As a responsible home or business space owner, you may already know that one of the wisest sayings that are most applicable to you is that prevention is infinitely better than cure. You definitely save on money and effort if you act on preventive measures instead of looking for solutions such as repairing things when they are already not working. Such is very true when it comes to your HVAC system. Your unit needs to be maintained properly for it be function effectively, or else you will subject yourself to way more expensive costs when the time comes that it suddenly goes out of order.
HVAC system maintenance usually involves checking its parts like the outside unit, the filters, the ductwork, and such. A good number of these activities may need the expertise of professionals who know their way around HVAC systems and have the qualifications and know-how to advise you on what to do should there be concerns regarding your system. Does this mean that you will just need to rely on the pros when it comes to every aspect of your HVAC system? Not really. Here are some things you can do as a regular homeowner that you can do. Take note that these things don’t even require handyman skills, so you should be good to go.
Basic DIY Task #1: Air filter checking
Another integral part of an AC system is an air filter. Well, you might argue that they air filters are not really as essential as the most integral parts of an AC system are, such as the compressor, condenser, evaporator, refrigerant, ducts, and even the thermostat. But for everyone who lives in the city or in fact, any place with questionable air quality, air filters also serve a very important purpose. They have the difficult task of removing impurities from the air that goes through your AC system. Thus, having the right air filter can have a dramatic impact on the air quality your AC system provides. (Via: https://www.aircheckms.com/ac-repair/hvac-air-filters-the-unfiltered-truth/)
Basic DIY Task #2: Check your AC system’s outside unit.
Since this part of your unit is outside, you may, as most homeowners, overlook it. Don’t discount it though, as it plays a crucial role in the proper airflow through your space. Since it is located outside, it is exposed to the elements, so dust, leaves, branches, and other things outdoors may get stuck to it, so free it from that debris so it can run more efficiently.
There are two main indications to know that the outside unit of the split AC system has stopped working. You won’t find any sound at all. No matter how silent your split AC system is, you will always hear a little hum when the outdoor compressor kicks in. If the system doesn’t produce any sound at all – even when the compressor is supposed to kick in – you should know that something is wrong with the outdoor unit. Another indication is the blowing of warm air from the indoor unit. During summer months, if the indoor unit blows warm air, it’s an indication of a problem with the outdoor unit.
(Via: https://alltimeairconditioning.com/2019/09/10/how-to-fix-outside-ac-unit-not-running-but-inside-is/)
Basic DIY Task #3: Monitor the workings of your thermostat.
If your HVAC unit may be underperforming, one of the first things you should do is monitor your thermostat. Try setting it and see if there are adjustments to the room’s temperature. If there is none, then that’s a sign that your HVAC unit is malfunctioning. Also, to help your thermostat, keep your settings constant. Making constant fluctuations to your temperature settings can lead to problems for your HVAC system. Of course, it also might be that your thermostat isn’t working properly;y because its battery juice has run out, so all you might need after all is a simple battery change.
Position yourself by the thermostat and have an assistant stand next to the furnace. Change the thermostat setting to heat. Use a set of walkie-talkies to communicate between the furnace and the thermostat if necessary. A furnace responds immediately to a thermostat, while an A/C unit may have a delayed response.
(Via: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/check-home-ac-thermostats-43967.html)
Basic DIY Task #4: Lower utility bills by understanding your system’s workings.
Saving on utility bills is always a good idea for homeowners. There may be understandable fluctuations when it comes to your utility bill during the summer and winter when you heavily use your HVAC system, but when it’s your system’s “off-season” and the bills are still increasing, you might want to look at what is causing these increases. If you didn’t implement huge changes like getting a new home entertainment system or new PCs for the family, the culprits may usually be a malfunctioning fridge or an ill-maintained HVAC system.
Grimy AC filters can contribute to a system working overtime. Air conditioning company Daikin says that replacing and cleaning your air conditioning’s filter is essential to a healthy, well-maintained system—which saves you money in the long run.
(Via: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-ways-to-save-energy-when-ai-120022)
