Seasonal changes mean we have different demands for our HVAC system. San Diego is known for its mild year-round weather, but anyone who lives here knows we have plenty of scorching days in the summer and chilly weather in the fall and winter. Your heating and air system can come to your rescue, keeping your home comfortable throughout the seasons. Your HVAC works overtime on those brutally hot days to keep you, your family, and pets nice and cool indoors. And when there’s a cold chill, nothing beats being able to turn on your HVAC to keep your home warm and cozy.
HVAC systems undergo a lot of stress, especially at peak usage times in the year. This added labor means wear and tear on your heating and cooling system. However, homeowners who want to get the highest efficiency and reliability out of their systems should perform routine maintenance to keep them in tip-top shape. Regular seasonal HVAC maintenance is essential, but luckily only needs to happen twice a year!
Are you curious about what you can do to make sure you’re getting the most out of your HVAC system? We’ll discuss some practical HVAC tips for all seasons. When you put these HVAC tips to use, you’re doing your part in ensuring your HVAC system operates smoothly all year.
Ready to learn some valuable HVAC tips?
HVAC Maintenance Tips for Fall and Winter
Waking up or coming home to a freezing home is never fun. That’s why you have an HVAC system. But if you want to avoid any repairs, you’ve got to maintain it. By following these HVAC tips for the winter, you can avoid having to call a professional to service your HVAC.
Schedule Professional HVAC Maintenance
The best place to start is to schedule professional HVAC maintenance and inspection. A certified technician will perform safety checks to ensure your HVAC system is ready to handle winter stress. During the inspection, the technician can identify potential problems and recommend what to do next, like repairs or replacements. Ideally, the inspection should be scheduled as a part of your fall HVAC maintenance schedule.
Insulate Your Home
When it’s cold outside, the draft can make its way inside your home, making it chilly and uncomfortable. Drafts typically make their way inside via gaps in the windows and doors. You can quickly remedy this by insulating your home. To do this, seal the gaps with weather stripping or caulk and keep your household comfortable by retaining the warmth your HVAC system creates.
Change the Air Filters
Changing the air filters in your HVAC system can help it run smoothly. This is one of those HVAC tips for winter and fall that homeowners often overlook. However, it should be a part of your HVAC maintenance schedule. Here’s why. Clogged or dirty air filters force your system to work harder, meaning it consumes more energy. Replace your air filters regularly if you use your HVAC system often in the winter.
Ensure the Vents are Clear
Blocked ducts can put strain on your HVAC and lead to uneven heating. If you have floor vents and registers, ensure rugs, furniture, or curtains aren’t blocking them.
Program Your Thermostat or Have One Installed
One of the best ways to save energy and maintain comfort in your home is with a programmable thermostat. You can program the unit to adjust the temperature around your needs and schedule automatically. Don’t have a thermostat? No worries! We offer a range of options, including Smart thermostats that not only save energy but also ensure the comfort level inside your home remains optimal. Our service includes installation, thorough explanation of all features, and complete setup for our customers.
When you put these HVAC tips into practice, you’ll be able to enjoy comfort and savings and help your HVAC system work efficiently. Is it almost time to replace your furnace? You can read about the signs here, and if they sound familiar, call us for expert installation.
Pro Tip: since you’ll be indoors with windows shut, check your carbon monoxide detector. Replace the batteries if needed; if the unit is over ten years old, replace it.
HVAC Maintenance Tips for Spring and Summer
Summertime in San Diego is awesome. Having a non-functional HVAC system during the peak summer months is not. The good news is that HVAC maintenance in spring can ease your worries and keep you cool during the hot summer months. Spring HVAC maintenance prepares your system for what’s about to come: heat waves! An HVAC tune-up is essential to prevent breakdowns and ensure optimal performance when you need cooling the most.
Fortunately, many of the same HVAC tips you use in fall and winter can be applied to the spring and summer months, such as regularly changing your air filters to improve airflow, insulating your home by sealing gaps, and ensuring vents aren’t blocked. We cover more HVAC tips for spring and summer below.
Clean the Condenser Coils and the Entire HVAC System
Outdoor systems accumulate debris and dirt quickly, affecting your AC’s performance. If shrubs and vegetation surround your HVAC system, prune them so they don’t block airflow. Clean the fan blades and condenser coils and look for wear and tear.
Adjust the Thermostat to Summertime Settings
Summer schedules tend to be much different than winter. The kids are outside more; you’ll sleep later or travel more. A Smart programmable thermostat can provide energy savings and keep your home at a comfortable temperature that makes the whole household happy. Wi-Fi thermostats allow you to program your AC while you’re away, so you won’t be worrying about whether you set the thermostat at a lower setting that will raise your energy bill or if you’ll be returning to a scorching hot home.
Pro Tip: feeling sticky inside your own home is uncomfortable. Invest in dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture to keep those high indoor humidity levels at bay.
Bill Howe offers affordable regular HVAC maintenance and tune-up plans you can count on. No one does it better when it comes to HVAC service and installation. And you know you can always call us for plumbing or restoration and flood needs! Call 1-619-268-6299 or schedule service online via our chat function or “Book Now” button!
