Tennessee’s Source for Knowledgeable HVAC Advice

When it comes to HVAC system maintenance and repairs, we know what it takes to have the best. Your heating and cooling system uses a lot of energy, so it is vital to make clever choices to increase the efficiency and performance of the unit. At Hatley's Heat & Air, our NATE-certified and factory-authorized professionals offer a list of HVAC tips that focus on how to enhance your system's performance and save money at the same time.

Tips for Keeping Your Heat and Air Unit Running Efficiently

To keep heating and air conditioning units running at their best, contact a certified technician each year to check freon, clean the coils with a commercial cleaner, and ensure all the electrical components are working properly.

Monthly filter change is a must. An easy way to remember when to change the filter is on the first of every month or when you pay your electric bill. Remember, a dirty filter in a heating system is the same as a person trying to breathe with a bag over their head.

If a permanent filter is used, it should be cleaned twice a month. Vacuum the filter once a month and then vacuum and wash it two weeks later. With regular cleaning, the filters get more than twice the dirt out of the air. Your home air, furniture, and lungs stay cleaner; this is wonderful for folks with allergies.

Try turning the fan control on the thermostat to the "on" position. This will allow the fan motor to run continually, but the heat and air unit will kick off and on as needed. There are benefits to operating the unit this way:

  • Fan motors last, on average, twice as long. It's the kicking off and on that wears them out faster.
  • The electric bill will not be higher because it takes more power to turn a motor off and on than to let it run continually.
  • Furniture will stay dust-free longer because the air is run through the filter more often.
  • The cleaner air is a wonderful help for allergy sufferers.
  • Keeps home from having hot and cold spots.

Always keep flowers and hedges trimmed at least 30 inches away in all directions so the unit can breathe. Remember, your unit is like you, and it needs air. If building a deck above the unit, a minimum of 48 inches should be allowed over the unit. Make sure a service technician has easy access to the unit for repairs.

The equipment and the ductwork have to be sized correctly. If too large, the unit doesn't run long enough to remove the moisture from the home. If it is too small, the unit runs too much and will wear out sooner.

No one wants to throw away money or have it "burn" up in a non-efficient heat and air unit. A few simple steps will save a lot in utility bills and help your unit last years longer.

In need of an experienced HVAC technician? Book one by calling (423) 442-9325 now.

In need of an experienced HVAC technician?

Book one by calling (423) 442-9325 or (423) 744-8535 now.

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