A vacation opens up new horizons and allows you to experience another culture. Before you delve into a world of delicious cuisine and stunning attractions, don’t forget to prepare your home before your journey. If you want to have a comfortable home environment when you return, you need to take advantage of the best HVAC maintenance tips.
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Importance of HVAC Maintenance Before Extended Travel
Before you leave for an extended trip, it’s important to take care of your HVAC system. The best HVAC maintenance tips can improve your energy efficiency and protect your home’s longevity.
With the best heater and AC maintenance, you can prevent the following problems from developing.
- Broken HVAC parts.
- Higher energy bills from clogged filters.
- Frozen air conditioners because of dirty evaporator coils.
- Mold growth from poor airflow and high humidity.
You won’t be in your home, but your AC and heater will still need to run while you’re gone. In general, you should set your thermostat no higher than 85 F in the summer and no lower than 50 F in the winter. By setting your thermostat to these temperatures, you can avoid mold growth, frozen water pipes, and other issues.
Creating a Home Maintenance Checklist
Before embarking on your next adventure, take some time to create a home maintenance checklist. You’ll be gone for an extended period of time, so it’s important to make a to-do list that is as comprehensive as possible.
The following examples are tasks you could add to your home maintenance checklist.
- Check your AC air filter and see if you need a replacement.
- Open all the vents in your house.
- Weed plants and remove debris from around your outdoor AC unit.
- Set your thermostat appropriately for when you’ll be gone.
- Schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment before traveling.
- Consider installing a smart thermostat, so you can monitor your home while you’re away.
- Empty the trash and remove open, perishable items from your fridge.
- Check and clean your gutters.
- Lock the windows.
- Let your alarm company know you’ll be gone.
- Consider shutting off your water to avoid burst pipes in the winter.
- Unplug unnecessary electronics to save electricity.
To keep your home in good shape, you may also want to have a monthly home maintenance checklist for ongoing maintenance and repairs.
Monthly HVAC Maintenance Tips
With these monthly HVAC maintenance tips, you can keep your home looking its best. It’s easy to forget your monthly checklist, so add it to your digital calendar or set aside the same day each month for the following monthly home maintenance checklist items.
- Inspect your thermostat.
- Clean HVAC vents.
- Check the air filters. You can clean and replace them as needed.
- Inspect the ductwork for leaks.
- Remove debris and weeds from around exterior units.
- Clean the evaporator drain.
Annual AC Maintenance
As a part of your house maintenance, you should plan on getting AC unit servicing at least once a year. If you notice repair issues, you can get your system inspected early.
Annual AC maintenance is extremely important for the optimal performance and longevity of your system. When servicing air conditioners, look for signs of damage. You can clean the coils, unclog the drain line, and check airflow.
Because many of these tasks require advanced mechanical knowledge, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your HVAC company. A professional HVAC technician can inspect your system and repair problems before they worsen.
Servicing Air Conditioners
When servicing air conditioners, HVAC technicians work through a checklist. Typically, they will inspect different HVAC parts for signs of wear and tear. They’ll test the thermometer’s calibration, clean the coils, and recharge the refrigerant.
While some AC unit servicing tasks can be handled by homeowners, others require advanced certifications and knowledge. Replacing a compressor, solving a refrigerant leak, and similar tasks should be left to a professional.
If a task is dangerous or legally requires special certifications, you should call a professional HVAC technician for help. You should also read your warranty to see if there are any specific rules about who can perform different maintenance tasks.
How to Service Your AC Unit
To learn how to service an AC unit, try using the following AC maintenance checklist.
- Clean your AC evaporator and condenser coils.
- Check refrigerant levels.
- Remove clogs from the drain channels.
- Clean and replace your AC filters.
- Check each room’s airflow and open vents.
- Straighten coil fins.
- Remove weeds and debris that are around the AC unit.
Choosing the Right AC Contractor
Through the best AC contractor near me, you can get help maintaining your home’s HVAC system. To find the right contractor, look for the following qualities.
- Years of experience.
- Excellent customer reviews and testimonials.
- Appropriate certifications and licenses.
- Warranties and guarantees.
- Hours and availability.
- Free estimates and consultations.
Prepare Your HVAC System Before Your Vacation
If you’re going on an extended vacation, you need the best HVAC maintenance tips to protect your home. You need to make sure your system doesn’t break down while you are away. By finding an AC contractor near me, you can schedule an appointment and get your HVAC system checked out.