4 Bad Air Conditioning Habits to Break This Summer

An HVAC system is one of the biggest investments that you’ll ever make for your home, so you’ll want to make it last. You should be able to get 15 to 20 years out of your central heating and cooling system with routine maintenance.

However, the way you operate your HVAC unit will go a long way toward determining how long it will last.

Here are some bad HVAC habits that you should break.

Tampering With Your Thermostat Too Much

Set it and forget it is the best approach when it comes to your thermostat. Unfortunately, many of us are guilty of constantly adjusting the temperature.

Your HVAC system works the hardest and uses the most energy during the startup process. Every time that you adjust the thermostat, your system has to recalibrate.

Besides that, turning it up higher doesn’t heat your home faster. Likewise, turning it way down doesn’t cool your home quicker.

Instead of bumping the thermostat up or down several times a day, simply program it. Your programmable thermostat allows you to set a schedule around your daily activities. The thermostat will default to a more cost-effective temperature while you’re away, then adjust to your desired comfort level later in the day when everyone is home. You can also program it for M-F and weekend modes.

Forgetting to Change the Filter

To get the maximum life out of your HVAC system, you should be changing your HVAC filter every month. A clogged filter makes your HVAC system work harder to heat or cool your home. This not only shortens the life of the system but also increases your energy bill.

To make matters worse, a dirty filter will eventually fail to catch the debris that your system pulls in. As a result, the debris will get into your system, which can cause damage to its more sensitive components.

Closing Interior Doors

Some homeowners believe that they can make their HVAC unit more efficient by closing interior doors or air vents to unoccupied rooms.

However, your air vents are strategically placed around your home to provide maximum circulation. When you close interior doors or shut vents, you block airflow, which strains your HVAC system. Instead, keep your interior doors open, and move furniture so that it doesn’t block your vents.

Neglecting Seasonal Tune-ups

Like any other mechanical system, your HVAC unit needs regular maintenance from a professional. Some homeowners think that they can save money by skipping seasonal tune-ups or do the maintenance themselves. In the end, these behaviors cost more money.

Only a skilled professional can spot the signs of wear and tear on your HVAC unit.HVAC maintenance and tune-ups are designed to catch small issues before they become major. Addressing problems early and keeping your system clean can extend its life and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Reach Out to Universal Home Experts

At Universal Home Experts, we can keep your HVAC unit up and running. Along with seasonal maintenance, our professional technicians offer:

Don’t let small HVAC problems or poor maintenance habits manifest into something bigger. Do your part to extend the life of your system. Reach out to Universal Home Experts today at (713) 364-0226 to schedule a seasonal maintenance checkup.