Summers in North Carolina can be brutally hot and humid, meaning HVAC units and air conditioners have to work harder several months out of the year just to keep you cool. That can be a major strain on your system!

As fall brings cooler weather, many homeowners and businesses will switch on their heating systems for the first time in months. If you haven’t had your unit serviced in a while, don’t wait until there’s a catastrophic failure to give us a call. When there’s a major weather event, like a sudden cold snap, your system is more likely to fail because of the strain… and then you’ll be stuck waiting for service behind everyone else whose systems failed.

So, schedule a routine maintenance checkup today, or get on a maintenance plan with us to keep your system running at peak efficiency. Does maintenance actually make a difference? YES, it really does… and you can read this post about why maintenance is so important to your heating and air conditioning system.

Following are a few things you can do to help maintain your unit and save money. But, keep in mind our technicians have all the tools to safely and effectively test and evaluate your system for potential issues BEFORE they become a more expensive problem to fix.

Heat Pump Maintenance:

• Dirty filters cause the system to work harder, leading to higher energy costs. Check air filters monthly and clean or replace when dirty.
• Ensure there is at least 18 inches on all sides of your outdoor unit clear of snow, ice, shrubs, and debris.
• Keep the coils on your outdoor unit clean. Apex Heating and Air can clean the coils with an approved cleaner to ensure your unit is running at peak condition. If you live under a lot of pines or your unit tends to accumulate green mildew due to a southerly exposure, this can cause the system to run inefficiently. But not all cleaners are safe for the unit and can do more damage than good – so call us first!
• Call Apex Heating and Air to schedule an inspection of your heat pump before a major weather event catches you unprepared.

More Energy Savings Tips:

• Invest in a programmable smart thermostat and set it to turn the heat down when you are out of town or away from home. This easy home upgrade can cut energy costs by up to 12% and will continue to reduce AC costs in the upcoming spring and summer.
• Install weather stripping around doors and windows to help keep the cold out.
• If you have a traditional fireplace, be sure the flue is closed when not in use to avoid heat from escaping. Similarly, avoid leaving bathroom fans, range hoods, and exhaust fans running for long periods as they will suck heat from your home.
• Take advantage of the world’s best natural heat source — the sun! Open curtains of windows facing the sun during the heat of the day, then close curtains to hold the heat in.
• Reverse your ceiling fan’s blades to a clockwise rotation to help push the warm air down to where you are.