As the seasons pass, your HVAC system has to keep up with the punches. During the milder months, it can take a rest. During the height of summer and winter, it works hard to keep your home comfortable. Before you need to call for emergency AC repair in Dallas, TX, some preventative maintenance can help your system perform at any time of year.
Ready to learn about what you can do to prepare your HVAC system for any season? We’ve got all the answers you need; read on!
Whatever your HVAC needs are, the team at Dial One Plumbing, Heating & Cooling have the experienced professionals you need to get the job done. Give us a call at 469-240-5618.
DIY HVAC Maintenance for Any Time of Year
It’s easy to forget about HVAC maintenance. As a homeowner, you’ve got a lot to think about as the seasons change. Your AC and heating systems play an essential role in keeping your home inviting and comfortable.
With a handful of tasks that you can easily perform, you can have your system in tip-top shape all year long. Additionally, you can implement habits that help alleviate some pressure on your system.
Change Your Filters
One of the easiest, and most consequential, things you can do for your HVAC system is to change your air filter. The filter is where your system breathes. If you fail to change your filter, it could cause insufficient airflow.
A lack of proper airflow can cause all sorts of annoying problems. When your system can’t get the air it needs to operate, parts freeze up and your system shuts-off. Consequently, the air coming from your vents will stop completely.
During summer, this means muggy rooms and sweaty nights. In winter, it means you’ll need to break out the extra blankets. If you fail to change your filters regularly, you can expect an expensive emergency visit from your local AC repair service in Dallas, TX.
Clean Debris Around Outside Unit
If you have an outside unit, it’s always a good idea to make sure the fans are free from debris. Often, yard waste and other materials can get lodged into the inner working of your system. As you can imagine, this creates a less than optimal environment for your AC.
Your fans play an essential role in keeping the air moving. Without them, well, you’ll have no airflow. A quick check every month or so is all you need to manage debris. Make sure to become familiar with locating your AC unit and where you’ll need to check for foreign material.
If you have any questions, your HVAC specialist should have the answers.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
You might not think of your thermostat as a critical component in your HVAC system. Sure, it helps you communicate your temperature needs to your system, but how can it play a role in system efficiency?
Well, upgrading your thermostat can play a critical role in saving you money. Newer smart thermostats, or programmable thermostats, can help you create a schedule that helps mitigate efficiency loss in your system. It works pretty simply. Instead of keeping your home at a constant temperature, you program certain times when your set temperature changes.
This means you won’t be calling for your HVAC to turn on when it’s not necessary. This can save you money on energy bills and cause less strain on your AC components. Less strain means your system will last longer.
Know When to Call the Pros
Now, you can do a lot to help maintain your system throughout the year. Some problems, however, require the expert hand of an HVAC pro. Understanding the difference between issues you can solve yourself and issues that need a licensed specialist is essential for system health and longevity.
Put quite simply, your HVAC system is a complicated array of different systems, all powered by different components. Each one needs to work in harmony with the other to push comfortable air from your vents.
If you decide to tackle serious issues yourself, you risk damaging components. In a system like this, even the smallest part can lead to some long-term damage down the line. I’m sure you’d rather pay for a professional to look at your system than shell out the average cost of an HVAC replacement — which can cost upward of $10,000.
The Importance of an Annual Maintenance Visit
Knowing when to get professional help is critical when problems crop up, but annual maintenance is another necessary part of your AC’s health. Some tasks you can easily perform yourself; others require a more experienced hand.
When your HVAC technician comes to perform an annual check, they call on their years of experience to ensure every part of your system is in tip-top order. Here are a few areas they will perform:
- Check the calibration of your thermostat
- Inspect and lubricate parts when necessary
- Check internal system controls and timing
- Make sure refrigerant levels are optimal
This list is not exhaustive, but it gives you a good idea of why an annual maintenance visit is necessary. While you can do quite a lot to keep your system in shape for every season, the fact is, you don’t have the expertise needed to truly maintenance your HVAC system.
AC experts spend years educating themselves and even more time in the field learning from hands-on experience. Don’t think that you can perform the same quality work, as it can be a recipe for expensive repairs down the line.
Looking for Reliable AC Repair in Dallas?
Are you searching for quality AC repair in Dallas, TX? Well, the team at Dial One Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has been servicing the Dallas area for almost 50 years. In that time, we’ve grown close to our community and strive to offer prompt and professional service.
Whether you need emergency HVAC repair or a routine annual check-up, we’d be happy to help. Reach out online to schedule an appointment today.