The start of the new year is the ideal time to consider a fresh approach to your home’s heating and cooling system. Whether you’re considering investing in a new HVAC system for your northeast Ohio home or you’re looking to maximize the one you already have, now is an ideal time to start making plans. Whether you’re thinking of a smart thermostat or upgrading your system, consider these eight New Year’s resolutions for your home’s HVAC system.
Change your filter regularly
Arguably the most important HVAC-related New Year’s resolution you can make is also one of the easiest to keep. Mark your calendar, and you won’t forget to change your filter. During the winter or summer, when you use your HVAC system the most, change your filter once a month. When the weather is milder in the spring and fall, replace it every three months.
Setting a filter-replacement schedule might seem minor, but this has a significant and positive impact on your HVAC system year-round. Air filters prevent dirt, dust, and other airborne particles from entering your system, keeping it clean and avoiding breakdowns.
A clean air filter also does more than that. It improves indoor air quality by removing harmful particles from your home’s air and increases your system’s operating efficiency by promoting freer airflow. Your air filter does these tasks best when you replace it regularly.
Schedule interval maintenance
Another smart way to ensure that your system continues to run smoothly is to schedule routine preventive maintenance. We recommend annual HVAC maintenance for each primary component of your system. You should schedule a tune-up for your furnace in the fall and another for your air conditioner in the spring. It’s a good idea to have a service completed before you turn on your system for the season. This way, our expert HVAC system technicians will catch any performance issues before your family’s comfort is compromised.
During a preventive maintenance check-up, our technicians complete a thorough list of tasks, from testing safety controls to lubricating moving parts and checking fluid levels. We’ll also discover minor problems before they become major repairs or, worse, cause a complete breakdown. With our cost-effective maintenance agreement, you’ll also get a discount on parts and labor.
Upgrade to a smart thermostat
If your heating and cooling system are a decade old or more, there’s a good chance you’re still relying on a manual thermostat or even an ancient mercury unit. While a manual model allows you to adjust the temperature and switch from heating to cooling easily, they lack the energy-saving features that smart thermostats have.
Upgrading to a smart thermostat doesn’t cost much and offers several valuable benefits that our expert technicians can demonstrate for you. For starters, you can program your heating and cooling schedule, which means your HVAC system will run only when necessary. When your family is away from home or asleep, a smart thermostat will adjust the temperature 8 to 10, which will save you up to $200 per year in utility costs. In other words, your new smart thermostat will pay for itself in its first year of service. How cool is that?
But, smart thermostats don’t stop there. Since they’re integrated into your home’s Wi-Fi network, you can access them from anywhere in the world and adjust your home’s temperature and indoor air quality settings, wherever you are. Some units will also detect when you’re on your way home and make your home comfortable for when you arrive. Many can also track your energy usage to help you identify ways to make your household more environmentally friendly – and that’ll save you money, too!
Enhance your air quality
Maintaining a high level of indoor air quality is essential for your family’s health and the efficient operation of your HVAC system. Adopting healthy habits, such as a regular cleaning schedule and placing green plants throughout your home, will dramatically improve your home’s air quality. If your air quality is less than ideal or if you want to simplify the process, we highly recommend adding air quality components to your HVAC system. They’re more reasonable than you might think.
We offer a wide array of air quality items to meet your every need. To remove high levels of pollen, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from your air, try an air purifier. Some purifiers can even capture and eliminate viruses. To control humidity year-round, add a whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier. They’ll boost your family’s health and enhance the performance of your system during the winter and summer alike.
Improve ventilation
If you’ve already taken steps to insulate your attic and foundation to seal air leaks, you’re one step ahead of most homeowners. Tightening up your home’s insulation envelope translates to considerable savings on your family’s energy consumption, but you might notice that this also limits your home’s airflow.
Fortunately, we have a simple solution for keeping your home’s air fresh and clean. Air Scrubber Plus works with your home’s HVAC system to freshen your air in a constant cycle. You’ll never have to worry about breathing yesterday’s air again. This also improves your HVAC system’s energy efficiency and has a minimal impact on your energy bill.
Add a zoning system
Many Ohio homeowners struggle to keep the temperature comfortable throughout their home. If your home has two levels or more, or family members have strong temperature-related preferences, you know that keeping everyone comfy is a tall order.
If this sounds familiar, consider adding a zoning system to your home. Our experts will install dampers in your system’s ductwork and connect them to a series of sensors. You can then program different temperatures for each zone, ensuring that your family room, kitchen, and bedrooms will always be just right. We’ll teach you the smart thermostat options that give you the best control over your new zoning system.
Upgrade your heating and cooling system
If your home’s system is approaching the end of its service lifespan (10-15 years for air conditioners and 15-20 years for furnaces), it’s time to start thinking about an upgrade. A new HVAC system is a considerable investment, but it offers a host of benefits for your home and family.
When you begin the search for a new HVAC system, ask our expert team about Energy Star-certified options. These systems offer superior efficiency, and you’ll enjoy a low utility bill every month.
Our team will also explain the latest HVAC tech innovations, such as a variable-speed blower. Available in heating and cooling systems alike, these blowers operate at a low level most of the time and run at a higher level only when needed. This results in improved energy efficiency and better comfort for your family. It’s a win-win.
Plan ahead for success
If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution before, you know that creating and sticking to a plan is key to its success. Likewise, regarding your HVAC system, planning ahead is beneficial.
Schedule preventive maintenance before the heating or cooling season. This lowers the chance that your HVAC system will have a major breakdown during the hottest summer or coldest winter months. Similarly, investing in a new furnace or air conditioner during the off-season can mean better prices, a more convenient installation time, and extra time to consider the best options for your family.
This year, resolve to stay one step ahead of any HVAC system issues, and you’ll benefit in budget, comfort, and peace of mind. Of course, if the unexpected happens and you need emergency repairs, our experienced, licensed HVAC technicians are always just a phone call away.
Whether you want to schedule preventive maintenance or you need help choosing a new HVAC system, our team is at your service. Call us today at 1-844-HEY-NEIGHBOR.
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