As the Las Vegas summer heat begins to fade, you may not think twice about your AC unit. For most HVAC users, they’ll simply switch the setting to heat, and not put a second thought to it. However, just like your car, your AC unit requires attention before sitting around for a few months until it’s time to use it again. Before the winter temperatures start to descend upon you, there a few procedures you should do or have someone do you for you, so you can be sure that your AC unit is ready to run come spring and summer.
One of the best initial things that you can do is to simply take a look at your AC unit. Most likely, unless you experienced something odd or wrong with it, you haven’t looked at your AC unit at all in some time. So, take the time now and do a general overview. Do you see anything leaking? Is there ice built up on the refrigerant line? Are they any odd noises or can you notice dust being blown out of it? You may want to hire a professional who can take a deeper look and offer you a better overview of your AC’s health.
In some cases, it may be time to remove the unit and get a new one. Even AC units have an expected life cycle, and it isn’t necessary when it stops working altogether. For homeowners who have noticed that their energy bill seems to be raising without reason, or that their house was taking longer and longer to cool off, your AC may be done. Whether you experienced issues or not, systems in Las Vegas start showing signs of wear generally somewhere between 12-14 years old and may need to be replaced. That way you’re ready to go and not being miserable in your own sweat.
Each AC unit has a set of filters that are designed to catch potential air pollutants from entering your home. This ensures the health of your family and yourself. As with any filter, over time, it becomes saturated with dust, dirt, and other bacteria. If you leave that filter sitting in your AC unit, those contaminants can eventually enter your home. For those who have breathing problems, this could present a serious issue. It can also harm your AC unit.
The dust and grime can clog up the intricate machinery of the unit, and it can either make it sluggish in its performance or perhaps even break it. As such, it’s crucial that you take the time to remove the filters or have them cleaned. It’s a simple process that can extend the life of your AC unit and ensure that the air in your home is healthy and breathable.
This is a crucial step for both air conditioning and heat. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, then the HVAC unit isn’t going to be working properly. You can test this by using a gauge to check on the actual temperature of a room in your house. If it matches what the thermostat is telling you, then chances are that your thermostat is working quite well. You should also be sure that your thermostat is level. It may be surprising to know that if it isn’t level, it may actually affect your HVAC and you may not be receiving the full power of your HVAC unit that you need.
There might also be electrical issues that are beyond your scope of knowledge. If that’s the case, then have a professional take a look at the thermostat. You may even have the option of receiving a brand new one that can actually work a whole lot better with your HVAC system.
In the event that your thermostat doesn’t already have this option, you should look into installing a set-back thermostat. This allows you to have ultimate control over the temperature settings of your home. For those who like to turn up the heat or air when they’re not at home, you can easily set that temperature for the period of time you’re not there. If you want to come home to a cool or warm home after work, then again, you simply set the time you want the HVAC to change the temperature, and it does so. This can be an excellent way to cut down a bit on energy bills when you’re heating or cooling a house that doesn’t even have anyone in it.
Another excellent maintenance procedure is to simply clean. Not just the HVAC unit itself but around the area, too. There’s a lot of dust that gathers around your HVAC unit. Take a vacuum and clean the area. You may also want to take the time to clean the vents and the furnace blower compartment. This dust could be sent back to your unit and make it run less efficiently. It could also quickly dirty up that filter that you just took the time to clean or have replaced. By keeping the area clean of dust, you can be sure that none of it is entering your home and that your AC unit isn’t choking on it either.
In addition, you should take the time to ensure that the machinery and parts are clean, too. Just like your car, a good cleaning promotes functionality and efficiency.
By making sure your HVAC unit is properly cleaned, the filters are exchanged, and you’ve ensured that the thermostat is working properly, you can relax and enjoy the rest of winter without worry. When spring and summer roll along once more, you won’t have to be concerned about whether your AC is prepared to handle the transition. You’ll know.