If you live in Huntington Beach, the surrounding area, or really in any parts of California, then you know how intense the heat can get at times. That being said, the winter months can certainly bring a lot of chilly nights. That’s why any homes built recently are all going to utilize HVAC systems. HVAC is short for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. These systems are important for the reasons listed above, so taking care of them is important as well.
Taking Care of Your HVAC Systems
While most things related to HVAC need to be handled by a professional, there are definitely a few things you can keep an eye (and ear) on to ensure that the systems are running optimally. Here’s what you need to know about your HVAC systems and what sort of work is involved with their upkeep.
Have Annual Inspections
The HVAC system itself is quite an elaborate, since the actual ventilation runs throughout the building as a means to disperse either cool air or heat depending on what the thermometer is set to. Unless you’re a trained professional you probably don’t have the necessary knowledge to properly inspect your system. By calling a professional HVAC company, they’ll be able check out the different ventilation paths, the filters, and the other components to determine if they’re in the best condition for the upcoming season. Ideally, you should have your heating checked out at the end of the winter season, and your AC system checked at the tail end of the summer and warmer fall months. This way, the systems will be ready to use when the appropriate season starts and you won’t be scrambling to get them fixed if something isn’t working.
Clean Those Filters
Something that you can do on your own (with a bit of direction) is clean or replace the various filters around your home. As the AC and heating systems run, they filter the air to make sure that various contaminants and dust don’t enter your airspace. However, as the filters do this, they can become clogged, sometimes quite quickly. If the filters become too clogged, the HVAC system will need to work harder to push air through to hit the temperature you had set. You can also hear this. This means you’re expending more energy, which will show up on your utility bill. If you regularly replace those filters, or make sure the nearby ventilation is cleaned out, you’ll not only maintain the air quality, but also keep your energy costs down.
Get Repairs and Replacements When Needed
In situations when things aren’t working properly, professionals can quickly and efficiently replace any broken aspects of the system. There are so many different components, knowing which parts aren’t working properly can be difficult to decipher. They’ll be able to quote a possible repair, and give you an estimated timeline for completion. This way, if you need to reach out and get a second opinion, you’ll be able to do so totally informed. HVAC replacement isn’t going to be cheap, so make sure you have all the information you need before committing to one company.