If you compare your home to a living, breathing organism, it’s easy to think of the HVAC system serving as the respiratory system for your entire dwelling. Just as the respiratory system is important to the health of your body, your HVAC system is important to the health and comfort of your home. That’s why it’s important to have your HVAC system inspected on a regular basis so that any problems can be caught early, before they cause major damage that’s expensive to repair.
Inspect the Filters
One of the most important parts of regular HVAC maintenance and inspection is also one of the easiest to do on your own. Inspecting your furnace filter on a regular basis is crucial to ensure you replace it in a timely manner when it becomes dirty. A dirty air filter will reduce the air flowing through your system, meaning that less air is delivered to various rooms throughout your home and that the system has to work harder to pull air through. Both of these conditions can lead to plenty of discomfort and a short-lived HVAC system.
Inspect for Noises
If you notice any strange noises coming from your HVAC system, it’s important to have a qualified HVAC technician inspect your system as soon as possible. To be sure, the sounds may be a result of changing atmospheric or temperature conditions. On the other hand, the sound could by symptomatic of a developing issue which needs to be addressed. Either way, it’s good to know what’s going on with your system so you can run it when you need it without having to worry.
Inspect Regularly
Even if your system isn’t acting up, it’s important to have your system inspected and serviced on a regular basis. If it’s been a while, try doing some AC service today, it’s worth the preventative care. Typically, you’ll want to have a technician inspect your air conditioning in the spring and your furnace in the fall. This twice-yearly inspection ensures that the seasonally appropriate components of your HVAC system are ready to perform at their best, even in the most extreme temperatures. You definitely don’t want to risk your system breaking down when you need it most.
Inspect for Energy
At some point, even the best HVAC systems will need to be replaced. Fortunately, newer systems typically result in much lower energy usage, which can help offset the cost of the system, over time. While there are systems at multiple price points, of course, it’s important to purchase the best system you can afford, and then to have that system regularly maintained to ensure it lasts as long as possible.
It’s likely you don’t often give much thought to your HVAC system, as it’s one of those systems which, when operating properly, is fairly unobtrusive. Keeping a regular schedule of inspections and maintenance, however, will help you and your family stay comfortable throughout the changing seasons and help your system pass the test of time.
