Top HVAC Tips For Homeowners To Get The Most From Your System

Does your HVAC system seem mysterious to you? Don’t worry! Rowell’s Services is here to help with this great article that will give the low-down on HVAC system maintenance!

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. It’s 3 systems in one (although not all homes have all 3 systems in place).

• There’s the Heating System, which is the furnace. It draws in fresh air, heats it and pushes that air through a filter and out into your house. Some homes have electric heat, others have oil heat and others have natural gas.
• There’s the Air Conditioning System, which is your air conditioner. It draws in fresh air, runs that air over cold coils, and then pushes that air out into your house. Some homes have a central air conditioning unit, others have a window AC unit that is not actually connected to your ventilation system (but just cools the air in the room), and some homes don’t have any air conditioning.
• There’s the Ventilation System, which includes your ductwork that runs through the walls, delivering hot or cold air to each room.

These 3 systems work together to make sure your home is as warm or as cool as you want. Some can be very complex (including special filters and programmable thermostats) and others can be very simple.

Here are some tips for at home HVAC maintenance to do with your system regularly:

1. Make sure your system runs from time to time. Use your sense of sight, smell, and hearing to detect anything unusual about your system. (Note: if you are starting your system up after a long time of not running, you may detect a very slight burning smell, which is probably a light accumulation of dust on the heating unit. If it disappears quickly, this is usually nothing to worry about, although you should call us if you are at all concerned.
2. Keep vents clear. There are intake vents where fresh air is drawn in, and exhaust vents where warmed or cooled air is pushed out. Keep these vents clear so you can create circulation throughout your home.
3. Have your air ducts cleaned regularly; Dirty ducts will distribute dust and allergens throughout the house and plug up your furnace filter. Clean ducts will move warmed or cooled air freely.
4. Clean your filters regularly (about every 1-3 months) and replace them regularly (about every 3-4 months) for maximum efficiency and the cleanest air.

Your HVAC system may seem like a complicated system but it’s really quite simple. It warms or cools the air, and it moves the air around your house, all so you can keep your family safer and more comfortable. Get to know your HVAC system and learn how to keep it running smoothly and you’ll enjoy it for a long time to come.