 866-5520
