Each year when the days get shorter and the weather begins to cool, homeowners know it’s time to prepare their home’s heating and air conditioning system for the shift from cooling to heating their home. The first cold days of the season are busy for HVAC professionals as homeowners realize their system has issues. Don’t be left in the cold; schedule your HVAC maintenance in Jacksonville, Florida today!

Be prepared, by staying on top of your HVAC maintenance. There are steps you can take to prepare your system for fall and winter. These important maintenance tips can help save you money on energy costs, create energy efficiency, and keep your home’s temperature better regulated.

Replace the Air Filter

One of the easiest ways to maintain your HVAC system is by regularly replacing the air filter. It’s recommended to change or clean your air filter every one to three months. Depending on your home, you may need to change the air filter every month. If you have pets, smoke, or use a wood fireplace, the air in your home may be dirtier.

Clean air filters allow your HVAC system to work more efficiently to move air through your system and into your home. Clean air filters also help improve the air quality in your home, which can improve the health of your family.

Schedule Professional Maintenance

Regularly scheduled, professional HVAC maintenance is critical to the long-term health of your unit. Preventative maintenance helps to identify worn or broken components before they become a costly and damaging issue for your system. Also, air filters are commonly changed as part of most maintenance plans.

Extend the life of your HVAC system and lower your unexpected repair costs with preventative maintenance. Just like you take your car in for an oil change, you want to keep your HVAC system in good working order. This is especially true before the busy season begins after the first cold days.

Clean Air Vents

Before you turn your heat on for the first time in the fall, clean your air vents. There are many benefits to clean air vents, including reducing fire risks, improving air quality and increasing the energy efficiency of your HVAC unit.

Just like with clean air filters, when your vents are clean, your unit doesn’t have to work as hard to push air through your system. This allows your home’s internal temperature to be maintained with less effort by your HVAC unit. One easy way to clean your air vents is by simply vacuuming out your heat registers.

Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat is a programmable thermostat that can be controlled from your smartphone or another device. Smart thermostats have the technology to automatically adjust to your family’s lifestyle, like when you sleep or are away from home. Another benefit of a smart thermostat is the data collected on your heating and cooling patterns that can then be tracked and managed.

Smart thermostats help save on energy costs and keep your home more energy efficient. Most smart thermostats are moderately priced and pay for themselves over time with saved energy expenses. With heating and cooling making up almost have of most home energy bills, it’s smart to look for ways to save.

Cover Your Outdoor AC Unit

As you prepare to switch over to heat instead of the AC, make sure you properly turn off and protect your AC unit. Fall is a good time to purchase a new AC unit when demand is lower. If you know your air conditioner is failing, it may be a good time to replace it.

However, no matter the shape of your AC unit, you can extend its life by covering your outdoor component. This will help protect your outdoor component from collecting debris like falling leaves. It also protects your system from frost, rain and other bad weather.

Check for Air Leaks

If won’t matter that you have a modern and efficient HVAC system and thermostat if you have air leaks. Your system will have to work harder to maintain the temperature in your home. You can do a simple paper test to look for air leaks. Simply hold a thin sheet of paper near the suspected leak and see if air moves it.

Once you identify the air leaks, seal them with weatherstripping or caulk. By taking the time to look for and seal air leaks, you can save money on your energy bill and extend the life of your HVAC unit.

Monitor Your Energy Bill

One way to identify problems with your HVAC unit is by monitoring your energy bill. As was stated above, heating and cooling your home accounts for around half of your home’s total energy cost. If you notice a huge shift in energy costs, it may be a signal that your HVAC system isn’t working properly.

Schedule an HVAC inspection to identify any issues that may be causing a spike in your energy costs. This will save you money in the long run.

Consider Purchasing a New Unit

If your HVAC system is outdated, it may be time to consider purchasing a new unit. Newer HVAC systems are more energy efficient than older systems and can help lower energy costs. Also, some older units that use R-22 or Freon will no longer be able to replace the Freon because it is being phased out.

Don’t wait until your system breaks. Be proactive and increase your home’s energy efficiency with a new HVAC system.

Be Prepared!

Be prepared for fall and winter by maintaining the health of your HVAC system. The best way to prepare your system for the cooler weather is with preventable HVAC maintenance.

At J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing, we offer Preventative Maintenance Plans to help our clients keep their HVAC systems running smoothly. Contact us today to schedule HVAC maintenance in Jacksonville, Florida.

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