Having a set schedule for hard-to-remember tasks can make a world of difference. If you know you are going to do a load of laundry every Thursday, it is harder to forget, it becomes a habit, and you have clean clothes to wear. So why not do the same thing when it comes to your HVAC filter?

Changing your HVAC filter is an important task that is easily forgotten by many homeowners. It is usually out of sight so it is easy to forget about. Not to mention all of the other tasks and to-do’s that are on your mind! Set your HVAC filter changing to an annual cleaning schedule will keep your HVAC system running smoothly, the air in your home will improve, and you can avoid unnecessary repairs or expenses by staying on top of these important tasks.

What should your annual cleaning schedule look like? Well, a lot of that will depend on you, your lifestyle, and your current schedule. But if you don’t really have a schedule yet we are here to help! Below you can find a basic and annual HVAC maintenance schedule, that will help prevent the need for repairs. It also includes a designated time to change your HVAC filter. This schedule includes an HVAC filter change each quarter, but check with your manual as some systems require a filter change once a month.

 

Spring

• Change your HVAC filter
• Have you HVAC system inspected by a professional
  • Whether or not your HVAC system is having any problems and no matter how old it is, you should have it inspected, serviced, and cleaned once a year by trained professionals like those at Complete Heating and Air. Spring is a great time to do this inspection; it has been working for you throughout the winter to keep your home warm, and will continue to work for you keeping your home cool.
• Check the condensate drain
• Making sure the drain is working will keep your humidity levels in check and prevent water damage.

Summer

• Change your HVAC filter
• Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils
• This is important to do before the summer months because dirty coils mean your system will have a hard time keeping you cool during the summer heat!

Fall

• Change your HVAC filter
• Lubricate all moving parts
• Check that all motors and moving parts have enough lubrication as you gear up for winter. The more friction the more electricity you will use, so it’s important to diminish any unnecessary amount of friction!
• Tighten all electrical connections
• Improper electrical connections could put you at risk for an accident and shorten the life of your HVAC system as well. Before the cold sets in, make sure everything is connected securely and properly.

Winter

• Change your HVAC filter
• Check your thermostat settings
• Make sure you are warm enough during the evenings you’re at home, but when you’re away you can lower the temperature a few degrees to save some energy and money on your utility bill.  

 

 

When you are expecting company, you likely spend time tidying up and putting things away. You may even light a candle or spray some air freshener. While they smell nice, these products actually worsen the air quality in your home. But having a good smelling home is a great way to welcome guests and make them feel comfortable. You also deserve to have a great smelling home to enjoy every day! There is a way to make your home smell great without affecting your air quality. All you need is a new air filter and some essential oils!

Changing Your AC Filter

We’ve talked about the importance of getting an AC tune up from trusted professionals like those at Complete Heating and Air, as well as of regularly changing your air filter. Not only will these services allow your HVAC system to stay efficient and effective, it will improve the air quality in your home by capturing pollen, mold spores, dust, smoke, pet dander and smog. Simply changing your air filter may make a noticeable difference in the way your home smells.

Essential Oils and Your Air Filter

Changing your air filter may mean cleaner air, but it’s not going it give it a noticeably pleasant smell like a candle would. This is when those essential oils come in handy! You can actually make your home smell better by adding some essential oils to your AC filter.

To do this, make sure you start with a new air filter. You don’t want to add oils to one that is already dirty and clogged. Next, choose the scent you’d like to add to your air filter. Don’t be afraid to go bold here! And don’t be scared to try a combination of fragrances. Vanilla is a tried and true classic. Or, you can combine lemon and lavender, or peppermint and eucalyptus. The possibilities are endless and completely up to you.

Once you’ve decided on the new scent for your home, it’s time to put them on your filter. This step is simple; just place 15 to 20 drops directly on the air filter. You can place the drops on either side, but be sure to spread them out over the entire surface instead of concentrating each drop in one area. Do not use more than 20 drops. Then, pop your air filter back in. As the air blows through the filter and circulates through your home, so will the scent from your oils. The fresh scent should last several weeks. As it fades add a few more drops, and when the time comes to replace your air filter you can look forward to trying out a new combination of essential oils!

Swamp Coolers Too

Having a swamp cooler work to keep you comfortable this summer doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a great smelling home. Grab some cotton balls and mist with essential oils. Then, put the cotton balls on a disposable swamp cooler pad, add some cheesecloth on top, and staple the edges together. Put your scented pad in your swamp cooler and enjoy a better smelling home with improved air quality.

If you have children, you know how easy it is for them to get into anything and everything. Whether it’s cupboards in the kitchen, or pens from the drawer, our little ones have a gift for creating messes. Your child may have even discovered the floor vents in your home. It may simply be a nuisance for you, like trying to fish your car keys or Legos out of the vent. But what about when it becomes a safety concern for the child? They could cut themselves on sharp edges or getting a leg stuck in the hole. Is there a better way to childproof your floor vents? Absolutely. Keep reading to find four ways to keep your kid and your keys safe.

Secure your registers

If your child likes to play peek-a-book with the inside of your floor vent it may be a good idea to secure the register. You can do this by screwing metal or nailing wooden register into the floor. Or you can try using double-sided tape or Velcro on the underside of your register to keep them down on the floor where they belong without putting holes in your register or floor.

Close it off

Obviously, we don’t mean closing off your floor vent completely. But there is a way to close it off and keep things from going down your vent while allowing air to continue to flow. Try using some window screen material and taping it down inside your floor vent to contain anything that is tossed inside. You could also try a dryer sheet or cheesecloth to close off the vent. This will make it much easier for you to collect toys from the vent and hopefully make it a little less appealing for your little one.

Cover it up

Hopefully the fascination with your floor vents is just a phase. Try to outlast your child by putting furniture over the vent that will still allow air to flow, but restricts their access to it. It may be a pain to move furniture, but it is a free way to childproof your floor vents until your child loses interest and moves on to another entertaining activity.

Use plastic

While this may not solve the issue of objects going down the floor vent you can easily avoid cuts and sharp edges by switching out metal registers for plastic ones. They are easy to find at your local hardware store and are a quick fix to avoid potential harm to your child.

The key with any of these solutions is to keep your child safe and keep the air in your home flowing, without compromising access to your vents (for adults, of course). Keeping your little one and their toys out of your floor vents can help you avoid airflow issues. And when it comes time to have your vents cleaned or you call Complete Heating and Air for any other services, you want to make sure their trained professionals have easy access to your entire HVAC system; floor vents included.