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After years of crawling through attics, cramming the furnace into closets that barely fit, and listening to every rattle an air conditioner could make, George Johnson, owner Lee Air Services In Southlake, Texas, found that homeowners do their best when it comes to maintaining and operating their HVAC units. “But they’re doing some things that really work against their system,” he warns.
If you’ve ever wondered if you’re making the right decisions about how you heat and cool your home, then keep reading to learn the top HVAC tips from industry experts.
1. Closing certain air vents does not help.
It’s amazing how many people think Closing the vents in the room Johnson says they don’t use it to save money. “I understand why; it seems logical. But with modern HVAC systems, closing the vents actually creates back pressure in the ducts,” Johnson explains. “That extra pressure can make your system run louder, cause duct leaks, wear out your blower motor, and reduce cooling and heating.” Johnson recommends keeping the vents open.
What should you do? If you want to reduce energy use in certain parts of the house, the real fix is zoning or a Smart thermostatDoes not block airflow.
2. Frequent duct cleaning is not necessary.
Duct cleaning is another area that homeowners often misunderstand, says Josh Mitchell, an HVAC technician. Air Conditioner Lab. It is not recommended to clean the air ducts on a regular schedule. “In a typical home, ducts don’t fill up quickly enough to justify frequent cleaning, so spending that money on better filtration or sealing air leaks yields better results,” Mitchell explains. Also, a clean filter does most of the work anyway. “If there’s visible debris, construction dust, insect activity or mold, that makes sense.”
What should you do? Says Johnson: “If you change the filters regularly and keep your outdoor unit clean, you can go many years without needing cleaning.”
3. Not every voice is an emergency.
HVAC experts are often called in to investigate a noisy unit. As it turns out, many sounds are completely normal.
Sounds quite normal
- Gentle hum
- A quick “whoosh” when the system starts up.
- Clicking from the thermostat
- The sound of a gentle breeze
What should you do? Johnson offers the following cheat sheet as you listen to the new one An alarming noise is coming from your HVAC unit.
Anxious sounds
- Banging or clanking: Something is loose
- Screeching: Could be the blower motor or the belt
- Buzzing: Electrical problems
- Gurgling: Low refrigerant or drainage problem
- Loud pop in ductwork: pressure problem or loose connection
- Sounds like your AC is falling down the stairs: Turn it off and call a professional right away
4. Don’t neglect your outdoor unit.
Many people forget to check them regularly Outdoor HVAC units Unless there is a problem, which is an error. Johnson constantly finds outdoor units buried in leaves, weeds, mulch, ivy and patio furniture. “Your AC’s outdoor condenser needs room to breathe,” Johnson explains. “If the fan can’t pull air in, the system overheats and your energy bills skyrocket.”
What should you do? Their recommendation is to leave 2 feet of space around the unit. Once a year, gently spray the fins with a garden hose from the inside out Maintain the system. Just don’t use a pressure washer unless you want a very expensive repair.
5. The wrong air filter can stress your system.
Another common problem is choosing the wrong type Air filter for the unit. Many people think high MERV rating That means clean air, so they grab the thickest, tightest filter on the shelf, but that’s not it, Johnson warns. “High MERV filters can choke airflow in systems not designed for them, which increases your energy bill and shortens the life of the system.”
What should you do? Johnson suggests sticking to MERV 8 to 10, which is the sweet spot for 90 percent of homes.
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