After an especially hot summer season in San Antonio, autumn is finally here. Although the new season just started, colder weather is just around the corner. Now is a great time to start preparing your AC unit before switching it from Cool to Heat.
Air Clinic SA understands that calling for annual HVAC maintenance can be easy to forget, so we’ve compiled a list of easy-to-follow DIY tricks to help you keep your AC unit in optimal shape until the professionals are able to deliver HVAC maintenance to your system.
Change Out Air Filters
The quickest and most simple way you can keep your HVAC system working as efficiently as possible is by changing your air filters. This is especially important to do after spring and summer, when pollen levels are at their highest. Your unit has already been put to good use throughout these seasons, so if you don’t change your filter by the end of them then it’ll only end up working harder than it needs to. This not only uses up more energy which can result in a higher energy bill but could also damage your unit in the long run.
If you want to minimize potential HVAC problems this winter or for the coming spring, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends you change your air filters every month. At the very least, every three months.
Seal Air Leaks
Air leaks might not seem very serious, but as it gets colder outside, they’ll start to feel like they are. Energy experts estimate that having multiple air leaks in an average house is similar to leaving a medium-sized window open 24 hours a day! Not only is this a major waste of energy that can spike your energy bill, but it will leave your home feeling chillier than it should be no matter how much you turn up the heater.
Some places to check for air leaks include:
- Under doors or door frames
- Near windows
- Around gas pipes
- Around an outdoor faucet
- Duct registers
- Crawl spaces
- Attic
- Wiring holes
- Plumbing vents
One inexpensive way to repair leaks is by simply using caulk. This is best for areas where plumbing or electrical wires come through walls, floors or ceilings. If your leaks are coming from windows or doors, however, then simply replacing the weather stripping should do the trick!
Check Your Furnace
Before you put your heater to work during the winter, take some time to spruce it up before or during the fall. You likely haven’t used your heater in months, so it wouldn’t hurt to clean any accumulated dust or change your furnace filters. Make sure to also move any items you have stored around your furnace so that nothing can catch fire. If you are uncertain whether your heater could be at risk for fire, it is always best to contact a professional HVAC team to help.
Clean Outdoor Unit
As we all know, once fall arrives, so do dead leaves and other debris. And once winter weather arrives, we’re less likely to leave the warmth of our homes to clean our yards, much less our outdoor units. This is why fall is the ideal time to get it done. Take the time to clear out any dead leaves, dirt, overgrown grass or twigs that have gathered around your unit. This will prevent any of those items from getting inside your unit and causing costly damages later on.
Schedule Heater Maintenance
If you’re looking for a more detailed inspection before winter hits, then contacting a professional HVAC technician is the best way to go. Our technicians at Air Clinic SA are typically busy during the winter months due to emergency calls, so fall is the ideal time to check if your unit is working adequately. Call us today for all of your HVAC concerns or needs!
