Tips
Do-It-Yourself HVAC Tips
Menard’s A/C & Heating offers customers helpful HVAC tips in Acadiana.
How Can I Maintain My HVAC?
Most maintenance is handled by a trained and certified professional, but there are some things you can do to extend the life of your heating and cooling and ensure they work smoothly.
Here’s what you can do:
- Read the Manufacturer’s Homeowner Instructions: You should always see what the manufacturer says before performing your maintenance. Doing so ensures your safety.
- Check Your Air Filter: You can quickly check and replace an air filter yourself. Cleaning a reusable filter is easy as well.
- Keep Units Free from Debris: Outdoor units are exposed to nature and outdoor elements. Clear outdoor debris away from your unit to avoid clogging and malfunction.
1. Check Your Filters
Check the air filter once per month and replace it as needed. This is especially important during the summer when dust and allergens circulate. If the filter becomes clogged, your system will have to work harder to supply the same amount of cool air.
Replacing filters is one of the easiest and most effective methods of conserving energy and saving money on your AC usage. And much like changing the oil in your car, it’s a critical step in maintaining your system’s long-term health.
2. Get a Maintenance Agreement
Our Preventative Maintenance Agreements keep your heating and cooling system running efficiently and helps to prevent costly breakdowns before they occur. Proper “clean and checks” will pay for the cost of the annual agreement with the money you save by operating more efficiently. CLICK HERE to learn more.
3. Make Sure Your Thermostat Is Clear of Heated Objects
Don’t place lamps, TV sets, or other heat-producing appliances near your thermostat. The thermostat senses the heat causing the air conditioner to run longer than necessary. When installing a new thermostat, don’t place it in a location where the sun might shine on it directly.
4. Don’t Touch That Dial to Save Some Money
Remember that each degree you dial below 78 increases your energy consumption by about 8 percent. Smart thermostats help ensure accurate control.
5. Consider a Programmable Thermostat
If it’s hard to remember to tweak your thermostat before you leave for work, consider investing in a programmable or smart thermostat or a timer for your window unit. These days we can set up a way for you to control your A/C from your phone.
6. Is It Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner?
You may find your old air conditioner is no longer efficient. Consider replacing your unit with an energy-efficient model. They’re usually more expensive but thanks to federal tax credits and competitive prices, the prices are falling, and because they use less energy, you save in the long run, too.
Weatherizing prevents cold air loss.
7. Weatherize So You Don’t Cool the Whole Neighborhood
You want your cold air to stay in and hot air to stay out. Some basic weatherization steps can prevent air loss when you need cool air the most. Seal air leaks with caulking and weather-stripping. Add insulation around air conditioning ducts. Add a solar barrier in your attack to prevent the sun’s rays from coming through and warming up your attack.
8. Consider Your Landscaping
Avoid landscaping with lots of rock, cement, or asphalt on the south or west sides of your home. If it’s not shaded, it will increase the temperature around the house and radiate heat. Consider what landscaping can do to help your house stay cool in the summer.
9. Keep the Airflow of Your Outside Unit Clear
Keep plants, shrubs, and other landscaping about 2 to 4 feet away from your outdoor unit to ensure adequate airflow.