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Heating And Cooling Guide – 6 Things To Check Before You Call A Professional

Have you ever gotten an outrageous heating and cooling bill? Or had your heater broken down on the coldest day of the year? This can be one of the most frustrating parts of owning a home. Wouldn't it be nice if some kind of heating and cooling guide to help you better prepare yourself for these future situations? Well, this quick guide will provide you with six things you should check before calling for a professional HVAC service. It's important to note that these are all things everyone needs to check, not just those living in a home without central air conditioning or heat. Even those with expansive homes containing their own chillers for air should still perform all six steps below. 



Remember, the first step is to make sure you need new equipment. You can also call a professional to assess your system and tell you if it's time to replace it.

Get an honest estimate of your heating and cooling costs

The first step before doing anything else is getting an honest estimate on what it will cost to both heats and cool your home. You may be surprised at how much it will end up costing! If that's the case (especially as many recent studies show, such as this one from Harvard), then this should motivate you to take the rest of these steps seriously to save money.

Make sure air filters are changed regularly

Air filters stop dust and other debris from entering your air ducts and HVAC unit. When these filters get dirty, airflow can be restricted or stopped altogether. This means that instead of passing through the system to provide comfort to the home's occupants, hot or cold air will stay in your furnace or AC unit, where it will quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures. The good news is that you don't have to check these filters yourself manually. They are typically easy for professionals to spot while doing annual maintenance work anyway, so this should be a red flag for you if they aren't changed regularly!

Flush out condensate drain lines once every two years

If you have central air conditioning in your home or even if you have a window unit, then it has a condensate drain line. This is a tube that runs from the AC to a drain outlet outside of the home. The idea behind this system is that when moisture builds up in the lines, it can be safely drained away instead of being allowed to puddle around the unit.

Make sure your drip pans are empty and free of debris

Drip pans (also called "drip legs") direct water away from your furnace or air conditioning unit and towards an appropriate drain where it cannot damage anything. They typically do this by having two separate sections: one higher than the other. Colder air sinks while warmer air rises, and each section collects its respective condensation. These drip pans need to be checked and emptied so they can continue to protect your HVAC unit from water damage. For this reason, it's also a good idea to check the units themselves periodically for leaks too! If you see any, you will want to take action immediately to avoid costly repairs or replacements later on.

Double-check your ductwork and vents

The heating and cooling system in your home is only as strong as its weakest link; this includes everything from the airflow in the ducts, right down to the air quality leaving various room vents around the house. You need to make sure that there aren't any places where this could become restricted, or if there are such blockages, you need to get them unblocked. You also want to make sure that your home's airflow is facing the right direction. This means getting rid of any kinks in the line and ensuring no one turned off anything like dampers or vents by accident. If you're unsure, talk with a professional once more before calling them out.

Check your entire system for signs of wear

Finally, when everything has been checked and double-checked, it's time to inspect your central heating and cooling completely from top to bottom. Look up at all exposed ductwork in the ceiling, paying attention to areas where there may be excessive moisture even when no leaks are present, which is a sign of poor installation or defective ductwork. Also, check all exposed pipes and valves for signs of wear or leaks. Leaks are one of the most common problems homeowners face with their heating system, so you want to make sure that they've been given the attention they need if any are present.

In conclusion, a heating and cooling system provides warmth and cool air to the occupants of a home, often through forced air. If these filters get dirty or airflow becomes restricted, it can lead to hot or cold air staying in your furnace or AC unit, where it will build up and increase temperatures dangerously. These filters should be checked at least once per year, and the condensate drain lines (if you have central AC), drip pans (if you have central AC), ductwork vents, and the home's entire HVAC system. Make sure that airflow direction is correct; if it isn't already, call a professional if no signs of wear are present on any part of your HVAC unit. If everything passes your inspection, then it's time to call a professional like Livonia HVAC.

 

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