Tips for Maintaining Your Heating and AC Repair Fort Worth, TX
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Heating and AC repair services can be expensive, and many Fort Worth, TX homeowners want to know how to avoid problems developing in their system. While heating and AC repair is sometimes unavoidable, there are plenty of measures you can take at home to keep your equipment in good working order and keep costs to a minimum.
1. Book Professional Maintenance
Diagnosing and fixing problems with your heating and air conditioning systems early can help avoid costly bills further down the line. It’s a good idea to book a Fort Worth, TX heating and AC repair technician to carry out annual maintenance to keep everything running smoothly. They will be able to advise you on how to maintain your system yourself throughout the year.
2. Replace Dirty Filters
The air filters inside your furnace and air conditioning unit help to protect the system’s mechanical parts. They also improve the air quality inside your home and allow your equipment to run in an energy-efficient way. Some types of filters can be cleaned and reused, while others need to be replaced. Clean or replace your filters at least every 3 months, or more often if you have pets.
If you don’t regularly maintain the filters, this could cause a limit switch breach. This is a safety feature that causes your system to shut down when it detects a potentially hazardous issue. While this can be life-saving in the case of a serious fault, a dirty filter could cause an avoidable breach. Once the switch has flipped, you won’t be able to use your system until it has been reset by a heating and AC repair technician.
3. Keep the Area Around Your Unit Clear
Make sure the area around your outdoor air conditioner unit clear from leaves or other debris that could damage the mechanical parts of your system and require a heating and AC repair. Remove any trees or shrubs from the space around your unit, as these could fall during a storm and cause damage.
4. Insulate Your Home
Good insulation helps to keep your home cool in warmer months and warm in the winter. If your home isn’t properly insulated, your heating and air conditioning systems will have to work harder to keep your home at the correct temperature. This causes added strain on the system, leading to wear and tear and potentially the need for a heating and AC repair. Insulating your home will also help reduce your energy bills as your heating and AC can work more efficiently.
5. Deal with Problems Early
If you notice an issue with your heating or air conditioning unit, don’t ignore it. Minor issues can, if left, lead to much bigger problems which will cost more to repair. You may even need to replace your unit if the problem is serious. Signs of a mechanical problem include:
- Inefficient heating or cooling of your home
- An unexplained rise in energy bills
- Unpleasant smells coming from your system
- Grinding, squeaking or banging noises from the unit
- Your home feels very humid or muggy
6. Smart Thermostats
Installing smart thermostats allows you to control the heating and air conditioning in your home remotely, so your property is only heated or cooled in the time you’re there. This not only saves you money from having your system running unnecessarily but also helps to reduce wear and tear to your equipment. They are a great solution for people who own second properties, as they allow you to control the system when you’re out of town.
7. Check for Storm Damage
Homeowners in Fort Worth, TX should check their air conditioner units for damage after a storm. While larger-scale damage will be immediately obvious, you should take a closer look for less noticeable damage such as bent fan blades. These can cause your system to run less efficiently, increasing your energy bills and wear and tear to your unit, which could lead to a costly heating and AC repair in the future.
8. Use Your Heating Regularly
Many Fort Worth, TX homeowners never switch their heating on in warmer weather. However, if you leave your heating switched off for the whole summer, this could cause your boiler to seize up. Switching your heating on for just 10 minutes once a week can help to avoid this issue and an expensive heating and AC repair.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to leave your hot water switched on throughout the summer on a low setting. While it may seem more economical to turn the hot water off when temperatures outside soar, it’s better to leave it on to keep your boiler in good working order.
9. Service Your Boiler
A yearly boiler service can help to keep your system in good condition. Although it may seem like the obvious choice to service your boiler in the winter, booking a service in the summer is often easier as heating and AC repair companies will be less busy. This can also save you a lot of hassle if you have it fixed during the months where you don’t need central heating, rather than discovering a fault in the winter just when you need it most.
10. Drain the Water Heater
All water heaters accumulate some water in the bottom. However, if you allow lots of sediment to build up, this can cause damage and stop the heater from working properly. Twice a year, drain some of the water from your water heater to prevent problems caused by excess sediment.
The Bottom Line
There are plenty of ways to keep your home heating and cooling systems in good working order. However, sometimes heating and AC repairs can’t be avoided. The experienced heating and AC technicians at One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating can help Fort Worth, TX homeowners keep their systems in good condition. If you’re concerned that there is a problem with your heating or air conditioning, booking a repair can help prevent further damage to your equipment and save you money.