Why EARLY FALL IS THE BEST TIME TO HAVE YOUR HVAC TUNEUP

Your home needs a tuneup after a hot, mid-Atlantic summer. Find out why it is a good time to have your HVAC tuned up in the early fall and what seasonal maintenance includes.

HVAC Tips

RETIMAGING THERMOSTAT SETTINGS. Although programmable thermostats can be a great way to save energy and reduce utility bills, it is important to first do some research. It's a smart idea to set your thermostat to make the most out of the cool air and not waste energy at the start of summer. It's time for you to start thinking about fall when the leaves begin to change and the summer temperatures start to drop. It's best to program your thermostat to lower energy consumption during the day and keep your home comfortable at night. The thermostat should be set to 56°C during the day so that everyone can use it. This will save you up to 15% on heating bills over the year. It's possible for cool temperatures to suddenly appear, but it is important not overreact. If you have preprogrammed your thermostat to achieve comfortable temperatures and maximum energy savings, there is no reason to turn up the heat. CHANGE YOUR AIR FILTER Air filters are recommended to be changed every 60-90 days to maintain indoor air quality. This is a good general rule of thumb but it may not apply to every situation. To account for the increased use of the air conditioner over a long season, it is important to change the filter every 30 days. Remember, an air filter is there to remove pollutants, dirt, or other debris from your home's indoor air. The filter will stop being effective in trapping pollutants. A clogged filter can slow down the whole system. The HVAC system will lose efficiency if it has to work harder in order to cool your home. It doesn't matter how often you change your air filter throughout the summer, it is a good idea to have it replaced in the fall. This simple maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system filters out allergens and pollutants that appear in autumn and that you breathe clean, fresh air. INSPECT YOUR INDOOR SYSTEM. Maintenance on your HVAC Florence SC system, furnace or air conditioner is not something that most air-conditioner technicians recommend. However, you should still inspect the HVAC system to make sure it is in good condition and to identify potential problems as soon as possible. Poor electrical connections can indicate poor system performance or energy inefficiency. Make sure you look out for loose connections and components that may have become disconnected. Next, check the condensate drain of your air conditioner. It should be clean and dry. If you see signs such as a blockage, clog or mold growth from moisture, it is time to call a professional immediately. Although these may seem minor problems, an HVAC system that is affected by electrical problems, blockages or mold growth can be very inefficient and suffer from poor indoor air quality. Do not hesitate to call a professional for maintenance if you find anything unusual during your inspection. CLEAN THE OUTDOOR UNIT. As with indoor HVAC components it is best to leave more complex outdoor maintenance to professionals. You can do some outdoor tasks, but you should start with the cleaning of the outside unit. Although it is fine to landscape around an outdoor unit, you should not allow any bushes, shrubs or flowers to touch it. To allow for growth and debris, give the condenser (or unit) two to three feet of space. Also, trim any trees or bushes that might grow too close. When mowing your lawn, be careful not to leave grass clippings on the unit. If this happens, brush them off immediately. As fall nears, it is important to regularly clear the condenser of any fallen branches or leaves. After you turn off your air conditioner for the season you can also protect the outdoor unit by purchasing a condenser covers. The cover will protect the outdoor unit from both leaf buildup and damage from snow or ice. Covering your unit with a cover reduces the likelihood that it will need to be maintained well into the next season. CHECK THE STARTUP & SHUTDOWN CONTROLS You might have to rely on your furnace one day and the air conditioner the next depending on how the autumn temperatures change. You'll need to be able to shut down and restart the HVAC system as quickly as possible. You can test the controls by changing the settings of the programmable thermostat. Adjust the thermostat settings manually until the heating system is turned on. After the system has started for a while, adjust the thermostat settings to turn off the heating system. Next, test the cooling system. For additional maintenance or repairs, contact an HVAC technician if either the cooling system or heating system fails to start up, shut down, or operate as it should. SCHEDULE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE It is not a good feeling to find out that your HVAC system requires major repairs. A preventive-maintenance agreement, however, can take some of the sting out of both maintenance and repairs. This maintenance agreement focuses on prevention. An experienced technician inspects the HVAC system each spring and autumn and performs maintenance, repairs, updates, and maintenance to keep it running smoothly. The technician inspects and calibrates control systems, checks wires, and lubricates all moving parts. In addition to changing the filter, To ensure proper operation, the technician checks the refrigerant levels and cleans the condensate tank. One of the advantages is that it happens two times each year like clockwork. This means that you can be confident that your heat pump will work smoothly every time you turn it on, even if it is late in the fall. You'll also be able to earn points towards system upgrades so you can take advantage of energy-efficient HVAC upgrades as soon as possible. GET A HOME-ENERGY AUDIT A home-energy audit is a great time of year, as it's important that you are aware of your seasonal energy requirements and any local energy efficiency issues. You have the option to either schedule an energy audit or perform a DIY energy assessment. Start with a walkthrough of the house to find air leaks. To spot drafts or leaks, inspect baseboards, doors, and windows. You can seal any cracks or gaps with weatherstripping or caulk if you find them. Next, inspect your home's insulation. Inspecting your attic will confirm that you have the correct amount of insulation. You should also make sure that your attic insulation has a vapor barrier. This prevents moisture from entering the attic. Schedule an energy audit to save energy in your home. An energy auditor will not only give you professional advice on insulation and air leaks but will also use advanced technology to pinpoint problem areas. Thermographic inspections of your home will reveal hot and cold spots that indicate where air is leaking from your home. The blower-door test will reveal how airtight your house is, and help identify areas that are drafty or have ventilation issues. A professional energy audit can save you significant energy and it's easy to do.

Call Florence HVAC Experts now if you need help with your HVAC system.

Florence HVAC Experts Florence, SC 29501 843-636-3260 http://florencehvacexperts.com/

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