The transition between summer and fall can be more significant than you think: temperatures drop, leaves change color and air pollutants increase. Unfortunately, one thing that homeowners often fail to consider is their home comfort system.
When an HVAC problem creates a temperature imbalance in your home, this can wreak havoc on your HVAC system. This is because your heating and cooling systems will have to work harder to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the house. If this is the case, you may see increased utility bills, and more frequent equipment maintenance and troubleshooting of the AC system may be required. You may even experience premature equipment breakdowns. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can implement to keep the temperature changes in your home under control.
1. Make use of drapes, shutters or blinds. When the temperature outside is very hot or excessively cold, closing your window treatments can help. They can operate as a dehumidifier for the ambient temperature. Open your window curtains on particularly sunny days during the winter to let the sunlight in.
2. Consider installing a zoning system. For larger homes, zoning systems are beneficial – and even necessary – because there are likely to be some areas of the house that aren’t used as frequently as others. With a zoning system, you can set different temperatures for different regions of your house, such as the upstairs and downstairs, or the wings that aren’t utilized as much.
3. A ductless unit can help. Ductless systems can help to balance temperatures in your house, making it more energy-efficient and improving the performance of your heating or air conditioning replacement system. This is especially true if you have a converted attic, completed basement or addition that isn’t connected to your home’s ductwork.
You can match the temperature in the parts of your home that are cooled and heated by your central HVAC system by installing ductless cooling and heating, which reduces the workload on your central HVAC system.
4. Set the thermostat at night to the predicted temperature. When the weather’s nice, switching your thermostat to heat at night may seem like a bad idea, but since the temperature falls at night, setting the thermostat to turn on when it gets cold is your best bet for staying comfortable. This way, you won’t wake up freezing.
5. Check for blocked vents. All kinds of items, from dirt, dust, pet hair and debris to more nasty things like insects and rodent droppings or nests, can block your home’s vents over time. If you notice poor airflow from a vent in one of your rooms, it’s likely that it needs to be checked for a clog. Your AC repair professional can assist you in keeping your vents and ducts clean.
6. Let the thermostat do the work. Installing a programmable or smart thermostat is one of the best methods for maintaining constant home comfort while also lowering energy expenditures. These thermostats can be programmed to maintain pre-set temperatures throughout the day, seven days a week.
You also don’t have to keep an eye on the weather and try to forecast it. Your thermostat will automatically change the temperature according to the preferences you set.
7. Purify your units. Whether you have a furnace, heat pump or multifunctional unit, scheduling and performing some seasonal DIY cleaning is critical. This task is simple to complete and is an excellent method for increasing the effectiveness of your unit and preparing for cold weather. You can easily clean and improve the operation of your system, and a professional air conditioning replacement technician can optimize the device for optimal output.
8. Change the filter. Change your filter when the seasons change. This will decontaminate your HVAC system, ductwork and home, and will also prepare your system for seasonal changes. It takes only five seconds, and can enhance your air conditioner’s output by 15%. The convenience and overall benefits should be sufficient to convince anyone that clean filters are a necessity in any home.
9. Begin to warm up your heating system. Regular use of your home comfort system is beneficial since it keeps the motor warmed up and the system loose. Cars, appliances and even the human body follow the same logic. Idleness is never healthy for anyone or anything, so your HVAC system may take a while to get back to normal after a long period of inactivity. That’s why you should start operating your heating system to get it warmed up for winter, if you haven’t already. This way, it will be ready to go when the time comes!
10. Regular maintenance will help you stay prepared. Maintaining the condition of your HVAC system will help to assure your comfort. Furnace and AC repair, cleaning and maintenance should be scheduled and performed on a regular basis to ensure this happens.
Everything operates more smoothly and efficiently and problems are less likely to occur when loose parts are tightened and moving parts are well-oiled. Dust and other particles in the air can quickly accumulate, so change your filter as needed.
11. Make sure the windows and doors are sealed properly. If you notice a draft or cold air in one of your rooms, it’s likely that the door or one of the windows in that room isn’t properly sealed. Lighting a candle and holding it near them is an easy technique to check if outside air is entering your space through a poorly-sealed window or door. If the flame moves away from that particular unit, air is likely entering your home at that spot.
The most important thing to remember about fall is that it’s a transitional season between summer and winter, when you have the opportunity to complete certain basic home maintenance tasks to ensure that your HVAC system adapts to the changing weather with ease.
Consider what it would be like if it was summer and temps were in the 90s one day and freezing the next. That would make life difficult for your HVAC system function optimally, so be grateful for and take advantage of the fall season.
Since 1979, Air Products & Services has been servicing the local community. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including AC system troubleshooting , maintenance and repair.
Call us at (818) 875-7231 or fill out our contact form to request a free consultation. We serve customers in Tarzana, CA, and the surrounding areas.