Common HVAC Mistakes
May 14, 2024
Caring for your heating and air conditioning systems properly is an important factor that can extend their longevity and improve their efficiency. However, there are many common mistakes that even well-intentioned homeowners make that can affect the proper function of their HVAC systems. Knowing what these mistakes are and how to avoid them will ensure you are on track to enjoy efficient, problem-free heating and air conditioning for many years.
Ignoring Problems
One of the easiest ways to impair proper function of your HVAC system is to ignore problems when you notice them. Strange sounds, hot and cold spots, dusty rooms, and constant activation of your HVAC system may all seem like small annoyances, but they often indicate larger problems that will often grow if not addressed. Ignoring problems with your furnace and air conditioning can also affect heating and cooling efficiency, leaving you to pay higher-than-normal bills and perhaps even larger repair bills than would have been necessary if the problem had been fixed sooner. As soon as you notice a change in the way your HVAC system operates, contact a heating and cooling professional for an evaluation. The cost of small repairs is certainly worth it when you can enjoy a longer-lasting and more effective HVAC system.
Forgetting Maintenance
Every HVAC system needs regular maintenance and cleaning to perform at its best. It can be easy to forget maintenance tasks, especially if you perform them yourself. However, neglecting or forgetting maintenance for even one year can cost you up to 15-20% in efficiency, which will raise your energy bills and put unnecessary stress on your furnace or air conditioner. If you don’t perform HVAC maintenance yourself, talk to your heating and cooling service about scheduling biannual visits well in advance or calling you with reminders that service is needed. For homeowners who do perform much of their own HVAC maintenance, a reminder on a calendar, phone, or computer can ensure that this important task is not forgotten.
Letting Your System Fall Out of Date
While many older HVAC systems operate without a problem, letting your system get too far out of date may not be ideal. Making small upgrades as better technology becomes available will pay off over the long term without costing a significant amount upfront. If your home still uses a manual thermostat, consider replacing it with a digital/programmable one. This simple upgrade will not only make using your furnace and air conditioner much easier, it will save you money and improve the efficacy of your heating and cooling system. Additionally, keeping your HVAC system long past its useful lifetime can cost you more in the long run than choosing to replace it. As more energy-efficient appliances become available, replacing a system that is 10-15 years old or older with a new one can save you a great deal on your home’s energy consumption and heating and cooling costs.
Your Detroit heating and air conditioning specialist can help you avoid common HVAC mistakes to enjoy better performance from your home’s heating and cooling system. Take a look through our website to discover our full list of heating, cooling, and plumbing services, or read over to our blog for more helpful at-home tips to get the most from your air conditioner and furnace.