Top 5 Tips for Fall HVAC Maintenance (PT 1)

Fall is the time to make sure your heating system is ready to go for the winter. When the first chilly weather hits, you want to be sure that your heating system will both turn on and that it will be operating efficiently so you do not blow your budget with unnecessary fuel costs. At Evenflow Mechanical, we recommend that you take the following steps before calling us to schedule a tune-up:

1. Fresh Filters

Prior to the start of heating season, install a new air filter if your system uses replaceable filters, or clean its filter if it does not. Dirty air filters can greatly reduce your systems efficiency and increase your energy costs. Mark the date for the next replacement or cleaning, 30 to 90 days depending on the filter type on your calendar. To keep yourself from procrastinating going to the store to buy replacement filters when the time comes, buy enough replacements to get you through heating season in the fall.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com

A Seasonal Guide To HVAC Maintenance

Fall

As summer comes to a close and the temperature starts to drop, now is the time have an HVAC specialist come out and inspect your furnace and heating system. The same principle applies here to heating as it did to cooling: beat the rush and try to prevent problems before they start. Furnaces, like any machine, require regular tune-ups. It is also a good time to make sure you have a stock of furnace filters, they usually go on sale at DIY stores around this time of year making it all the easier.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com

Energy-Saving Tips

These tips are designed to help you choose effective ways to reduce your energy bills. Some measures may not be relevant depending on climate, the age of your home and appliances, and past improvements made to your home.

Fast and Free

The average home spends hundreds of dollars a year on energy costs. But you can lower your energy bills and help save the environment at the same time!

Be a speedy chef

Nothing is more energy efficient for cooking than your microwave. It uses two-thirds less energy than your stove.

Push a button to wash your dishes

Surprise! Your dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand. Then let dishes air dry to save even more!

Fill up the fridge

Having lots of food in your fridge keeps it from warming up too fast when the door is open. So your fridge doesn't have to work as hard to stay cool.

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Contact an HVAC Professional to Perform a Yearly Tune-up

Just as oil changes are essential to keeping cars running properly, a yearly tune-up is an important part of air conditioner maintenance. You should perform all of the aforementioned tips to keep your AC running properly in addition to having an HVAC contractor come out once a year to perform preventive maintenance. Air conditioner tune-ups typically involve various tests to make sure that all of your unit's internal parts are functioning as they should. A contractor will also check your filter to make sure it's clean and charge your unit with refrigerant during a tune-up.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com

Adjust Your Thermostat According to Your Schedule

Believe it or not, your thermostat can play a great role in air conditioning maintenance. How? The more your AC runs, the more strain is put on the system. If you work during the day, you should set your thermostat at a higher temperature so that your AC will not run as much while you are gone. You can lower the temperature as soon as you get home. This reduces overall strain and AC use and also results in a lower energy bill at the end of the month. If you have a window unit, you should turn it off when you leave home since window units typically use more energy than outdoor units meant to cool entire homes. A window unit will cool a room in little to no time at all, so you won't have to sacrifice much in terms of comfort by simply shutting yours off when you are not around. To keep your home cooler while you are gone, close your curtains or blinds to block out the sun.

Many thermostats now come equipped with innovative technology that will allow you to program your thermostat to fit your exact needs. If you are lucky enough to have one of these in your home, use it to your advantage to optimize your system's usage and maximize its life over the long run.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com

Keep Your Unit Free from Obstructions

A common theme with home air conditioner maintenance is the importance of eliminating obstructions. Whether it's the filter or the coils, an obstructed AC will wear down quicker than it should. It's quite likely that your outside AC unit is surrounded by plants, shrubs, trees, or fencing. These can block your unit's air flow, so you want to make sure that there is at least one foot of free space between your unit and any other objects. The same holds true for an indoor unit. You want to keep it unobstructed, so avoid having curtains or drapes hanging over a unit while it is in operation.

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Another Part Essential to Cooling Maintenance - Air Conditioner Coils

Air conditioner filters are certainly important parts in the realm of air conditioner maintenance, but so are coils. If coils are not properly maintained and left unobstructed, your system will have to use more energy than it should to function properly. This could eventually lead to your system overworking itself and breaking down. The AC coils and fins on your outside unit can be cleaned rather easily with a standard broom and a garden hose. You can also use a nylon brush if you prefer. Wash the parts to get any obstructing elements off of them, such as leaves or other debris. While you may think that using a pressure washer will do a better job of cleaning the parts, you should never use one, as its strong spray could actually cause more harm than good. If you have an inside AC unit, you can clean it in a similar manner prior to installing it for the hot months and before storing it away for the cold months.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com

The Easiest Step in Air Conditioner Preventive Maintenance - Changing Your Filter

Even if you are not the most technical person around and have no experience working with AC parts, changing your filter is probably the simplest tip when it comes to air conditioning maintenance. The reason why changing your filter is so important is that you can reduce a lot of the burden on your system. An AC that has a filter that is clogged and full of dust or other particles will expend more energy than one with a clean filter. You can find replacement filters at home improvement stores or even at certain grocery stores. Most are inexpensive, but you need to make sure that you get the right match to fit your system. Once you have the replacement filter, installing it can take just a few minutes to complete. In the end, your AC will function more efficiently, which will lower your energy bill and extend its life. You will also reap the benefits of having cleaner air in your home. As for how often you should change your filter, doing it every month or every other month, depending on your personal preference, should be fine. The simplicity and low cost of changing your filter makes it a home air conditioner maintenance tip that you should definitely employ.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com