The start of the new year brings opportunities for the betterment of yourself as well as your Salem, OR, residence. A few simple changes to how you use and maintain your HVAC system can go a long way toward boosting the comfort and efficiency of your home. Annual maintenance for your AC and heating system are the first line of defense for saving money and ensuring your HVAC system lasts. Now, let’s look at some of the other top HVAC resolutions you can make for the new year.

Routinely Change Your Filters

There is a filter in your HVAC system that removes particulate matter from the air that is circulating throughout your equipment, ductwork, and home. This includes contaminants such as pet dander, dust, mold spores, and pollen. Most filters must be changed every 30 to 90 days, depending on the type of filter you’re using. There are also washable versions that don’t need to be replaced or maintained very often. We can help you come up with a schedule for changing your filter that is optimal for protecting your indoor air quality as well as the integrity of your heating and cooling equipment.

You should also keep up with changing the filters in your air purification equipment, humidity-controlling equipment, heat pump, etc. If you or someone in your home suffers from allergies, asthma, or some other type of chronic respiratory condition, changing your filters more frequently may be beneficial. You may want to consider upgrading your filter as well.

Upgrade Your Thermostat

Smart thermostats are becoming more prevalent in residences in the Salem area. They provide several features that can help boost the comfort level of your home while also decreasing the amount of energy your household uses. This can save you money on your utility bills.

A smart thermostat allows you to control the features of your thermostat regardless of where you are located. If you are away on vacation or at work for the day and have forgotten to adjust accordingly, you can do so remotely. This prevents you from overrunning your heating and cooling equipment when nobody is home. You can adjust when arriving home, so you experience comfortable air right when you walk in. Remote monitoring allows better control over your HVAC system to protect your home and heating and cooling equipment.

Another feature that smart thermostats provide is geofencing. Your thermostat will determine your location based on where your smart device is. Adjustments will be made in anticipation of your departure and arrival without you having to do anything. Your smart thermostat may also be able to learn your heating and cooling patterns to make appropriate adjustments.

Keep Up With Routine Inspections and Maintenance

For the best results, our team can come to your home at least once a year for routine maintenance and inspection of your HVAC system. We use this appointment as an opportunity to spot any minor issues that may be occurring with your HVAC setup. We can make repairs as needed, often preventing major problems from taking place. This can also boost the overall efficiency of your HVAC system, saving you money in the long run. In addition to inspecting each component, we lubricate moving parts, check your refrigerant level, and check electrical connections.

If you have noticed any issues with your HVAC system recently, this is the perfect time to let us know what’s going on. We can keep that information in mind as we perform your routine maintenance. Things to watch out for include abnormal sounds during runtime, odd smells, sparks, smoke, sudden spikes in your energy bills, and hot or cold spots throughout your home.

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is so important to your physical health as well as your mental health. There are contaminants we discussed regarding changing your air filter that can diminish the quality of your indoor air. In addition to changing your filter regularly, we encourage you to investigate the different types of whole-house air purification equipment currently available. Many of these units use high-efficiency particulate air filters, or HEPA filters for short. HEPA filters can remove as much as 99.97% of the particulate matter in your indoor air and can be especially beneficial for allergy sufferers and people with respiratory issues.

You can also have a UV light installed on your HVAC system to reduce your exposure to bacteria, viruses, mold spores, and other pathogens. This light damages the DNA of these microbes, so they no longer pose a risk to your health.

You should keep your indoor relative humidity between 35% and 50%. You can use whole-house dehumidifiers and humidifiers to remove or add moisture to your indoor air. High levels of humidity can lead to mold and mildew growth. Dry air can irritate your sinuses and skin and cause damage to things like wood flooring and furnishings.

You can also boost the quality of your indoor air by scheduling a duct cleaning every three to five years. If you’ve never had this done before or it’s been many years, 2025 is the perfect time to get this service on your schedule. This can also protect your heating and cooling equipment, leading to fewer repair needs.

Consider an HVAC System Upgrade

Heating and cooling equipment typically lasts anywhere from 10 to 20 years, depending on how well it was taken care of, how frequently it ran, etc. If you are nearing the end of this time frame, the new year may be the perfect time to schedule an upgrade. This can provide you with a more comfortable indoor environment, reduce your energy consumption, and protect your indoor air quality.

Working with our experienced team can help you better determine the best equipment to install in your home. If you choose equipment that is too big or small for the size of your home, this can lead to inefficiency. We also consider your home’s heating and cooling needs based on how many people are in the home, the temperature you like to keep your home at, your budget, and other factors.

There are often rebates and incentives that can offset the cost of a new furnace or air conditioner installation. We can provide you with information regarding this option.

Adjust Your Thermostat

Consider adjusting your temperature settings by just a couple of degrees. This usually isn’t that much of an adjustment that will greatly affect your comfort, but it can save quite a bit of money. It can also lengthen the lifespan of your HVAC equipment. The recommended interior temperature for winter is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit, while an optimal interior temperature for summer is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you would like assistance with the maintenance of your HVAC system, don’t hesitate to contact our team here at Home Comfort Inc.. We also offer emergency repairs and installations of heating and cooling equipment, including commercial HVAC. We also address indoor air quality concerns by installing whole-house filtration equipment, humidity control equipment, and more.

Contact Home Comfort Inc. in Salem today to schedule an appointment for HVAC maintenance and more.

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