4 Mistakes Chicago Homeowners Make With HVAC Maintenance
As a Chicago homeowner, you should be familiar with how your HVAC system works. But if you only understand the basic controls of on and off, then you'll definitely run into technical issues later down the road. Your home's cooling and heating may be running smooth and efficiently today, but don't wait until something unfortunate happens especially if it could have been avoided. Here are 4 mistakes Chicago homeowners make with HVAC maintenance.
Forgetting To Change Your Air Filters
HVAC systems have air filters that help trap unwanted debris and purify the air coming into your homes. These are very important to routinely monitor and must be cleaned or replaced as often as necessary, varying from once or thrice a year depending on your unit and system usage. Failing to do so will clog up debris within your system and reduce your HVAC's efficiency.
Not Sticking To Routine Maintenance
Your HVAC system is like your body, it needs proper care and attention. Although not as often as we humans need, HVAC systems should still follow a set routine checkup. There are maintenance tricks you can do yourself without having to hire an expert technician. These are cost-efficient and are fairly easy to accomplish.
Simple things like:
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Cleaning the surroundings of your indoor/outdoor unit.
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Clearing your outside unit from any obstructions.
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Testing your thermostat by raising/lowering temperatures.
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Checking for open electrical wire, drain tube clog, and condenser leaks.
Being Too Thrifty For Professional Technicians
Just because you've taught yourself how to routinely inspect your HVAC system doesn't mean you don't need professional help. One inspection a year will do, even if professionals recommend going through it twice a year at the start of the cooler seasons. Make sure you only choose the best service available. Never trade-off good service for something you might regret down the road.
Closing Rooms/Vents To Be "Cost-Efficient"
This method probably worked years ago but in the modern era of central air and heating systems, the effect works in reverse. It makes your system work harder than it should and it raises your electrical costs. What you thought was a money-saving technique was actually emptying your wallet, so let's avoid this and just let the air free in your home.
Noticed your utility bills increasing? The problem may not be in your usage but in your HVAC system. With deterioration, it’s efficiency decreases overtime. There are other practices you can adopt to insure it works well and your desired room temperature is maintained throughout. Other tips you should look into are proper insulation, upgrading to a programmable thermostat as well as other innovative technological features, changing the air filters as recommended and trusting only licensed, reliable HVAC technicians.
If you’re in the Chicago area and are looking for professional help with your HVAC system, then you're in the right place. Give us a call at (630) 931-0123 and we'll gladly help you out. Contact us today to schedule your in-home consultation with a Romano Bros HVAC specialist.