Top HVAC Maintenance Tips for a Comfortable Home Year-Round

Your home's heating and cooling system isn't something you think about often until it's not working properly. However, with a few simple tips and routine residential HVAC services, you can maintain comfort and air quality while keeping your energy costs lower. Use these strategies to ensure your home is comfortable throughout the year.

Change Your Air Filters Regularly

Air filters minimize the amount of dust and debris entering your HVAC system, helping it operate more efficiently. It's recommended that you change your filter at least every three months, though doing so every month or two is best in areas with a high amount of dust, dander, or other materials. Those with allergies and asthma will benefit from more frequent changes as well. If you don't have time to handle these tasks, Equinox HVAC can take care of it for you. Ask us about a residential HVAC maintenance plan, so you never have to wonder when it's time to replace your filters.

Schedule Regular Professional Inspections with Equinox HVAC

With comprehensive residential HVAC services, we are always here when you need repairs. However, routine service on a consistent basis can help extend the life of your HVAC system while also improving home energy costs. Start with seasonal HVAC maintenance service, which means checking the heating system in early fall and the air conditioner in the spring, before the heavy-use season for each system. This ensures they work efficiently throughout the season.

Our team provides a comprehensive annual inspection of your HVAC system, which includes:

• Visual inspection of all working components

• Checking filters

• Checking both interior and exterior units for function

• Updating your thermostat settings

• Handling all manufacturer-specific heating and cooling requirements

We offer full residential and commercial inspections and repairs. No matter what your needs are, we can provide them.

Clean and Clear the Outdoor Unit

As you cut the grass during the summer or rake leaves in the fall, spot-check your outdoor unit. Make sure nothing gets caught in the system that could cause damage, and look for animal nests as well. If the mesh is clogged with debris, it limits the airflow, which means the system has to work harder, driving up energy costs. By keeping it clear routinely, you help keep your efficiency costs lower.

Check and Seal Ductwork

The ductwork around your home helps move heated or cooled air from the HVAC system into each room. Any gaps, openings, or misalignments allow air to escape, essentially wasting money. In fact, ENERGYSTAR.gov says sealing your heating and cooling ducts could save you as much as 20%. If you're considering the benefits of this task, let our team at Equinox HVAC tackle it for you. We can also provide a full inspection during a maintenance call to identify areas of opportunity.

Ensure Proper Thermostat Settings

If you haven't done so yet, consider upgrading your current thermostat to a smart or programmable version with help from our local HVAC experts in Vancouver. These devices work to reduce your overall costs by controlling the heating and cooling of your home more efficiently. Let us program or upgrade your thermostat this season so you can feel the difference. If you're just installing a system in your new home, we can help you set up the most efficient solution possible. Give us a call so we can let the experts handle the process for you.

Inspect and Clean Vents and Registers

Make sure all the vents and registers throughout your home are open and functioning well. If they are blocked, that room won't get the level of air it needs. For instance, if your living room is always hot and the air conditioner's vent is blocked by the couch, moving it could provide better comfort. Also, make sure nothing is blocking them. Items like toys or pencils can easily get caught in floor registers, while dust can collect on wall vents, slowing the air flow into and out of the space.

Monitor System Performance

If you hear something unusual, don't wait to call us for residential air conditioning repair services in Vancouver. We recommend doing so if you have any of the following concerns:

• Changes in the sound of the system

• Squealing sounds

• New odors

• A system that is constantly running

Put Our Residential HVAC Services in Vancouver to Work for You

When it comes to your system, we are the local HVAC experts in Vancouver. Get to know our team at Equinox HVAC, and let us keep your system operating at its best. Request a quote for service now.