The HVAC system is one of the top contributors to a comfortable indoor climate in your Raleigh home. It must run efficiently year-round, from sweltering summers to cold winters, to ensure that you and your loved ones remain comfortable indoors as well as while keeping the energy bills down. Regular maintenance will also prolong the life of your system and help reduce costly repairs. This guide highlights some essential heating and cooling maintenance tips for Raleigh homeowners to keep their HVAC systems running at peak performance.
Air filters should change every 1-3 months based on your system and conditions in your home. High efficiency filters are important for pet owners or allergy sufferers. Change the filters monthly during high-use periods, such as summer and winter, when your unit is running more often. Dirty air filters reduce airflow into your system or up your furnace to raise it's energy costs and wear and tear.
Regular professional maintenance provides the opportunity for your heating and cooling system to work efficiently while minimizing the risk of breakdowns. When to schedule:
Dirt, leaves, and debris will clog your outdoor condenser unit, resulting in reduced efficiency and overheating. Maintenance tip:
Your thermostat is critical in controlling your HVAC system's efficiency. Best Practices: 78° in summer and 68° in winter for energy savings with trust-best practices: 78° in summer and 68° in winter for energy savings; have a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures; change batteries each year to keep any sudden failures from happening.
The result of dirty or leaky ductwork is inefficient airflow, which causes inconsistent temperatures in your house and raises the energy bills. Maintenance Tip: Check the ducts for visible dust covering or leaks. Set up a professional duct cleaning every 3-5 years for a better air quality. Closing any duct leaks using mastic sealant or metal tape is also a great way to prevent energy loss.
The heating and cooling systems can be turned on a little before the anticipated extremes of temperature so that any potential things that could go wrong can be addressed in time. What to do:
Blocked vents and registers can restrict airflow, making your system work harder than necessary. Best practices:
If your energy bill suddenly increases, it may point to an HVAC problem. Symptoms of a problem:
If suspicion arises, call an inspector for inspection.
Unusual sounds produced by the HVAC system could sign that some of its components are worn out or failing. The following sounds are common, and their meanings are discussed:
If you hear such noises, promptly book a service appointment to avert a worse problem.
Most HVAC companies provide maintenance plans that include regularly scheduled visits, top priority services, and savings on repairs. Advantages of a maintenance plan:
Your HVAC system should be professionally serviced twice a year--once in spring for your cooling system and again in fall for your heating system.
Clogged filter, refrigerant leak, broken thermostat, or faulty ductwork might be the reasons. An expert inspection will point out and fix the problem.
Basic things are manageable, such as changing the air filters, cleaning vents, and checking the thermostat settings. After that, most electrical-related matters and refrigerants would need an expert for maintenance.
Regular maintenance usually will cost from $75 to $200 per visit, while most companies offer annual maintenance plans that help save money through scheduling.
If the system is older than 10-15 years, needs frequent repairs, or is inefficient in energy consumption, it is likely that a newer model would be more cost-effective in the long run compared to repairing it.
Maintain a regular check-up for heating and cooling to ensure a comfortable energy-efficient home. Do it now rather than wait for a breakdown; schedule your HVAC maintenance service with JW Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC in Raleigh!
Call us right away at (919) 348-9399 to make your maintenance appointment! Visit our website for more information on our maintenance plans and HVAC services.
1. Change Air Filters Regularly
Air filters should change every 1-3 months based on your system and conditions in your home. High efficiency filters are important for pet owners or allergy sufferers. Change the filters monthly during high-use periods, such as summer and winter, when your unit is running more often. Dirty air filters reduce airflow into your system or up your furnace to raise it's energy costs and wear and tear.
2. Schedule Seasonal HVAC Maintenance
Regular professional maintenance provides the opportunity for your heating and cooling system to work efficiently while minimizing the risk of breakdowns. When to schedule:
- Spring: AC tune-up before the summer heat arrives.
- Fall: Furnace inspection before winter temperatures drop.
