How To Keep a Comfortable Temperature Indoors
As the weather turns colder and Halloween gets closer, many homes turn down the lights and turn on a scary movie. For those weekends full of nothing more than scary movie marathons, keeping the home comfortable is essential and hiding under a blanket is optional.
With a few tips, any homeowner can keep their HVAC system working efficiently all season long.
Keep an Eye on the Thermostat
If the home seems not to keep the temperature it is set at, it might not be as large of an issue as it first seems.
In some cases, keeping the home comfortable only requires taking a regular look at the HVAC system's thermostat. When malfunctioning, the thermostat will affect the way that the system heats and cools the home. In some cases, that malfunction is simply replacing the batteries. If an HVAC issue can be solved with a few AA batteries, why not at least give it a shot?
If the thermostat is on the older side, it may be worth replacing it with a smart thermostat. These thermostats work by using WiFi and can often be adjusted even when the homeowner isn't actually in the house. Not only does this save both money and energy, but it can also guarantee the home remains comfortable for when people are home.
Replace the Air Filter
Monitoring and regularly changing the HVAC system's air filter is critical to the unit's health and efficiency. When the air filter gets clogged, it not only can cause issues with air quality, it can also potentially cause a breakdown of the entire system. When air can't pass through the filter, it circulates through the home, which is a scary situation in its own right.
The frequency in which the air filter needs to be replaced varies depending on the home's unique situation. Homes that have smokers, pets, or people with asthma and allergies should change them more frequently (every month or two, sometimes), while homes where people are away frequently or those that don't have many people living in them may be able to get away with changing them every three. Ask a local HVAC technician for recommendations on how often it should be changed for a customized plan.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Catching HVAC problems before they start begins and ends with regular maintenance of the system. Instead of waiting for a problem to occur, which can also get expensive, homeowners should have a qualified HVAC technician come out and evaluate the HVAC system at least twice a year.
In addition to keeping an eye on the system during the year (and changing the air filters regularly), professionals can often find problems before they start. This will ultimately save the homeowner money and heartbreak, as emergency HVAC situations can get frustrating and expensive very quickly. It's well worth the relatively small expense, in the long run.
About Barker Heating & Cooling
Barker Heating & Cooling serves the Tri-Valley area. The company opened in 1998. They offer both same-day and emergency services for residential and commercial clients, focusing on customer care and upfront pricing. Contact them today for expert HVAC maintenance in Livermore, CA.
