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Taking care of your home and keeping it in the best shape possible isn’t easy, but it is essential, nevertheless.
As long as you have a plan set out, you’ll know exactly what your home needs and at the right time. The key is also to keep yourself informed, aware and alert at all times.
What are we really talking about? Your home’s HVAC system, of course!
Your HVAC system is what keeps the temperature and environment of your home comfortable for you and your family. Even the setup of the perfect home office needs a properly functioning system.
However, due to a number of different reasons, there are bound to be damages or shortcomings in the performance that you’ll need to deal with every now and then.
Does that mean that you need to get a full-blown service done each time? Not necessarily. A DIY AC maintenance guide can help with bridging that gap for you.
Below, we’ve listed some handy DIY tips on how you can maintain your HVAC system when there are hiccups:
1. Cleaning the filter(s)
Your filters are undoubtedly one of the most critical components in your HVAC unit. Without adequately functioning filters, you might as well replace your entire unit.
So, to avoid any significant expenses and repairs, remember to stay alert and do a periodic check on the cleanliness of your filters.
If it seems like there’s too much debris or dirt in there, use the manual to remove and clean the filters yourself.
2. Keep your eyes (and ears) open
Sometimes your system will show some very visible signs of damage like leaks, odd noises from the exhaust, issues with cooling/heating rapidly, temperature defects, and so on.
Hence, the minute you see or hear anything unusual about the way your unit is functioning, don’t wait for it to get worse and inspect it. From there on, you can fix a small issue yourself or consult a professional if necessary.
3. Check the ducts
Your air ducts are what ensure that the flow of hot/cold air is smooth and uninterrupted. So, what happens if they’re clogged with dirt, grime, and another such residue?
It’ll eventually affect the overall performance of your HVAC system and could even lead to larger repairs in the long run.
To avoid encountering all of this, ensure that you clean your ducts by yourself at least once a month (and more often if you have pets/kids).
4. Take a break
No, we’re not talking about taking a vacation. Just like any other electronic gadget, even your HVAC system deserves a break every now and then.
Continuous running can cause extensive wear and tear, which inevitably leads to poor performance. So whenever possible, you need to stop using the system and let it “cool down.” This is a simple tip, yes, but very much effective.
5. Fuel up
Your AC’s humidifier can be quite overused and run out of coolant. Running on lower levels again affects how well the unit performs.
So, you can turn off the water supplier connected to your humidifier for a short while. When the colder months approach, you can refill the humidifier pad with fresh water.
Another tip is to set the humidity level between 30 and 40 degrees before turning the water supply back on.
6. Professionals on speed dial
Yes, we now we’re talking about DIY maintenance but, it does take a good amount of awareness also to know when to call the experts in to fix things.
There are some defects that professionals would be better suited to deal with, and this is when you need to hit that speed dial number and call them in.
Keeping a close rapport with your HVAC professionals also helps with knowing what red flags you need to look out for.
7. Schedules help
If you’ve already got too much on your plate and remembering to keep a check on your HVAC system is tedious, then have a roaster for it.
You can maintain a timely schedule where you know you have to check on your unit without fail, even if everything seems to be functioning normally.
Ideally, you need to check your outer exhaust unit at least once a month, while your ducting needs a check once in 2 weeks. A thorough, professional check can be done quarterly or half-yearly, as per your consultant’s advice.
Although HVAC systems vary in terms of shelf life and useful life, there’s no set barrier in it. There are well-maintained systems that can last with great performance for years on end.
If you’re looking to make the most of your system at home and also hope to increase its lifespan, a regular yearly check-up by thorough professionals is an absolute necessity. Just like any type of device, better care equals longer life.
