5 Tips for Avoiding HVAC Emergencies in Shepherdsville, KY
HVAC emergencies are stressful and often costly, and they usually happen at the most inconvenient times. It’s important to stay proactive with your system to prevent these problems and decrease the chances of facing more serious issues. The following are easy tips for avoiding HVAC emergencies in Shepherdsville, KY.
1. Schedule a Professional Preventive Tune-up
Scheduling professional tune-ups is one of the best ways to prevent an HVAC emergency at your home. Our trained technicians can perform a thorough inspection of your system, identifying any potential issues before they turn into major costly repairs or an entire breakdown. Some of the tasks we’ll do during the inspection include checking the refrigerant levels, cleaning components and looking over the wiring.
A proactive approach extends the lifespan of your HVAC system while also ensuring it’s operating at peak performance. It’s ideal to schedule the HVAC professional tune-up appointment every spring and fall.
2. Clean the Air Filter Regularly
Dirty or clogged air filters restrict airflow, making it harder for your system to operate efficiently. This strains the system and results in unnecessary frequent repairs.
The air filter in your HVAC system needs to be changed every few months. If you engage in habits like smoking indoors or lighting candles regularly, you may want to change it more often. Changing it is simple but is crucial for preventing HVAC emergencies.
Keep a few air filters available at your home so that you can quickly change them when necessary. Once you change the filter, mark the next change in your calendar so that you won’t forget. Or write the date you installed it on the side of the filter.
3. Understand What Counts as a Problem
Recognizing signs that something might be wrong with your HVAC system is vital in avoiding serious emergencies. Hearing strange noises, such as rattling, is just one issue to pay attention to. Others include smelling unusual odors, getting higher-than-normal energy bills and dealing with inconsistent temperatures.
When you notice these early warning signs, contact us to schedule an immediate repair. The sooner we diagnose the issue, the faster we can get your HVAC system working efficiently once again.
4. Keep Items Away From the Outdoor Unit
Have at least 3 or 4 feet of space clear around your outdoor unit at all times. Overgrown plants, large branches, piles of leaves and other forms of debris can clog the unit and cause serious troubles. Check around your unit frequently to ensure nothing is blocking it.
If you’re nervous about severe storms flinging debris at your unit, you may want to take an extra precaution and put a cage around it and/or get a cover for it that can withstand storms.
5. Do Self-Inspections
Performing self-inspections of the system at your home can be a major way to avoid HVAC emergencies. They’re easy to do regularly but can save you from a significant number of short-term and long-term problems.
Make sure your vents aren’t blocked by furniture or curtains so that they can operate efficiently. You also want to check your thermostat settings, listen for any strange noises, look for leaks and pay attention to any odd smells that can indicate the system is overheating.
It’s ideal to do this often, if possible, to help you quickly notice when something isn’t right with your system. It will also allow you to be aware of how your system works, sounds and smells regularly, making it easier to determine when something is wrong.
It’s time to commit to keeping your HVAC system in great condition to prevent repairs and replacements. Contact Birkhead Co. today to schedule a preventive maintenance appointment at your Shepherdsville, KY home.
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