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Despite being a powerful machine, capable of keeping your home comfortable amid triple-digit temperatures, your HVAC system is pretty sensitive. As the owner, you need to curb certain HVAC habits that could be compromising comfort and damaging your cooling system.
Treat your air conditioning system better and stop doing these four things:
Forgetting to Change the Filter
Neglecting to replace the air filter puts a serious strain on your HVAC system. Imagine trying to breathe through a thick blanket. That’s essentially how your cooling system feels when it’s trying to push air through a dirty, clogged filter. Meanwhile, dust and debris will circulate through your ducts, contributing to poor indoor air quality. You can also expect a spike in your electricity bills. We recommend changing the filter every 30 to 90 days. Set an alert on your phone when it’s time to swap it out.
Constantly Adjusting the Temperature
Do you find yourself frequently adjusting the settings on your thermostat? If so, stop. You’re putting unnecessary stress on your system. A hot home will not cool faster if you bump the temperature below than it’s usual set point. Find a temperature you're comfortable with, set it and forget it. Better yet, upgrade to a smart thermostat that learns your schedule, keeps your home comfortable while you’re there and adjusts to a more economical setting while you’re away.
Letting Vegetation Crowd the Condenser
The outside condensing unit needs breathing room in order to do its job. Trim back shrubs and keep the area free of leaves, vines and anything else threatening to suffocate the condenser.
Foregoing Annual Maintenance
Your cooling system is comprised of multiple moving parts -- fans, motors, evaporation coils, just to name a few -- each of which needs to be inspected at least annually to ensure they’re operating at peak efficiency. An experienced HVAC technician will perform routine maintenance to catch small issues before they become big problems. We recommend having your cooling system tuned-up in the spring and your furnace inspected in the fall. Doing this will prevent breakdowns, improve comfort and lower your energy bills.
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