New Year’s Resolutions for the Home

1/2/2015

People are getting started on their New Year’s resolutions this week, whether that means taking that first step into a gym or training class, finally organizing their computer files and closets, or simply reading and cooking more. Although these are great goals to have and live up to, you might be forgetting a couple of things.

Next to yours and your family’s health and well-being, the second most important thing to take into consideration is your home’s health and standing. How attentive were you to your home this past year? Want to save money and energy this year? Tired of keeping the heat on all day long?

New Year’s Resolutions

We’ve compiled a list of 5 things that you can do in the new year that will improve the life and efficiency of your HVAC system, enhance your indoor comfort, and save lots of money.

1. Seal up your home. The best thing you can do to save money and create a more energy-efficient home is to go around your house checking for sources of air leaks and poor insulation. You can go around your house with a piece of toilet paper or an incense/smoke stick and hold it up to areas you suspect have an air leak. Most air leaks occur in your basement and attic, your windows and doors.

Here is a map that will guide you through your home as you search for high leak areas:

Source: energy.gov

Sealing air leaks will not only provide you with comfort by getting rid of drafts and cold spots; it will also make sure that you don’t have unwanted moisture entering your home, causing damage to the health and structure of your home.

2. Check and/or change air filters every month. This is perhaps the most important maintenance that you as a homeowner can do to your HVAC system. A dirty air filter is the cause of a whole host of bad symptoms, including poor indoor air quality, delayed ignition or start-up time, frequent system failures, bad smells, and much more!

Over 85% of all our service calls could have been prevented with proper maintenance. This includes changing your air filter every 30-90 days (depending on how often you use your HVAC system, if you have pets, etc.) but is also heavily dependent on annual professional maintenance, which takes us to #3.

3. Schedule annual maintenance on heating and cooling systems. Nobody is forcing you to schedule maintenance on your HVAC system; it is up to you. But, it is important to understand that your manufacturer’s warranty on your equipment only remains in effect if you schedule regular maintenance on your heating and cooling systems. Manufacturers know, as do we, that unmaintained systems do not operate very well and last about half as long as a maintained system.

A system that has not been maintained might last you around ten years if you are lucky, however, if it has been properly maintained throughout the years, it can easily serve you well for 20+ years.

Regular HVAC maintenance will reduce repair costs, extend the life of your system, and save you money on energy bills and repairs/replacements.

So you don’t have to remember to call your local HVAC company twice a year, your best bet is signing up for our Club Membership, which will guarantee that your manufacturer warranties stay in effect, give you 20% off all HVAC repairs, and much more!

4. Perform your own system maintenance. Besides inspecting and/or changing your air filters:

Check air supply and returns vents for proper airflow. If you have rugs, furniture, or other items blocking your vents, be sure to rearrange things so that they are not obstructed.
Check chimney flue for creosote buildup and schedule a chimney cleaning every 1-2 years (depending on the frequency of use). This is very important as neglected chimneys are often the source of home fires in the winter.
Maintain a clear path to and around your furnace and air conditioner. Remove any visible dirt and debris and have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home and next to your furnace. Keep at least 3 feet clearance around your system; it needs to pull air from its surroundings.
If your home runs on propane, make sure you check the levels or have equipment installed to let you know when your supplies are low. Often, you will have to pay more if you wait too long. Refill your tank before it reaches 25%.

5. Inspect your air ducts. Ideally, air ducts should be inspected and cleaned every 3-5 years, but we know that air ducts are out-of-sight-out-of-mind. To determine if your home needs a duct cleaning, you can inspect them yourself with your flash camera phone or camera. Simply remove one of the vents in your home and stick the camera in it and snap a picture. The resulting photo will let you know how dirty or clean your air ducts are.

Dust, smoke, pollen, chemicals, mold, fungus, and germs buildup in your ductwork to the detriment of your health and HVAC system. For people with allergies, asthma, and other breathing problems, a dirty air duct system will aggravate symptoms and cause many health problems, both short-term and long-term. Indoor air pollution is ranked in the top 5 environmental risks to public health. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that indoor air pollution can be up to 100 times higher than outdoor pollutant levels!

With over 90% of your time spent indoors, it is critical that you have good indoor air quality. Call Service Legends today to have your air ducts inspected and cleaned.

Service Legends is a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), a reputable HVAC inspection, cleaning, and restoration association.

Give us 4 hours and we’ll help you:

Avoid headaches, sleep problems, allergies, and more
Unclog sinuses that cause pain, drowsiness, and mental confusion
Avoid spending money on over-the-counter drugs that are expensive, habit-forming and questionable value
Be more comfortable, refreshed, and alert
Eliminate the resistance and blockage of airflow that robs your furnace and air conditioner of top efficiency
Reduce costly repairs and breakdowns

515-657-6634 Request Appointment Online

Heating and Cooling Des Moines Since 1997

At Service Legends, we take pride in heating and cooling Des Moines and the surrounding areas. Our HVAC services include furnace and air conditioner installation, repairs, maintenance, and tune-ups. Our lineup of Indoor Air Quality solutions includes whole-home humidifiers, air purifiers, and air filtration systems. We can even help with HVAC financing.

Call 515-657-6634 to contact our Home Comfort Heroes today. We’re standing by 24/7.