New Year, New Goals. Right? How about this one: “I will take better care of my central heating and air conditioning system.” That may not seem like such an important goal, but stop a minute and think. Fact #1: Without a properly operating heating and AC system, your family would be miserable. Fact #2: Replacing a broken-down system can cost thousands of dollars. Conclusion? Keeping your system running at its best can save you thousands and is an important goal. Agreed? How can you live up to this New Year’s resolution? Here are five tips from GAMA Air to keep your family (and your system) happy and healthy.
Give it a Rest
Think of how on a car it isn’t the age that matters as much as how many miles are on it. In the same way your heating system will last longer if it doesn’t run when not needed. Installing a programmable thermostat that keeps your heater from running unnecessarily when you are not at home, and that turns the temperature down slightly at night will make the heating unit work less and extend its life.
Check for Leaks
If you heat your home with a heat pump then it has refrigerant. Even a tiny leak will force the heat pump to run longer and longer each day to keep you comfortable. We recommend having your heating system checked before every heating season by a qualified service professional. Checking for leaks is one of the many things we perform during our seasonal system tune-up and safety check. If a leak is found, then have it fixed. Adding more refrigerant without fixing the leak is not the solution.
Keep the Outdoor Unit Clean
This is another tip for your heat pump. In an early post about how heat pumps work we explained that the radiator-like coil that surrounds the compressor inside needs good airflow. Make sure there is nothing blocking the airflow on the top where the fan is, and that all sides of the coil are free of leaves, clippings, dirt or plants. Trim plants back regularly, giving at least 18 inches of space all the way around. But please be careful if you try to clean it. The coil is very delicate and using a brush or high-pressure water can damage it and lead to greater problems. This is one of the steps that a professional service company will perform in a system tune-up, just like we do here at GAMA Air. If the outside unit is kept clean then there will be less of a chance of mechanical failure.
Perform an Airflow Check
Proper airflow inside your home is needed to ensure the heating system operates properly and efficiently. You should not have any furniture, curtains, or other things blocking the supply registers or cold air returns. Airflow is also affected if your air filter is dirty so change it at regular intervals.
Keep the Exhaust Clear
If you heat your home with a furnace then check the flue, or exhaust vent. In an earlier post about how furnaces work, we explained that the flue is what vents the fumes from the furnace to outside your home. If it is completely clogged the furnace will shut off to protect your family, and to keep from overheating. If it is partially blocked then the furnace may not shut off but will be running close to the shut-off temperature. And if you have a high-efficiency furnace then there is another vent pipe where the furnace is pulling in air to burn. Make sure they are both clear.
Signing up for a maintenance program will give you peace of mind knowing you are taking better care of your central heating and air conditioning system. If the word ‘maintenance’ raises a red flag in your mind, read our post “Does My System Really Need ‘Maintenance’?”. Here at GAMA Air we want your heating system to have a long and healthy life! You can call us at
New Year, New Goals. Right? How about this one: “I will take better care of my central heating and air conditioning system.” That may not seem like such an important goal, but stop a minute and think. Fact #1: Without a properly operating heating and AC system, your family would be miserable. Fact #2: Replacing a broken-down system can cost thousands of dollars. Conclusion? Keeping your system running at its best can save you thousands and is an important goal. Agreed? How can you live up to this New Year’s resolution? Here are five tips from GAMA Air to keep your family (and your system) happy and healthy.
Give it a Rest
Think of how on a car it isn’t the age that matters as much as how many miles are on it. In the same way your heating system will last longer if it doesn’t run when not needed. Installing a programmable thermostat that keeps your heater from running unnecessarily when you are not at home, and that turns the temperature down slightly at night will make the heating unit work less and extend its life.
Check for Leaks
If you heat your home with a heat pump then it has refrigerant. Even a tiny leak will force the heat pump to run longer and longer each day to keep you comfortable. We recommend having your heating system checked before every heating season by a qualified service professional. Checking for leaks is one of the many things we perform during our seasonal system tune-up and safety check. If a leak is found, then have it fixed. Adding more refrigerant without fixing the leak is not the solution.