3. Clean Your Outdoor Unit
Dirt, leaves, and debris will clog your outdoor condenser unit, resulting in reduced efficiency and overheating. Maintenance tip:
- Remove leaves, dirt, and debris from around the unit.
- Trim vegetation at least two feet away from the system to allow proper airflow.
- Wash the condenser coils with a hose to remove dust buildup.
4. Check Your Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat is critical in controlling your HVAC system's efficiency. Best Practices: 78° in summer and 68° in winter for energy savings with trust-best practices: 78° in summer and 68° in winter for energy savings; have a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures; change batteries each year to keep any sudden failures from happening.
5. Inspect and Clean Air Ducts
The result of dirty or leaky ductwork is inefficient airflow, which causes inconsistent temperatures in your house and raises the energy bills. Maintenance Tip: Check the ducts for visible dust covering or leaks. Set up a professional duct cleaning every 3-5 years for a better air quality. Closing any duct leaks using mastic sealant or metal tape is also a great way to prevent energy loss.
6. Test Your HVAC System Before Each Season
The heating and cooling systems can be turned on a little before the anticipated extremes of temperature so that any potential things that could go wrong can be addressed in time. What to do:
- Run your AC in the spring for a test cycle.
- Turn on your furnace in the fall before colder weather arrives.
- Listen for unusual noises or weak airflow, and schedule a service appointment if needed.
7. Keep Your Vents and Registers Clear
Blocked vents and registers can restrict airflow, making your system work harder than necessary. Best practices:
- Keep furniture, rugs, and curtains away from vents.
- Vacuum vents regularly to remove dust buildup.
8. Watch Your Utility Bills
If your energy bill suddenly increases, it may point to an HVAC problem. Symptoms of a problem:
- Energy bills rise when nothing is used.
- Your system takes longer to reach the desired temperature.
- There is inconsistency in heating or cooling in different rooms of your home.
If suspicion arises, call an inspector for inspection.
9. Hear Some Weird Noises
Unusual sounds produced by the HVAC system could sign that some of its components are worn out or failing. The following sounds are common, and their meanings are discussed:
- Rattling: Loose parts or debris in the system.
- Squealing: Issues with belts or motors.
- Banging: Possible mechanical failure.
If you hear such noises, promptly book a service appointment to avert a worse problem.
10. Think About a Maintenance Plan for HVAC
Most HVAC companies provide maintenance plans that include regularly scheduled visits, top priority services, and savings on repairs. Advantages of a maintenance plan:
- They ensure your heating and cooling systems get serviced twice for tune-ups every year.
- They catch minor issues at the time they would need expensive repairs.
- They do more to prolong the life of your HVAC system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heating and Cooling Maintenance in Raleigh
1. How often should the HVAC system be serviced?
Your HVAC system should be professionally serviced twice a year--once in spring for your cooling system and again in fall for your heating system.
2. Why is my HVAC system running but not really heating or cooling?
Clogged filter, refrigerant leak, broken thermostat, or faulty ductwork might be the reasons. An expert inspection will point out and fix the problem.
3. Can I perform maintenance on the HVAC myself?
Basic things are manageable, such as changing the air filters, cleaning vents, and checking the thermostat settings. After that, most electrical-related matters and refrigerants would need an expert for maintenance.
4. What is the cost of HVAC maintenance in Raleigh?
Regular maintenance usually will cost from $75 to $200 per visit, while most companies offer annual maintenance plans that help save money through scheduling.
5. How do I know my HVAC system needs to be replaced instead of repaired?
If the system is older than 10-15 years, needs frequent repairs, or is inefficient in energy consumption, it is likely that a newer model would be more cost-effective in the long run compared to repairing it.
Schedule Professional HVAC Maintenance Today with JW Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC!
Maintain a regular check-up for heating and cooling to ensure a comfortable energy-efficient home. Do it now rather than wait for a breakdown; schedule your HVAC maintenance service with JW Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC in Raleigh!
Call us right away at (919) 348-9399 to make your maintenance appointment! Visit our website for more information on our maintenance plans and HVAC services.