Month: March 2018

Worker installing or maintaining a home vent for residential ventilation system or air conditioning.

Preparing Your HVAC System for Spring and Summer

Posted on | by Mike Klebs

Spring is on its way, and for many of us in the Anchorage and Mat-su areas, it couldn’t come too soon! One of the biggest benefits of springtime weather is the reduction in the use of your heater. It will be nice to see those energy bills go down for sure. However, as the season warms it is a great time to consider maintenance on this system – that way when the temperatures start falling again you’re ready to go. Here are a few tips we’ve put together to help you prepare your summer HVAC system for the more temperate months ahead.

  • Continue to Change Your Filters – Even as you run your system less, your filters will still collect dust and impurities in the air. Don’t forget to change your filter to keep your furnace running economically and your air fresh and clean.
  • Check Your Outside Unit – As the snow melts and you can get around outdoors a bit better, check your outdoor unit and make sure there are no major faults or damage. You may want to take the opportunity to sweep away any debris too, to avoid future problems.
  • Check Your Ductwork – Check out your ductwork and look for any holes or gaps that may need repair. In addition, if you think it is time to have the ducts cleaned, having the work completed in the off-season makes sense as it may be easier to find a technician with the time to complete the job quickly.
  • Clean Up Around Indoor Unit – Your furnace cannot function properly and may actually be dangerous to run if you are crowding the unit with your clutter. Take time to clean up the area surrounding your unit; sweep and dust to keep it working smoothly and safely.
  • Schedule Professional Maintenance – There is no substitute for quality, professional maintenance. Call the pros and let them give your system an end-of-season once over. The price to pay is minimal when compared to what you’ll pay if your unit requires major repair in the future. And if you join our hassle-free KLEBS Care program, which includes regular maintenance and discounts, you’ll save money, stress and more! 

While you may see spring as the time when you have less reliance on your heater, in reality, it is the perfect time to give it a little extra attention. If you have any questions about springtime maintenance or you would like one of our technicians to come and check out our system, reach out to us a KLEBS today. We make your home and family our #1 priority.

Residential furnace filter.

When to Replace Your HVAC Air Filter

Posted on | by Mike Klebs

Your HVAC system may be the one part of your home that gets more use than any other. After all, your heater runs nearly constantly much of the year to keep you and your family warm. So, with all of that in mind, how often should you really change your HVAC air filter?

HVAC Filters Need to be Changed When They are Dirty

In reality, there is no one easy answer to “how often does my HVAC air filter need to be changed?” Essentially, air filters should be changed when they’re dirty. Think about what the air filters do and why they are important to your HVAC system, and you’ll have no trouble understanding why they need changing as often as they do.

Even though you don’t often think about it, there is dirt, dust and other contaminants in the air around you. If you have pets or smokers in your house, there is even more than usual. But no matter how clean your home is, dust in the air is just the natural way of the world. The contaminants in the air don’t work well with your furnace either. They may cause your furnace to become damaged more quickly than otherwise and it is not that pleasant having contaminants blown in your face every time you turn the system on, is it?

Also, it is vital to note that any particles in the air of your home can make allergies worse, lead to congestion and even trigger symptoms of asthma. Plus, a home with contaminated air is simply dustier and dirtier than one without.

The air filter in your furnace catches the majority of the matter before it reaches your vent, letting air through but keeping the dirt contained so it doesn’t invade your home or cause the HVAC unit to malfunction. A filter becomes clogged by all the dirt and dust trapped in it. Clogs like this make it harder for the air to blow through the system. When this happens, your HVAC will not do an efficient job of keeping your home warm and cozy. This can mean higher energy bills and a colder home.

So How Often Should You Change Your Filter?

Pull your filter out and look at it now. Is it black, dark or dingy? If so, it probably needs to be changed. For most households changing every 2 months, or so, is sufficient. However, if your furnace is being used regularly or there are additional contaminants in your home you may think about changing every 4 weeks or even more often.

As you can see, deciding when to change your HVAC air filter isn’t a question with one simple answer. One of the best things you can do is to talk to a professional about this topic. Reach out to us at KLEBS. Our experts can help you decide how often changing your filter may be necessary and answer any other questions you may have regarding this important system in your home. We look forward to talking to you.