Though your home’s heating and cooling system is one of the most well-used appliances in your home, it can last for up to 15 years with the proper care and maintenance. And one of the most important things you can do for your system is to keep the air handler in great shape.
The air handler is what sends that climate-controlled air throughout your house. The more you use your system, the more wear and tear the air handler will experience.
Luckily, staying on top of routine air handler maintenance is easier than you might think. Here are a few tasks you’ll want to take care of.
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1. Inspect the Filters
Your HVAC system and your air handler have filters in place to keep the contaminants outside your home from making it indoors. The more you use your air conditioning and heating system, the more those filters have to remove from your indoor air supply.
Over time, it’s normal for the filters to get clogged with debris. And when they do, your air handler will have to work harder to circulate air throughout your house.
Get in the habit of inspecting the filters once every three months. If they look dirty, replace them as soon as you can. This will help keep your energy bills lower and ensure that your system will work smoothly for years to come.
Even better, it may even cut down on the wear and tear your air handler experiences, saving you on costly repairs to fix the most common air handler issues.
2. Keep the Fins Clean and Neat
Straightening the fins on your air handler is the best way to keep the system running more efficiently. Those fins help excess heat from the system escape without doing damage to any of the components inside.
Pick up a fin brush at your local hardware store and run the brush through the fins gently. This will straighten any bends out of the fins and helps remove any debris, dust, or plant matter that might collect on them over time.
If you’re not comfortable doing this on your own, contact your HVAC technician. They have extensive experience cleaning air handlers and can handle the task quickly.
3. Schedule Professional Tune-Ups
One of the most important things you can do to prevent common air handler issues is to schedule routine tune-ups and inspections with your HVAC technician. They understand how your air handler works and can identify minor problems before they cause serious damage.
As a general rule, try to schedule professional appointments at least twice a year, once in the spring and again in the early fall. This way, your system will be properly tuned up and ready to handle the extreme temperature changes with ease.
Keep These Air Handler Maintenance Tips in Mind
If you’re looking for a simple way to keep your home’s HVAC system running smoothly, taking care of routine air handler maintenance is an absolute must. Make sure to follow these simple tips and you’ll be able to keep your air handler running smoothly.
Just remember that maintenance is never a substitute for professional tune-ups with your HVAC technician. Schedule them twice a year and you’ll be in good shape.
Not sure how to find an HVAC technician you can trust? Check out our latest posts for more tips.
