article

Keeping Your Heating and Cooling Systems (HVAC) Running Great

By Bluehammer Admin

Having your HVAC system checked yearly by a professional is good practice. You can also perform regular maintenance to help keep your heating and cooling system running its best.

Professional maintenance

Having a professional come inspect and perform maintenance on your heating and cooling system should at least be done once a year. Your service professional has the expertise to service parts of the unit that require a better understanding and training to ensure the unit is working its most efficient. Some common services performed are:

  • Check refrigerant level, adding more refrigerant if necessary
  • Inspect for any electrical issues with the wiring or control panels
  • Add lubricant to moving parts such as the fan and motor
  • If applicable, replace any worn parts such as fan belts
  • Check for any gas leaks in gas units
  • Run the system and measure the temperature to ensure correct performance

Maintenance the homeowner can perform

Aside from having a professional service inspection, homeowners can also take steps to maintain their HVAC system.

  • Change your air filterIf your air filters are dirty, your system needs to run harder to effectively heat or cool your home. Change your air filter once every 3 months.
  • Clear debris from your outdoor units.Leaves, dirt and grass can all accumulate inside your unit, having an adverse effect on it's life span. Keeping the area clean around your heating or cooling unit will help ensure that excess debris does not enter the unit.
  • Make sure nothing is blocking the air flowOutdoor patio items and trash cans should be kept away from blocking the air flow of your HVAC unit. A good rule of thumb is to have at least 2.5 feet of cleared area around the 3 sides your unit not closest to your wall.
  • Visually inspect your systemTake a look at all your lines entering your house to check for damaged insulation. Damage to insulation leads to heating or cooling loss which results in the system working harder.

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED "AS IS" AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


Replacing Your Toilet

The work horse of the bathroom, the toilet is the most used appliance.

Choosing The Best Hardwood Floors For Your Home

The rich patina of wood floors adds beauty and elegance to any home.

5 Home Upgrades For Your Vacation Rental Space

Vacation rentals are experiencing a surge of popularity as websites like VRBO and Airbnb make them more accessible. Guests can find a place that fits their budget, location and accommodation needs. Hosts can easily list their property.

Installing a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans add to the decor of a room and are an energy efficient way to improve cooling when it's hot and heating when it's cold. For simple installations, installing your own ceiling fan is a breeze.

How To Renew Your Deck In 5 Easy Steps

Summer is here, which means you need to take a hard look at your deck. Given winter's inclement conditions, there's a good chance your deck is in need of some attention. Here are some quick and easy steps for getting it in shape:

Tips For Selecting An Interior Door

Take a minute to count the number of doors in your house. Surprising, right? Consider then, the impact that a little attention to the doors can have on the overall style and design of your home. Whether you're just moving in or staging for a sale, new doors are a simple way to dramatically update the space. The good news is that there are as many styles of doors as there are doors in your home. Making the decision is the toughest part.

The Nightmare Next Door: What To Do When Your Neighbor Is a Nuisance

The animals that live in the house across the street bark incessantly. The people two doors down play their music so loud you now know all the lyrics to every Kendrick Lamar song ever written. And something, presumably a dog (you hope) keeps leaving presents on your lawn. Annoyances like these can make it unpleasant to live in your neighborhood. And, they can quickly escalate, becoming dangerous or even in need of legal intervention.

Double up! Stylish Solutions For Shared Bedroom Spaces

Fitting multiple kids in a house can be challenging, and when they have to double - or tripl - up (or more!) in one room, style can take a hit.

Chimney Liners: Does Your Home Have One - Do You Even Need One?

You rely on your chimney being safe. Whether you use your fireplace for wood-burning fires, you have a furnace that vents through your chimney, you utilize a wood stove or gas insert, your chimney needs to be able to handle heat and sparks without allowing damage to your home. Stone or brick chimneys can be made safer with a flue lining that helps to move heat and gases up and out of your home.

Inspired Ways To Create A Guest Space When You Don't Have A Guest Room

Not all of us are blessed with enough bedrooms to accommodate every member of the family plus a home office and a man cave and a theater room and a guest space. And, it's that last one that often ends up as a challenge when friends and family come to visit and you either have to break out the blow-up bed or give up your room and hunker down with the kids. You don't need to add on or buy a new home to provide a comfortable space for guests. These smart solutions will help you create a great space for guests with minimal effort.

See More Articles