Answers to Your Most Frequent HVAC Questions.
Regular HVAC maintenance is crucial for keeping your home's heating and cooling systems in top shape. It's recommended to schedule preventive maintenance before each major season: once in spring for cooling and once in fall for heating. This helps catch any issues early, boosts efficiency, prevents costly breakdowns, and ensures comfort year-round. Plus, it saves you money in the long run and helps your HVAC equipment last longer.
The average lifespan of heating and cooling equipment typically ranges from 10 to 12 years. However, this can vary depending on factors such as the quality of the equipment, how well it's maintained, and how often it's used. With regular maintenance and proper care, you can maximize the lifespan of your HVAC system and ensure it continues to operate efficiently for years to come.
A humidifier brings plenty of perks for your health and home. It helps ease dryness-related discomfort like dry skin and scratchy throats by adding moisture to the air. Plus, it can ease respiratory issues like asthma and allergies and lower the risk of infections. On top of that, it safeguards your wooden furniture, makes your home feel warmer at lower temperatures, and reduces annoying static electricity. A humidifier is a simple way to boost comfort and health in your living space.
Yes, you can plant or garden around your outdoor unit, but it's important to do so with caution and proper planning to ensure the efficient operation and longevity of your HVAC system.
Replace the filters as often as instructed, but regularly inspect them. Most filters need to be changed every month. Dirty filters will limit the airflow and increase the cost of your utility bills.
If you'll only be gone for a short time or if it's very hot outside, you might want to set the thermostat a bit higher instead of turning it off completely. That way, you can still save energy without coming back to an uncomfortably warm house. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can easily schedule temperature adjustments based on your daily routine to maximize savings and comfort.
Finding the right size HVAC system for your home involves more than just considering its square footage. Factors like insulation, climate, and the number of people living in the house also play a role. It's best to have a professional HVAC contractor assess your home's specific needs to ensure you get the right-sized system. This helps avoid problems like inefficiency or insufficient heating and cooling. Consulting with an expert ensures your home stays comfortable and energy-efficient all year round.
Today's home come comfort system offer energy efficiency ratings up to 98% and a minimum 13 SEER rating. If, for example, you were to have a 13 SEER central air system installed today, you can expect to cut your home cooling costs by half assuming the system is properly sized and installed.
To check your indoor air quality, start by looking for visible signs like dust buildup or musty odors. You can also use an air quality monitor to measure pollutants. Pay attention to any allergy symptoms or health issues experienced indoors. Regular HVAC checks and professional assessments can also help. By using these methods, you can make sure your indoor environment is healthy and comfortable for everyone.
If you're the proactive type, you'll want to start checking out the latest in home comfort system when your current systems near the 10-year mark, since the average system lifespan is 10-12 years. Otherwise, you'll know it's time when the repairs start mounting, your heating and cooling costs defy belief, and/or if you need to adjust your thermostat up or down even more so than usual to reach the desired temperature.
