The New Year brings with it plenty of opportunities for change and improvement. Approximately 40% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions each year to bring about some type of positive change in their lives. This year, in addition to plans for improving your personal health and well-being, you should also make New Year’s resolutions to improve the health of your home. Specifically, a few small changes in the way you take care of your HVAC system can make your home healthier and extend the life of your system. Here are ten easy but beneficial New Year’s resolutions to make for your HVAC.
1. Change Your Air Filters Regularly
This New Year’s resolution seems very simple yet is very important. The key to a properly functioning HVAC system is making sure you change your air filters regularly. Air filters keep the air flowing into your home clean and free of contaminants. Dust, dirt, and other particles are kept out of your home when you have clean air filters, which improves the air quality of your home and makes your HVAC system run more efficiently. Over time, air filters will become clogged with dust, reducing air flow. In order to maintain optimum air flow efficiency, we recommend changing your air filters once a month during the months you use your heating and cooling system the most and once every three months during the months of less frequent HVAC usage.
2. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Consider investing in a programmable thermostat if you do not already have one. These thermostats help your system become more energy efficient, which can also save you money. You can program your thermostat so that your home will be heated or cooled to different temperatures at different times of the day. Set your thermostat so that your heat or air conditioning will only run while you are home to enjoy it. This can save you over $100 in energy costs each year.
3. Schedule Routine Preventative Maintenance
Annual HVAC maintenance can make sure your HVAC system keeps running smoothly. An experienced HVAC technician will ensure your heating and cooling systems are in good condition and working efficiently. Routine preventative HVAC maintenance will also ensure any problems will be caught early on before they become larger issues. Having regular check-ups for your HVAC system will prolong the life of your system and save you money on energy costs.
4. Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Good indoor air quality is crucial for the health of your family. Maintaining your indoor air quality is not difficult if you can adopt some good habits. Cleaning your air filters when you regularly clean your home is one good way to make sure your air is not filled with contaminants. Adding some green plants inside your home can also help improve your air quality. An HVAC technician can measure your indoor air quality and recommend ways to make it better.
5. Add Zoning Systems
It can be difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home if it has multiple levels or closed-off rooms. Adding zoning systems can help you keep different areas of your home at different temperatures. Dampers are installed in your ductwork and connected to electrical sensors. This then allows you to program different temperatures for different parts of your home using a smart thermostat. Your HVAC company can help you configure this type of setup.
6. Clean Your Air Ducts
Air ducts are one of the most important components of your HVAC system, yet they are easy to overlook. It is a great idea to get your air ducts cleaned every so often so that you can be sure the air coming into your home is clean and your HVAC unit is running efficiently. The general rule of thumb is that you should clean your air ducts every three to five years. If it’s been a while, make a plan to get your air ducts cleaned this year. Contact your HVAC company to schedule air duct cleaning.
7. Upgrade Your HVAC System
HVAC systems typically last 10 to 15 years before kicking out. If your HVAC is reaching that point, the new year is the perfect time to consider upgrading it. While new HVAC systems can be a little pricey, the benefits will be well worth it. A new HVAC will be more energy efficient, which can save you a lot of money on utility bills in the years to come. A certified HVAC company can help you determine the best type and size of HVAC for your home.
8. Adjust Your Thermostat
We all have temperature preferences and want to achieve maximum comfort when we’re at home. However, if you lower your thermostat just a couple of degrees during the winter and increase it just a couple of degrees during the summer, you can save energy and money each month. This tiny step keeps your HVAC system from having to work so hard, so its life can also be extended this way.
9. Become More Knowledgeable About Your HVAC System
We know that learning about your HVAC system isn’t the most exciting thing in the world. However, if you make a resolution to become more knowledgeable about your HVAC this year, you will be able to better identify when problems arise so that you can get them addressed early on before they get worse. It is always a good idea to learn about the different functions of your home so that you can pinpoint when things go wrong and get them fixed as soon as possible. This will make you that much better at being a homeowner.
10. Take Precautions
Any time you think there could be some sort of problem with your HVAC system, do not hesitate to call your trusted HVAC company. No matter the magnitude of the problem, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Then you can relax knowing that your HVAC system is running smoothly and will not suddenly break down on you. It is also good practice in this new year to plan ahead. Schedule your preventative maintenance in advance to avoid breakdowns. Invest in a system upgrade during the off-season to get better prices on a new HVAC unit. Stay one step ahead of your HVAC system this year to continually enjoy the benefits of healthy heating and cooling systems.
Trusted HVAC Company Near Me
Let an experienced and trusted HVAC company help you accomplish these HVAC New Year’s resolutions. City Heating and Air Conditioning has been meeting East Tennessee’s HVAC needs for over fifty years. Our expert HVAC technicians have years of experience installing, maintaining, and repairing both residential and commercial HVAC systems. From annual preventative maintenance to air duct cleaning, we can do it all to keep your HVAC systems working correctly. Reach out to us today to schedule service. Call us at 865-938-1005 or fill out our contact form.