HVAC Safety & Maintenance Tips: Keep Your HVAC Working

Your HVAC unit might not be top-of-mind, but problems there can cost you plenty in energy costs and repair bills. Not to mention comfort.  Making sure your unit is in top working order is a breeze.  Following these simple tips and tricks can help you get comfortable with maintaining your HVAC…

Change those air filters.

This is one of the easiest—and most important—things you can do to keep your HVAC unit running efficiently, lasting longer, and saving you money. It’ll also improve your home’s air quality.

 Air filters trap dust, pet hair and other stuff that can mess with the unit’s performance. Dirty filters make the unit work harder, leading to higher energy bills and even breakdowns. It’s a good idea to swap out your filters about every 90 days—more often if your house contains pets or people with allergies.

Come to your senses.

The sooner you can fix an HVAC problem, the easier and less expensive it’ll be. Your nose and your ears are your early-warning system. A rotten-egg smell could indicate a gas leak, which is extremely dangerous. Mustiness, burning odors and chemical smells are also signs of a problem, as are clanging, banging, whistling or scraping sounds.

Give it some air.

A little shade around your HVAC unit can help keep it cool and reduce your summer electric bills. But greenery can do a number on the unit if it’s so close that it obstructs the air flow. Make sure to keep about three feet of clearance around the perimeter and five feet from the top. Go with plants that don’t drop a lot of leaves or debris and consider adding a latticework covering to help keep the area around your HVAC clean.

Add ceiling fans.

Air isn’t the only thing ceiling fans push down. They can also lower your electric bills. In the summer, they can help your rooms keep their cool. And in winter, you can reverse the direction of the blades to help warm things up.  

Get a tune-up.

To make sure your unit stays in top working order, have a technician come every spring and fall. During the spring tune-up, they’ll check refrigerant levels and system pressure, inspect the contactors, check the condensate lines, and generally make sure your A/C is performing at its best.

Proactive HVAC maintenance can help you avoid the discomfort and inconvenience of a malfunctioning system when you need it most. Here are a few tips: 

• Level and clear surroundings around the HVAC system at least 2 feet around the unit to improve airflow. 
• If the unit is not fixed to the ground, check that the system is level. Oil within an unbalanced unit cannot reach all units causing friction and damage over time.
• Disconnect electricity to the device and check for signs of wear, corrosion and loose wires. 
• Check and adjust the thermostat by turning it on and observing start-up. Replace dead thermostat batteries.
• Clean the coils, working from the top down, by spraying water from a garden hose to rinse the coils.

At Frontdoor, we know you love getting things done around the house. Staying in control of your to-do list is easier when you can keep the small things from turning into bigger—and more expensive—ones. We’re here to make it easier to prevent problems instead of reacting to them. We help you gain the peace of mind that comes with staying on top of your home’s health.

Want to learn more about keeping your HVAC unit running smoothly, air conditioner maintenance, or anything else about keeping your house in great shape? Download the app if you haven’t already, and chat with a helpful, friendly Frontdoor expert.

Frontdoor assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.