Despite the incredible snowstorms we have had this winter, rest assured that Spring is on the way. We get a wave of calls from customers this time of year for Spring maintenance. So, we have put HVAC maintenance tips together for you, and the third one is a surprise to most people.
1. Simple Yet Major Tip: Eliminate heating and cooling issues by changing your filters every 90 days!
Dust is your enemy. This simple tip can save you thousands in repair bills of your heating and cooling system, and improve your energy bill and air quality. For example, a customer recently had their furnace fail completely during a cold snap! They have a cat and they hadn’t changed their filter in many months. The filter was so clogged it actually got sucked into the furnace’s motor! It was a costly repair and ultimately didn’t need to happen if they simply cleaned or changed their filter regularly.
There are five main types of filters: disposable fibreglass, disposable pleated, disposable electrostatic, permanent electrostatic and high-efficiency pleated. In addition to the type of filter, the MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating is also important as stated by the Family Handyman magazine. The “MERV scale goes from 1 to 16. Most residential filters range from 4 to 12. Furnace manufacturers prefer the traditional, spun fibreglass filters (MERV 2) because they filter out enough of the large particles to protect the furnace while providing maximum airflow. Maintaining the furnace manufacturer’s specified airflow is critical to achieving energy efficiency and maximum life from the blower motor and heat exchanger. An inexpensive MERV 4 filter captures 80 percent of the particles 50 microns and larger, but only 25 percent of the particles in the 3 to 10-micron range”.
2. Energy Saving Tip: Use a programmable thermostat!
New thermostats, such as the NEST, can save up to 20% in heating or cooling costs. They can be managed remotely, send you equipment status alerts, or work with the outdoor temperature to keep your home more comfortable. Having your heating and cooling systems running more evenly helps reduce wear and tear.
“Turn yours into a smart home with the Nest Learning Thermostat. It remembers what temperatures you like, learns your schedule, and programs itself to save energy. It’s sharp 2.08″ LCD display with Farsight lights up when you approach. WiFi connected, you can control it with your mobile device, and use it with numerous compatible smart home products.”
3. Warranty Tip: Service Your Equipment Annually!
Maintaining your heating and cooling systems is extremely important. Furnaces and air conditioners seem to run on their own for the most part, so it is easy to forget maintenance. Often, years can go by without a servicing. Did you know that most furnace brands like York and Carrier require home owners service their systems annually or else their warranties will be void? Your furnace and air conditioner are two of the most expensive pieces of equipment in your home. Please protect your investment and ensure you don’t have an emergency during our next snow storm or heat wave.