Maintaining Your North Georgia HVAC System

Living in Georgia has its perks, but when it comes to the weather, we are constantly experiencing drastic and unexpected changes, especially here in North Georgia. The northern parts of Georgia experience all of the typical seasonal temperatures, and the transitions between these can happen very quickly, causing your HVAC systems to continuously switch on and off. Because of this, your HVAC system may be worn sooner than other areas of Georgia, but with the correct annual maintenance, you can avoid having to replace your HVAC system so often. 

In order to avoid HVAC emergencies in the summer, you should practice these tips to prepare for the hot weather. 

1. Begin to Slightly Raise Thermostat: Putting your thermostat to work during the summer can save you a lot of money. Whenever you are away from your home, set your thermostat to a few degrees higher than you normally would, and when you return, you can adjust the temperature to a few degrees lower in order to cool back down. A programmable thermostat would allow you to adjust these settings while you are away and before you arrive back at home. You can save a small percentage on your energy bill by having the temperature turned up on your thermostat for a long duration of time. 

2. Cool Down with Ceiling Fans: Take advantage of your ceiling fans during the summer and use their cooling abilities to keep your house at a comfortable temperature. By using your ceiling fans throughout the day and night, you are then able to adjust your thermostat to a few degrees higher than you normally would and still experience cool temperatures within your home. Again, this will save you a lot of money in the long run, but will also help maintain a consistent temperature throughout the summer so that your HVAC unit doesn’t have to work harder and eventually push its limit. 

3. Clean Unit: Before switching your HVAC unit to cool for the warmer days ahead, take some time to clean out the unit and remove any leaves, sticks, or other outdoor debris. It is also beneficial to remove the grated cover of your HVAC unit and clean the fan blades, as well as the copper coils. The coils are what cool the air that flows through the unit, so it is important to regularly check and clean these. When discussing the flow of air inside your HVAC unit, you also need to check the ductwork of your system. Some of these spots can be hard to get to, but it is important to check your air ducts for leaks and holes that could cost you a lot of money if they aren’t taken care of. Some of these spots you may be able to seal yourself, but others may need professional help. 

4. Regular HVAC Maintenance: The most important aspect in maintaining your HVAC unit is to schedule regular HVAC services. You want to be prepared for the hot summer months by having a professional come in during the spring time to check your unit for repairs, tune-ups, and overall inspection. There is a lot you can do on your own, but having a professional come in to inspect, as well, will be icing on the cake for the success of your HVAC unit. 

Not only do you need to prepare your HVAC for the hot summer months, but also for the cooler fall and winter temperatures that North Georgia also experiences. 

1. Check Furnace Filter: Before the colder weather hits, you should check your furnace filter to see if it needs replacing. You should continue to check it throughout the winter months because the filter may need to be changed more than one time depending on how cold the temperatures actually are. However, when dealing with your furnace, you need to be careful when attempting self-repair. Sometimes, your furnace can break down and begin to malfunction and the immediate reaction may be to repair it yourself. These self-repairs can cause more damage to your furnace and any in-depth repairs should be handled by a professional for the safety of your home. 

2. Humidifier: Humid air feels warmer than dry air, so investing in a humidifier during the colder months can help you feel warmer in your home without having to crank up the heat. A simple plug-in humidifier can get the job done for one to two rooms within your home. If you are looking to solve this issue throughout your home and don’t want to buy multiple plug-in units, you can look into installing a humidifier unit that can connect to your electricity and water and can be used year-round. The installed humidifier unit can be turned off during the humid summers because remember, we still live in North Georgia. 

3. Setting the Thermostat Lower: Just like increasing the temperature on your thermostat during the summer, you will want to decrease the temperature on your thermostat during the winter in order to save money and energy. Whenever you are out of town for a few days and nights, you should set your thermostat to about 55 degrees. If you or someone else is currently living inside the home, you should set the thermostat to about 65 degrees. To stay warm, you can purchase a humidifier as mentioned above, or bundle up and make hot tea because these solutions are more efficient than turning up the heat in your home during the winter. 

4. Again, Regular HVAC Maintenance: Being prepared for colder weather before it actually hits is going to benefit you the most. Plan to schedule an inspection with a professional at the end of the summer or before winter hits in order to have repairs and any other maintenance completed. Again, this will be the ultimate key to success for your HVAC unit and the comfort of your home during the constant temperature changes of North Georgia. 

If you live in the North Georgia cities of Gainesville, Athens, Oakwood, Flowery Branch, Buford, Braselton, Dawsonville, Dacula, Duluth, Cumming, Snellville, Winder, Lawrenceville, Jefferson, Alpharetta, Dahlonega, Cornelia, Doraville, Dunwoody, Roswell, Stone Mountain, or Sandy Springs, contact us today to learn more about our regular maintenance services and how to get ahead of these fluctuating temperatures before they destroy your HVAC system. Call Conditioned Air at 770-536-7509.