DIY Heating and Air Conditioning Services: Part One
Now that we’re in the middle of fall, you’ve probably noticed a couple times when the weather seemed to switch from brisk one day to downright hot the next. Whether you’re a summer person who cherishes those hot days or a winter fan who just can’t wait for it to start getting chilly, you’ve probably been riding the thermostat quite a bit over the last month or so. Have you noticed either your heat or your air conditioning not working as well as it should? Read on for some troubleshooting tips from the best heating and air conditioning service company in Oxford to make sure that your HVAC system is ready for whatever you throw at it now, and over the next couple months.
Check Your Vents
Don’t Stifle Your Flow
The easiest place to start checking if your heating and air conditioning doesn’t seem to be up to its previous snuff is the vents. First, make sure nothing is either resting on or in front of them. By blocking your vents, you make it harder for your house to get to the temperature you want because of restricted air flow. When your home doesn’t cool down or heat up as quickly as you’d like your, first solution might be to crank it up. This isn’t a great idea for several reasons. First, too much heat might cause items on or near vents to warm up to unsafe temperatures, melt, or maybe even burn. Second, you’re just wasting money. The temperature might get to where you want it eventually, but it requires a lot more fuel to get there just because your vents were blocked. No one wants to pay more on their energy bills or waste precious natural resources for no reason.
Take a Peek Inside
If the areas around your vents are free of clutter, check inside them. If you see a lot of dirt, dust, fuzz, or pet hair, you might need to clean your vents out. While you should definitely get the stuff that you can reach, it might not be enough to make the difference that you’re looking for. Sometimes the best way to fully clean out the vents of your HVAC system is to use a special vacuum tool that is able to pull any loose debris from all the little nooks and crannies in your system.
If your vents need a good, deep cleaning, call us at Blue Ox. We can clean out your heating and air conditioning system as a stand-alone service or as a part of one of our comprehensive service plans that will help your house save money and remain at the temperature you want.
Stay tuned for our next entry in this series where we’ll discuss how to check for problems with your heating and air conditioning components that are installed outside. And, as always, if you have any problems that you can’t fix yourself please call us at Blue Ox. We’re experts in the installation, maintenance, and repair of heating and cooling systems for your Oxford home.