Your HVAC system is an important part of your home as it’s something that you use pretty much 24/7 365 days. It’s what keeps you and your family comfortable in your home. But it may also be something that is easily neglected. It requires maintenance, but other than that you probably aren’t thinking much of it. However, putting some thought into your HVAC can help you extend its lifespan. Today we want to share some ways that you can get the most out of your HVAC system!
1. Seal LeaksÂ
Don’t let leaks in your home cause your HVAC to work overtime. Sealing air leaks around doors or windows can help keep the inside air IN your home. It can also help keep the outside air out, meaning that your system won’t work overtime compensating for temperature differences.
2. Schedule Seasonal MaintenanceÂ
Like we mentioned in the introduction, maintenance is important. Without maintenance things usually break down (like your car or even your body). Scheduling regular maintenance can help ensure that your system is working properly year-round. Miller’s suggests scheduling maintenance in the spring and then again in the fall. This way you can have a professional ensure that each individual unit (heat and AC) is working right! Maintenance can help extend the life of your HVAC system by catching small problems before they become large ones.
3. Be Mindful of Your ThermostatÂ
Being mindful of how you use your thermostat can play a large role in how efficiently your HVAC runs on a daily basis. For example, keeping your temperature at a steady number instead of constantly changing it. These changes can cause your HVAC to work overtime. Another great tip is to set your thermostat to about 55 degrees Fahrenheit when you aren’t home instead of completely turning the system off. Mindfulness like this can help your HVAC work less hard in turn increasing its life and decreasing your electric bill too!
4. Make Sure Your Equipment is the Right SizeÂ
This tip may be a little less obvious than the previous ones. But ensuring that your HVAC units are the proper size for your home is super important. You don’t want units that are too small because then they’ll be working overtime trying to heat/cool your entire home. You also don’t want units that are too large because then you’ll be wasting money on unnecessary inefficiency.
5. Understand Efficiency RatingsÂ
Efficiency ratings can be found associated with things such as your air conditioner and your heating. These ratings can help depict how efficient your unit is at using fuel. Knowing these ratings will allow you to have a better understanding of how efficient your unit is. You can inquire about these ratings during maintenance or when purchasing a unit.
6. Know When it’s Time to Let Go
Our last tip is to know when it’s time to let go. If your unit is inefficient, requires a ton of maintenance, or just isn’t keeping your home at a consistent temperature then it’s probably time to upgrade. Pushing an old unit won’t do you any good, it’s better to know when it’s time to upgrade to a more efficient unit.
We hope that these tips were helpful! Knowing ways to maximize the efficiency of your HVAC can help you save money and extend its lifespan. Miller’s HVAC experts are available to answer any questions. We also offer 24/7 emergency service should you need help with your HVAC outside of business hours. Miller’s is here for you! Call (804) 758-4314 for emergency service or a regular appointment.