Believe it or not, dirt is one of the biggest enemies of your HAVC system. Dirt, dust, and grime not only cause your system to break down, but it also has direct effects on your health and to the energy efficiency of your home.
Dangers of a dirty heating and cooling system
There are several risks associated with having a dirty heating and cooling system. These issues include:
- Increased risk for fire
- Less efficient operating costs
- Breathing difficulties
- Increased incidents of illness
- Headache, dizziness, nausea
- Development of asthmatic conditions
You must maintain your system regularly to make sure that you reduce your energy costs and preserve your health and that of your loved ones.
There are several reasons for staying on top of your home heating and air conditioner maintenance. Consider all aspects of your home and health when you maintain your HAVC system:
1. You’ll breathe easier
With a clean system operating in your home, you are likely to breathe better. Contaminants, dust, and other airborne particles make their way into your home via your furnace. They have the potential to make you sick if you fail to regularly clean and inspect your system. By maintaining your furnace and ac unit correctly, you’ll improve air quality in your home and reduce the likelihood of getting ill as a result of breathing in contaminants and particles.
2. Your system will work more efficiently
If you don’t keep up with your maintenance, dirt, and dust will likely build on components inside your furnace and reduce its efficiency. Your system will have to work harder to perform home heating and cooling functions. Eventually, every HVAC system will break down, but poor maintenance speeds up this process due to the additional stress placed on the machines. Additionally, when your furnace works harder to perform heating and cooling, you’ll see the result of system stress on your utility bill. If you want to reduce this system stress and additional costs, clean your system regularly.
3. Your home will be safer and more secure
When your heating and cooling system is full of dirt and debris, it can cause your heat exchanger to overheat and crack. This crack may seem a small issue at first, but it can release harmful carbon monoxide into your home. Carbon monoxide causes severe health consequences if not caught and dealt with promptly. Also, any time mechanical parts are overheating, there is a danger of fire. Keeping your furnace and cooling system clean and free from debris will help to avoid this potentially life-threatening problem.
4. You’ll have fewer “surprise” repairs
One of the primary reasons a system breaks down is because it cannot handle the dirt and debris that have built up inside, causing issues with efficiency. Breakdowns can lead to costly repairs and even total replacement if you do treat them appropriately. You can avoid most of these issues if you keep a regular maintenance schedule and take the time to inspect this essential piece of equipment for your home regularly.
How do I clean my furnace?
The two best things that you can do for your heating and cooling system: change your filter regularly and schedule a tune-up at least once a year. Keeping up with filter changes will help you to keep dirt and debris out of the inner mechanisms of your furnace. Also, the regularly scheduled tune-up will thoroughly clean your system, allowing it to run cleanly and efficiently year-round.
Comprehensive cleaning is the key
Heating and air conditioner maintenance is one component of maintaining your system; don’t neglect your ductwork as well! Dirty ductwork is often the culprit of debris circulation and the cause of many of your issues related to a compromised system. When you schedule regular maintenance and cleaning checkups, make sure that giving some time and attention to your ductwork is also in the plan. This detail will ensure you have a system that is operating at optimum efficiency.
Are you ready for the change of seasons?
As we look at the pending changing of the seasons, take some time to make maintenance appointments to clean and inspect your heating and cooling system. You’ll breathe easier. You’ll feel better. You’ll save some valuable time and money, reducing your energy costs. Most importantly, you’ll be glad you did!
October 18, 2019