As the temperature outside starts to drop in the Mesa, AZ area, it’s time to prepare your Hvac system. Every homeowner wants to avoid their heating system malfunctioning when the temperatures outside are chilly. Preventive maintenance and routine service in the late summer to early fall can ensure your HVAC equipment is running efficiently and smoothly all winter long.

Scheduling Routine Maintenance

While there are a few maintenance tasks that you can take care of on your own (like changing out your Furnace filter), you’ll want to bring in the professionals once per year for a routine service appointment. An experienced technician will inspect all the various components of your HVAC system, determining if there’s anything that needs to be cleaned, repaired or replaced.

A lot of wear and tear on your HVAC system takes place from one year to the next. Very minor issues can arise, eventually leading to major problems. It’s important that a professional can spot these issues and fix them before they lead to a catastrophic breakdown that is expensive and time-consuming. Not to mention, properly maintained heating equipment tends to run more efficiently, saving you money on your monthly utility bills. You may get more years out of your furnace with ongoing maintenance.

Furnace Replacement

The air filters that are in your furnace should be changed every 30 to 90 days, depending on the type of filter that you’re using. These filters are responsible for trapping particulates such as pet dander, dust, pollen, dirt and mold spores before they make their way into the inner components of your equipment. As particulates settle on the interior connections of your heating equipment, this can lead to your system being overworked. This can reduce the life span of your furnace and decrease its efficiency.

Furnace filters also help improve your indoor air quality by removing contaminants from the air you’re breathing each day. If you haven’t recently changed your filter, it’s a good idea to swap it out for a new one before you start to run your furnace to address the fall and winter chill in Mesa. Consider upgrading your filter to something that will trap more particles. Filters that incorporate carbon into their design can even reduce odors from your indoor air, so your home smells fresher.

Cleaning the Interior of Your Furnace

Furnace cleanings are meant to be completed by professionals who understand the inner workings of your HVAC system. By cleaning all of the interior areas of your furnace, blower motor, air handler, etc., you can protect your equipment from coming into contact with these particulates during operation. This can also increase efficiency and improve indoor air quality.

During the process of cleaning the interior of your furnace, a professional will get a firsthand look at various electrical connections and parts. They will determine if anything is showing signs of damage or wear and tear.

Inspecting and Servicing Ductwork

Ductwork is responsible for moving conditioned air to different areas of your home so you can experience comfortable living conditions. This ductwork can eventually become cracked or damaged, leading to lost air flow. This raises your utility bills by forcing your HVAC system to work harder to keep up with your preset temperature.

Ductwork repair includes sealing up gaps and cracks that are present. However, your HVAC technician may advise you to replace parts of your ductwork if it has reached the end of its life expectancy and is no longer serviceable. On average, ductwork lasts anywhere from 20 to 25 years.

Thermostat Service

The thermostat that is hooked up to your HVAC system serves as the control panel for all of the heating and cooling equipment in your home. Whenever you’re about to switch from one heating or cooling function to another, it’s a good idea to have your thermostat checked out.

Though your thermostat is wired to your heating and cooling equipment, there is a battery that powers its screen and buttons. You should get into the habit of changing these batteries once per year. It’s also ideal that a professional inspect your thermostat to confirm that it is calibrated properly. Just being off by one or two degrees can make a major difference in the comfort level of your home.

You may want to consider changing the schedule that your thermostat is programmed for. Most thermostats are equipped with the ability to change their temperature, whether you’re home or away from the house. If you have the temperature drop a few degrees in the winter while you’re away from home, this can save you quite a bit of money on your monthly bills. You can have the temperature adjust back to something more comfortable when you’re going to be arriving home. This is also a great feature to utilize if you’re going on a trip and will be away from home for a number of days. You can keep your home warm enough that nothing goes wrong with your plumbing system, but you can save some money as well.

Protecting Your Air Conditioner

If you anticipate your air conditioner being out of service for the fall and winter months, you should take some steps to properly winterize your unit and protect it from inclement weather and debris. Make sure that your outdoor air compressor is clear of any branches, grass, weeds and garbage. Take a peek inside the top or sides of the unit to confirm it’s clear. Some units benefit from being partially or completely covered. You can speak with your HVAC technician to determine if this is something you should do to your air conditioner to protect it from ice and debris.

Make sure you trim back any vegetation that is growing around your air conditioner. You should repeat this process in the spring before you start to cool your home.

Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If something were to malfunction inside your furnace, this could lead to a leak of carbon monoxide into your home. This deadly gas can be detected using a carbon monoxide detector, which should be installed in your home. If you don’t have any, make sure you invest in a few. Just like your smoke detectors, you’ll need to replace the battery of your carbon monoxide detector once per year. You should also press the button on the unit that tests to see if the detector is working properly. Just be ready for a loud noise when you do so.

Scheduling Routine Service for Your HVAC System

Before the cold weather arrives in Mesa, reach out to Honest Air Conditioning for more information on scheduling routine service for your HVAC system. It’s a good idea to take care of this service early on, so you can confirm that you’ll be comfortable and cozy all winter long. Honest Air Conditioning can also address the installation and service of air conditioning systems, furnaces, heat pumps and more. We can also perform a routine indoor air quality assessment to see if there are any improvements that can be made to increase the health and safety of your home.

Reach out to Honest Air Conditioning today for more information.

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