Keeping up on regular maintenance of the HVAC system in your Glencoe, Illinois, home can make a big difference in the performance and efficiency through the years. Some of the most important tasks include regular filter changes, inspection of the outdoor unit, and routine maintenance by a professional HVAC technician.
Regular Filter Changes
As your heating and cooling system runs, it pulls air into the ducts to warm or cool it. When the air moves through the register into the furnace or air conditioner, the system pulls any dust, pollen, dander, and other debris in with it. The filter in your furnace stops these particles from moving into the ducts, but when your filter is clogged with debris, it can’t do its job properly. As a result, the ducts will fill up with those contaminants, which can lower the indoor air quality and cause allergic symptoms.
You should change your filter at least once every few months. If anyone does suffer from allergies in your home, change it more often and check your user’s manual to see if you can use a filter with a high MERV rating to filter out smaller particles. Don’t exceed the manufacturer’s recommended MERV rating on filters or you may damage your system.
Inspection of the Outdoor Unit
Another important monthly HVAC maintenance task is checking the outdoor unit. This is usually housed somewhere close to your home and looks like a metal box. When the AC is running, you’ll hear noises coming from the outdoor unit. Make sure to trim back any bushes and trees that might be growing close to the unit. It needs a few feet of clearance around it for proper airflow. Every few months, take a shop-vac or broom to clear out any dead leaves, grass, and other debris that might have fallen into the unit.
Routine Maintenance
While you don’t necessarily need to bring in an expert for routine maintenance every month, it is a task that you should keep up on at the start of each season. An HVAC technician will inspect the components and make sure your system is operating efficiently.
Schedule a routine cooling or heating service with our technicians at Ireland Heating & Air Conditioning Co. by calling 847-388-0108.
Image provided by Shutterstock
