You rely on your cooling, heating, and ventilation systems to stay comfortable and safe throughout the year. Let’s explore some strategies to foster an even cozier and healthier home.
Seasonal Tune-ups
Avoid the mistake of not thinking about your HVAC system until there’s a problem. Most HVAC warranties require seasonal maintenance. A proactive tune-up ensures maximum comfort and efficiency. A tune-up also helps prevent those unexpected breakdowns during summer and winter. All tune-ups include a multipoint inspection and thorough cleaning. There will also be service specific to your particular equipment. Fuel-burning furnaces and boilers require calibration of their combustion equipment. Air conditioners and heat pumps need service for their evaporator coils, condenser coils, and condenser pumps. Boilers require flushing to remove any accumulation of sediment and limescale.
Keep an Eye on Outdoor Equipment
Some HVAC systems have outdoor equipment. That includes air conditioners, heat pumps, hybrid heating systems, and ductless mini-splits. All those systems have an outdoor unit that houses the condenser coil, pump, and fan. Maintain a clear perimeter around the unit of at least a foot and as many as several. That includes overhanging branches. Occasionally, check the unit, as leaves, branches, and other debris can build up in the housing. Remove any debris when you see it. Clutter can reduce airflow, which will affect efficiency and comfort in the home.
Benefit From a Smart Thermostat
If you don’t yet have one, invest in a programmable or smart thermostat. Through basic scheduling features, you can lower cooling and heating costs by up to 10%. You can ensure maximum comfort throughout the day and night. There are also rebates available that can help offset some of the initial investment. The main difference between programmable and smart thermostats is that smart units are Wi-Fi-capable. That provides you with remote access and control. Smart thermostats often have other advanced features, including energy monitoring.
Choose ENERGY STAR and Upgrade to Zone Control
When it comes time to replace HVAC equipment, look for the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR is a program through which the EPA certifies appliances for energy efficiency. The EPA sets standards and determines through independent lab testing if a product meets them. There are a number of reasons to choose ENERGY STAR HVAC equipment. Doing so will give you confidence that your system is among the most energy-efficient in its class. Certification is also a requirement for most energy incentives, including tax credits and rebates.
You should also consider upgrading to a zone control system. This is where we organize the home into separate zones that you can control independently. It allows you to set different comfort settings, for instance, for bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens. Zone control can also reduce your annual energy consumption by as much as 30%.
Check and Change HVAC Filters Regularly
All HVAC systems have at least one air filter that helps to keep dust and other particles out of the equipment. Over time, the filter clogs. That increases air pressure in the system, which reduces comfort and efficiency. Check the filter at least once a month and replace it as needed. A filter needs replacement when you can see dust accumulation or there’s a whistling sound.
If you have a mini-split, you likely have washable filters instead. In that case, you should wash the filters thoroughly once a month. Allow the filter to dry completely before reinserting it. You should also replace these filters once a year.
Monitor and Regulate Relative Humidity
Temperature isn’t the only consideration when it comes to home comfort. Relative humidity, which is humidity in the context of temperature, is a big factor as well. The EPA recommends at least a 30% RH in winter and no more than 60% RH in summer. Many experts recommend an RH between 40% and 50% for ideal sleep. If you can’t reach these levels naturally, there are solutions. A whole-house humidifier adds water vapor to the air to achieve optimal RH in winter. A whole-house dehumidifier removes water vapor from the air to achieve optimal RH in summer.
Clean Your Home’s Air
Optimal RH is also important because of air quality. Reducing respiratory irritation and inflammation can make a big difference in your comfort. Often, the easiest way to improve air quality in the home is to upgrade the HVAC filter. MERV indicates filter effectiveness. Most modern central HVAC systems support up to a MERV 13 filter. MERV 13 filters can remove most of the household allergens and finer particles that pass through them.
For more advanced filtration, consider a whole-house air purification system. These systems can filter all the air in a home multiple times per hour. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least four air changes per hour. Most whole-home systems provide five or more ACH. These units often have HEPA filters to trap over 99% of particles. They typically have activated charcoal to absorb odors, chemicals, and gases. You can also opt for an in-duct UV lamp to neutralize over 99% of bacteria and viruses.
If you have inadequate ventilation in the home, consider a mechanical ventilation system. These will introduce fresh air to your living spaces to reduce pollutant concentration levels. A whole-house fan can delay how soon you need to run your cooling system. There are even whole-house fans suitable for use in winter: heat and energy recovery ventilators. HRVs extract heat from exhausted air and use it to preheat the fresh air. ERVs do the same but also add moisture to the fresh air to help avoid low RH.
Consider a Backup Generator
When there’s a power outage, there will be no cooling or whole-home humidity control. Many heating systems can’t run without power either. The solution is a standby generator that will automatically give you power when the grid fails. Even smaller generators that only provide essential coverage deliver enough power for heating and cooling.
Inspect and Seal Your Ducts
The U.S. DOE estimates that duct leakage in the average home is between 20% and 40%. That’s a significant amount that drives up your costs and reduces comfort. To avoid this, schedule a duct camera inspection at least every other year. If there are problems, we can repair and seal your ducts. This can reduce leakage to less than 5%.
Insulate and Seal Your Home
Without proper insulation, your home will lose heating and cooling more easily. To avoid this energy loss, replace your attic and wall insulation as needed. Monitor doors and windows for potential energy loss. You should also seal your home to avoid energy losses due to cracks in walls and your foundation.
HVAC Services and More in Greater Austin
Mend Services serves residential and commercial customers throughout Austin and the surrounding areas. Our HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair all ducted and ductless heating and cooling systems. That includes boilers, furnaces, HVAC zoning systems, hybrid heating, air conditioners, heat pumps, and mini-splits. Our electricians perform inspections, installations, maintenance, and repairs. We specialize in electrical panels, surge protection, and standby generators. Our plumbers are skilled with water heaters, sump pumps, backflow prevention, and water treatment. Our team is on call 24/7 for emergency repairs, and we offer maintenance programs to help our customers save money. Call today or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
