Tips to Prepare HVAC Units for Fluctuating Weather

When the seasons start to change in Los Angeles, CA, it can feel impossible to keep your house at a comfortable temperature. You wake up freezing, but by the time your heating system warms up, it’s too hot in your house.

The good news is it’s not a futile endeavor; there are ways to prepare your HVAC unit for the changing weather and keep your house comfortable year-round.   

How to Prepare Your Unit for Seasonal Changes

Fluctuating weather in Los Angeles can be disastrous for an unprepared HVAC unit. Let’s look at some simple steps you can take to make sure your HVAC unit is ready for the impending seasonal changes:

Install a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat can totally overhaul the way you think about home comfort. You can set it and forget it and let the thermostat do the work.

Smart thermostats monitor the weather and automatically adjust your HVAC control based on your set preferences. For example, you can program it to turn on the air conditioning if the weather gets above 75 degrees or to turn on the heat when the temperature dips below a certain point.

No matter what the weather is like outside, make use of a smart thermostat to regulate the temperature indoors. Invest and take control of the comfort in your home.

Ensure Doors and Windows Are Not Drafty

As your windows age and the weather stripping on your doors wears thin, it creates drafts in your home. These drafts can lead to cold spots in your home and force your HVAC unit to work overtime to try to make up for it. Not only does this add stress to your unit, but it can also drive up your energy bills as well.

Double-check the seals on doors and windows and fix them as needed. It is much cheaper to proactively fix a drafty window or replace weather stripping than it is to repair or replace your home heating system.  

Check for Clogs

A clog in your HVAC system that goes undetected can cause big problems when the weather starts fluctuating. Every couple of months, you should do a walkthrough of your house and check all of the supply and return vents for clogs. If a vent is covered by furniture or drapery, remove the obstruction and make sure the grate is clear.

If you notice a vent has reduced airflow, but you don’t see anything blocking it, there may be a clog somewhere deeper in your system. It’s best to have it looked at by a professional to address the problem properly. 

Consider a Zoning System

Adding a zoning system to your HVAC unit allows you to direct more or less airflow to certain rooms. This setup can help if you’re suffering from uneven heating in your home or if different rooms just have different heating needs.

For a professional opinion, ask your local HVAC contractor if your home would benefit from the addition of a zoning system. 

Home Heating System Maintenance 

Simply maintaining your HVAC unit is one of the best ways to keep it prepared for every season. Below are some simple maintenance tips to keep in mind as the season’s change in Los Angeles:

Don’t Skip Annual Tune-Ups

Your home’s heating and cooling systems need annual tune-ups to maintain their peak performance. Many homeowners forget to get their annual tune-ups and only seek out AC services in the Los Angeles area when they run into a problem. But this can be a costly mistake.

Before you turn on your AC or heat for the first time, have a comprehensive tune-up performed. Tune-ups give professionals a chance to catch and fix problems early and make sure everything is still working correctly. Any good tune-up will also include professional cleaning of all of the components in your unit. 

Keep Your Filter Clean

As part of your annual tune-up, your unit’s air filter should be replaced. However, between tune-ups, it’s up to you to periodically check the filter and make sure it isn’t clogged or too dirty.

When the fall or spring rolls around, the number of allergens and pollutants in the air skyrockets. This increase can cause your air filter to clog or wear out prematurely. If your air filter is especially dirty, you should clean it or replace it or call your trusted local HVAC contractor to do so. 

Double-Check Your Insulation

The insulation in your home isn’t just there to keep in the heat. It helps keep your home at a constant temperature, whether warm or cool.

Over time, insulation degradation can cause uneven heating and cooling in your home. If you notice this problem, check that your home’s insulation is still up to par. Subpar insulation can drive up energy costs and leave your house vulnerable. 

When Do I Need a Heating Replacement?

Every heating system will need to be replaced eventually. In general, if your heater is over 20 years old, it’s a good idea to get it replaced. However, if you’ve kept up with maintenance over the years and aren’t experiencing any problems, your heater could last well beyond that.

Your trusted local HVAC contractor can give you better advice after assessing your situation, but the following are some general warning signs that it may be time to replace your heating system:

• Banging, rattling, or screeching sounds
• Frequent cycling
• Heating bill has skyrocketed 
• Your heating system requires frequent repairs
• Furnace’s pilot flame is yellow or orange
• Severe corrosion
• Uneven heating

Of course, some of these things can be caused by minor problems that do not require a total heating replacement. For example, uneven heating in your home could be caused by a simple clog in your vents. That’s why it’s important to get a professional opinion whenever you start noticing signs that something is off. 

How to Pick the Right HVAC Contractor

Having a trusted HVAC contractor in the Los Angeles area that you can build a relationship with is crucial to maintaining your home’s HVAC system. Anybody can advertise heating and cooling services, but that doesn’t mean you can trust them or their work. It’s important to vet any HVAC contractor or company before hiring them.

Any contractor you let work on your home should be fully licensed. If you let an unlicensed person work on your home, you take on a lot of legal risks. A trustworthy contractor  will always be upfront about pricing and not try to hit you with hidden fees and charges.

They should make you feel heard and be prompt when you request an inspection or other service. Any kind of service guarantee or warranty on services is also a good sign because it means they believe in their work.

Don’t be afraid to take your time to find the right contractor for you. When you are proactive in finding a contractor, instead of waiting for a problem and reacting, you can take the time to do research and feel good about your decision. 

Cooling and Heating Services in the Los Angeles Area

There is no shortage of companies offering heating and cooling services in Los Angeles, CA, but they aren’t all equal. Whether you’ve run into a problem with your HVAC unit or you need some help preparing for the next season, reach out to the pros at Service Genius.

After being in business for years, we’ve earned our place as Los Angeles’ premier provider of heating and cooling services. With our reliable, fully licensed technicians, professional services, and affordable tune-ups, there’s no reason to go anywhere else. Reach out to us today!