St. Louis has many kinds of weather, with the hot and humid summers and the cold and icy winters being the most notable. If you own a home or a business there, you know how essential an HVAC system is for maintaining comfort and energy efficiency, not to mention the system’s impact on your overall cost of operating that space.
However, the efficiency and longevity of your unit can be greatly impacted by how well you prepare it for the very different Missouri seasons. With that in mind, here is a simple guide (courtesy of our friends at Anton’s Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, & Energy Experts) to getting your HVAC St Louis system ready for the annual climate shifts that the city offers.
Spring and Summer Preparation
When the heat is on, your home or office will soon be relying on the air conditioning unit to keep it cool. Adequate maintenance in the spring will ensure that the system runs efficiently and coolly, and that it minimizes any breakdowns during the most crucial part of the heat-beating-down summer.
- Replace Air Filters: Change your air filters every 1-3 months to improve air quality and system efficiency. A filter that gets too dirty makes your furnace work harder, leading to a higher energy bill and a greater chance of inefficient performance or breakdown.
- Clean and Inspect Condenser Unit: Your outdoor condenser unit can gather dirt, debris, leaves, and such over the fall and winter months. Remove them. And while you’re at it, clean the coils, too.
- Check Refrigerant Levels: Low refrigerant levels can sharply reduce the efficiency of cooling systems and mean that a leak might be present. If you suspect that your refrigerant levels are low, a licensed technician can examine your system and recharge it if necessary.
- Schedule Annual Professional Maintenance: Arrange for a certified HVAC technician to conduct a yearly tune-up. This ensures that any potential issues are identified before they become a problem.
Fall and Winter Preparation
As the temperatures fall, your furnace will do the work to keep your home warm and comfortable. Ready your HVAC St Louis like Anton’s Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, & Energy Experts in advance so you can rely on it to operate both safely and efficiently.
- Check the Furnace: Over time, dust and debris can accumulate in your furnace. Cleaning its components and checking the critical elements (the burners and heat exchanger) helps prevent malfunctions and ensures that the furnace operates efficiently.
- Swap Out or Clean Furnace Filters: Similar to how you would in the summer, it is vital to regularly change or clean your furnace filters in order to maintain the necessary airflow and indoor air quality during the cold months.
- Ducts and Air Leaks: Properly sealed ducts and windows hold heat in, reducing the effort of your furnace and saving you some energy costs. Use caulk and weather stripping to close any obvious leaks up tight.
- Inspect Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Because furnaces give off carbon monoxide, it is critically important to have working detectors in your home or office. Regularly check the detectors and change the batteries as necessary.
Regular HVAC St Louis Services Keep Your System in Top Condition
St. Louis residents can guarantee year-round comfort when they heed these seasonal HVAC maintenance suggestions. They can also improve energy efficiency and extend the lifespan of their heating and cooling systems. Don’t wait for extreme weather to find out your HVAC system needs attention; prepare ahead and stay comfortable all year long.
