Maintaining an efficient residential HVAC system is key to keeping your energy costs down and enjoying a more comfortable home. When your heating and cooling system runs properly, you’re less likely to deal with unexpected air conditioning repairs and breakdowns that impact your comfort. Below are three ways to improve your system’s efficiency.

How to Improve Your HVAC System’s Efficiency

1. Replace Air Filters

It’s a simple task to change the air filters, but it’s also fairly easy to forget this step. The filter is designed to prevent dust, pet hair, debris, and other allergy-causing particles from entering the residential HVAC system and blowing through the ducts. As more unwanted contaminants accumulate, the unit has to work harder to keep your home comfortable. These pieces of debris can also aggravate symptoms of asthma and other lung conditions. Replace the filter at least every three months, or more often if you have a pet.

2. Maintain It Regularly

At a bare minimum, your HVAC contractor should inspect the system at least once a year, ideally before you turn the air conditioner on for the season. This is an opportunity for the technician to check the more intricate components of the indoor and outdoor units that you might not see. They can examine to see whether it’s running efficiently, check the refrigerant levels, or inspect whether the coils or ducts require repairs or replacements. Taking care of these issues now can help you avoid unnecessary breakdowns and sluggish performance that drives up your bills. 

3. Seal the Openings

Gaps around the home can cause significant air loss. If you live in an older home and find that you constantly need to adjust your thermostat to stay comfortable, it could be because air is escaping through small openings around doors, windows, and other vulnerable areas like outlets and pipes. Assess these areas and use caulking and weatherstripping to seal them up. That will prevent air loss and reduce your dependency on your residential HVAC system.
 

Are you seeking a trustworthy technician to resolve your residential HVAC system concerns? Turn to the team at Alleghany Highlands Mechanical Inc. Proudly serving clients throughout Covington, VA, the company offers a variety of services, including air conditioning and heating system repairs, along with heating and air inspections. Visit the website for more information, or call (540) 965-0767 to discuss your needs.