Summer is over, leaving homeowners in anticipation of chilly evenings and falling leaves. This is also the time to conduct a thorough inspection of your HVAC system. By the time fall arrives, your air conditioning unit will have served you well for many months. It is important to conduct an inspection and some basic maintenance steps to keep your system properly functioning as temperatures drop. 

Inside Your Home

For many homeowners, the closet, attic or other space housing their interior HVAC components is often overlooked. This is an area where dust and debris can accumulate, which slows the flow of air in and out of your HVAC unit. Sweeping, vacuuming and otherwise cleaning this space not only allows your HVAC unit to function properly, it also reduces the risk of fire in your home. 

It's also important to change your air filters at the beginning of each season. These filters serve to prevent dust, mold and allergens from entering your system and being dispersed throughout your home. A dirty filter makes your HVAC unit work harder than it should. Purchasing filters in bulk makes it easy to swap them out at the end of each season.

Outside Your Home

Head outside to complete a visual inspection of your external HVAC unit. Make sure that any nearby landscaping has not grown close to the unit. There should be a clear path on all sides of your exterior HVAC unit, with no branches or plants encroaching into the area. A properly functioning HVAC unit requires a consistent flow of air, and overgrown landscaping can impede that process.

It's also important check that your unit is properly seated on a level base. Over time, soils can shift and the roots of nearby trees can impact the foundation upon which your HVAC unit is seated. Regular visual inspections allow homeowners to address any issues that could cause the unit to tilt, which can place stress on the lines running to and from the unit.

These are just a few basic steps that homeowners can take to keep their HVAC system running at its best. If your unit does not seem to be heating or cooling properly, it's time to place a call to an HVAC professional at ACTexas Air Conditioning who can make a more thorough inspection and troubleshoot any issues. If you need air conditioning maintenance, contact the team at ACTexas Air Conditioning today.