Filters
Check your filter every month or so. A dirty filter can make your equipment work harder and possibly cause the system to damage itself.
Outdoor Unit
- It's great to shade your outdoor unit from the sun. This will help. However never enclose it completely. The outdoor unit needs to breathe to work properly!
- Every so often take a look at your outside unit. If it looks really dirty we suggest giving us a call to clean it, and to check the rest of your system.
Ceilings, Walls, and Attics
- Make sure during both the heating and cooling months that your fireplace damper is closed.
- Have your attic insulation checked to ensure you have at least an R-30.
- Check with your local utility company to schedule an energy audit.
- Seal all penetrations on your ceiling. Any penetration in the ceiling that is not sealed can leak air into your living space. Penetrations such as grilles, surround sound speakers, can lights, and security sensors can all leak dirty unconditioned air into your home. This unconditioned air not only harms your energy bill, but it could aggravate any allergies you may have.
- Seal openings in your walls. Check with your local hardware store to find special gaskets that fit behind light switches and power plugs. These gaskets prevent air leaking from the wall cavity into your home.
- Ensure that your attic has proper ventilation. During the summer months it's common for the attic to reach 120-130 degrees when it is 100 degrees outside. If your attic is hotter it could be because your attic does not have proper ventilation. Check with your roofing contractor to see if your attic meets the proper ventilation requirements.
Ductwork
- Never block any return air grilles. This grille (or vent) is usually larger than the others, but this is not always the case. You can easily identify it (or them) if it is sucking air from the room rather than distributing air.
- Never block more than two supply grilles. These grilles distribute conditioned air into the house. Blocking too many grilles can be detrimental to the systems energy efficiency and to the condition of the equipment.
- Get us to check your ducts. Openings or holes in duct work can leak conditioned air into your attic. A duct blaster test can tell us how much air is being leaked into your attic. After we know we can formulate a plan to help solve your problem.