Keep the Outdoor Unit Clean
This is another tip for your heat pump. In an early post about how heat pumps work we explained that the radiator-like coil that surrounds the compressor inside needs good airflow. Make sure there is nothing blocking the airflow on the top where the fan is, and that all sides of the coil are free of leaves, clippings, dirt or plants. Trim plants back regularly, giving at least 18 inches of space all the way around. But please be careful if you try to clean it. The coil is very delicate and using a brush or high-pressure water can damage it and lead to greater problems. This is one of the steps that a professional service company will perform in a system tune-up, just like we do here at GAMA Air. If the outside unit is kept clean then there will be less of a chance of mechanical failure.
Perform an Airflow Check
Proper airflow inside your home is needed to ensure the heating system operates properly and efficiently. You should not have any furniture, curtains, or other things blocking the supply registers or cold air returns. Airflow is also affected if your air filter is dirty so change it at regular intervals.
Keep the Exhaust Clear
If you heat your home with a furnace then check the flue, or exhaust vent. In an earlier post about how furnaces work, we explained that the flue is what vents the fumes from the furnace to outside your home. If it is completely clogged the furnace will shut off to protect your family, and to keep from overheating. If it is partially blocked then the furnace may not shut off but will be running close to the shut-off temperature. And if you have a high-efficiency furnace then there is another vent pipe where the furnace is pulling in air to burn. Make sure they are both clear.
Signing up for a maintenance program will give you peace of mind knowing you are taking better care of your central heating and air conditioning system. If the word ‘maintenance’ raises a red flag in your mind, read our post “Does My System Really Need ‘Maintenance’?”. Here at GAMA Air we want your heating system to have a long and healthy life! You can call us at
New Year, New Goals. Right? How about this one: “I will take better care of my central heating and air conditioning system.” That may not seem like such an important goal, but stop a minute and think. Fact #1: Without a properly operating heating and AC system, your family would be miserable. Fact #2: Replacing a broken-down system can cost thousands of dollars. Conclusion? Keeping your system running at its best can save you thousands and is an important goal. Agreed? How can you live up to this New Year’s resolution? Here are five tips from GAMA Air to keep your family (and your system) happy and healthy.
Give it a Rest
Think of how on a car it isn’t the age that matters as much as how many miles are on it. In the same way your heating system will last longer if it doesn’t run when not needed. Installing a programmable thermostat that keeps your heater from running unnecessarily when you are not at home, and that turns the temperature down slightly at night will make the heating unit work less and extend its life.
Check for Leaks
If you heat your home with a heat pump then it has refrigerant. Even a tiny leak will force the heat pump to run longer and longer each day to keep you comfortable. We recommend having your heating system checked before every heating season by a qualified service professional. Checking for leaks is one of the many things we perform during our seasonal system tune-up and safety check. If a leak is found, then have it fixed. Adding more refrigerant without fixing the leak is not the solution.
Keep the Outdoor Unit Clean
This is another tip for your heat pump. In an early post about how heat pumps work we explained that the radiator-like coil that surrounds the compressor inside needs good airflow. Make sure there is nothing blocking the airflow on the top where the fan is, and that all sides of the coil are free of leaves, clippings, dirt or plants. Trim plants back regularly, giving at least 18 inches of space all the way around. But please be careful if you try to clean it. The coil is very delicate and using a brush or high-pressure water can damage it and lead to greater problems. This is one of the steps that a professional service company will perform in a system tune-up, just like we do here at GAMA Air. If the outside unit is kept clean then there will be less of a chance of mechanical failure.
Perform an Airflow Check
Proper airflow inside your home is needed to ensure the heating system operates properly and efficiently. You should not have any furniture, curtains, or other things blocking the supply registers or cold air returns. Airflow is also affected if your air filter is dirty so change it at regular intervals.
Keep the Exhaust Clear
If you heat your home with a furnace then check the flue, or exhaust vent. In an earlier post about how furnaces work, we explained that the flue is what vents the fumes from the furnace to outside your home. If it is completely clogged the furnace will shut off to protect your family, and to keep from overheating. If it is partially blocked then the furnace may not shut off but will be running close to the shut-off temperature. And if you have a high-efficiency furnace then there is another vent pipe where the furnace is pulling in air to burn. Make sure they are both clear.
Signing up for a maintenance program will give you peace of mind knowing you are taking better care of your central heating and air conditioning system. If the word ‘maintenance’ raises a red flag in your mind, read our post “Does My System Really Need ‘Maintenance’?”. Here at GAMA Air we want your heating system to have a long and healthy life! You can call us at (310) 651-6936 or use our online form to schedule a tune-up.
Curious about something related to your heating system? Visit our “Ask an Expert” page and let us know what’s on your mind.