For businesses in Santa Rosa, there’s nothing more important than ensuring that your system will you at a reasonable temperature year-round. Retail companies have clients that want a comfortable environment for shopping, offices need to keep their staff comfortable, and even homeowners want to feel good at home no matter what the weather is like outside. No matter who you are or the kind of work you do, a fully-functioning HVAC system is essential to your success.
To help people understand the best ways that they can keep their systems in working order, we’ve assembled a list of the top five tips regarding how to stay on top of air duct maintenance in Santa Rosa. While all advice might not apply to you or your business, several of them will, so we encourage you to consider enacting these methods to extend the life of your HVAC system. Those who share the space with you – and your wallet – will thank you.
Part One: How You Can Manage Air Duct Maintenance in Santa Rosa
Our first tips are designed to give you access to the knowledge you need to conduct preventive maintenance on your own system. We don’t expect the average homeowner or business manager to repair significant issues with their HVAC systems; there are nevertheless a few things that you can do even if you have no official training:
- Change the Filters
Perhaps the simplest way to extend your system’s life is to change the air filters regularly. Within a month, your air ducts’ intake registers will accumulate a lot of dust that needs removal. While you can use reusable filters, we find that your best results come from the correctly-sized disposable filters. You can find replacement filters through various online sources or hardware stores, but you must order the correct size. When it comes to air duct maintenance in Santa Rosa, even a half-inch error can have a significant impact on your system in the long run. - Periodically Test for Leaks
Often, HVAC issues will show up first as inefficiencies. Like the proverbial frog in boiling water, you might not even realize that there’s a problem as your bill slowly increases. Since air duct issues can occur at any time and without warning, it’s important to periodically check for small leaks or issues that might not be immediately apparent. One way you can do this is to turn on your system and hold a piece of paper to various points along your ventilation. If it is blown away or sucked towards any of the joints in your vent system, then you have a leak that requires sealing.
It’s one thing to be aware of an issue, but there are many parts of HVAC maintenance that require a licensed professional to manage. Next, we address the ways in which you can minimize your expenses and maximize your return on HVAC maintenance.
Part Two: Efficiently Working with HVAC Contractors
When you work with contractors, they may do their best to get your system back to perfect condition, but the amount it costs you will likely be higher if you called them for emergency service. These tips will help you save money when working with licensed professionals:
- Clean Your Air Ducts
Every year or two, your ducts deserve a thorough cleaning. Over time, dust, spores, and anything that gets sucked into your air vents accumulates. Whether as a fine film or as an eventual clog, this buildup can both impact your system’s effectiveness and trigger allergic or asthmatic responses. As long as you keep up on duct cleaning at least semi-annually, you shouldn’t encounter any issues with these issues. - Schedule a Routine Checkup
We can’t encourage you enough to schedule regular visits from an HVAC contractor. The amount of time it takes them to examine your system thoroughly is much less than the time it takes for them to conduct emergency repairs. You can even line these visits up with your air duct cleaning to save time and money. - Call at the First Sign of Trouble
HVAC systems aren’t machines that tend to fix themselves. As with your car, it’s a good idea to get it checked out by a professional the moment that you notice an issue. Just as driving on a flat tire can damage your wheel, running your HVAC system when it already has a problem will only make things worse and potentially damage other parts of the system.
As long as you stay ahead of potential issues and schedule regular maintenance, you’ll both save money in the long run and ensure that your system is always working optimally.
Optimizing Air Duct Maintenance in Santa Rosa
While you can’t fix the system by yourself, the best way you can ensure that you’re on top of your air duct maintenance in Santa Rosa is by building a relationship with a trustworthy contractor. If you find one that works with you for a reasonable cost, then you’re in good shape. Next time, we’ll address the ways that you can identify a worthwhile contractor.
It takes a bit of research to determine if an HVAC provider is qualified yet the effort is well worth it. Ask each prospect if they have the proper licensing. The provider should be licensed by the state, city and/or county. Do not hesitate to request a copy of the company’s licenses to verify that they are indeed legitimate. Furthermore, the provider should be 
