HVAC maintenance is a great way to get ready for another brutally hot summer in Inverness, FL. An experienced technician can often identify and repair minor service issues before they lead to bigger and more costly problems. You should be aware of a few common misconceptions about an HVAC system and what the real truth is behind the myths.
Save Money by Closing Vents in Unused Rooms
When you keep the intake vents closed off in your guest bedrooms or in your children’s rooms while they are away at college, you might actually be doing more harm than good. Closing the intake vents increases the overall air pressure buildup in your system and works in the same way that putting your thumb over the garden hose increases the water pressure.
The additional pressure throughout your ventilation and ductwork can very quickly lead to new leaks. Your HVAC system can only produce a limited amount of warm or cool air at a time, and closing up your vents increases the likelihood that the cool air will go to waste as it leaks into your attic or between your walls.
Additionally, your thermostat helps your system maintain an overall temperature throughout the home. If there is a room that is significantly warmer or cooler than the rest of the house, your HVAC system will continue to run until your home reaches that overall temperature.
Fans Help Cool Your Home
We all love fans and spend most of our summer as close to them as possible. But they merely circulate the air in the room and don’t actually lower your household temperature.
Ceiling fans can help reduce your energy consumption by keeping you more comfortable at the existing temperature, but you’re wasting money if you allow them to run all day in unoccupied rooms. Don’t be afraid to let your fans run as long as you want to while you’re in the room, but turn them off when you leave a room. And be sure to reverse your ceiling fans’ direction in the fall to direct warm air that has risen, back down into the room.
Maintain a Consistent Temperature in the Home at All Times
Most of us already know that it doesn’t do much good to crank the thermostat to full blast on a hot summer day. Your HVAC system is only capable of producing a fixed amount of cool air.
Running it at its maximum setting during peak seasons places undue stress on the system. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t make adjustments of a few degrees at a time as the temperature outside changes.
A programmable thermostat is a great way to play an active role in your home’s energy consumption. By automatically adjusting your temperature while you’re at work or in bed, you can stay comfortable and manage your energy costs. You can even monitor and adjust settings on most programmable thermostats with a smartphone app.
A New HVAC System Will Pay for Itself With Energy Savings
No reputable manufacturer or dealer will ever make such a claim, and you should be very suspicious of any who do. A new heat pump can definitely help you lower your energy costs, but it only has an expected lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Even if you buy the most energy-efficient HVAC system on the market, you can’t expect your energy savings to outpace the rising cost of utilities.
HVAC System Maintenance Is an Easy DIY Project
Even if you’re experienced with household maintenance and home improvement, you should always know your limitations. There are several things that you can do on your own to maintain your system, but they’re no substitute for professional service. Most HVAC contractors offer affordable maintenance plans that include an annual preventive maintenance visit, and a service plan is always a great investment.
Contact Senica Air Conditioning, Inc for a full-service air conditioning installation. We serve Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus and Marion Counties. If you need a new heat pump or want to schedule a service appointment, we can help.
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