GVEC Home has been providing HVAC services for more than five decades to Gonzales, Schertz, Seguin, La Vernia, Cuero and beyond. Here are five important recommendations we make to our residential clients to help them get the most out of their AC/heating systems.
1. Get Seasonal Tune-Ups
We cannot stress enough how important seasonal tune-ups are to the long-term health of your system. GVEC Home recommends two AC/heating tune-ups each year. Our HVAC Spec Check maintenance plan fits the bill, with two tune-ups per year—one in spring and one in fall.
These two checkups provide a range of routine maintenance and inspections for your system and are extremely cost-effective. Our seasonal checkups are designed to spot and resolve smaller AC/heating issues before they grow into full-blown problems that are expensive to correct. This helps increase the lifespan and dependability of your system. Plus, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that regular maintenance can save between 5 and 10 percent on annual heating and cooling costs.
And if you’re not interested in investing in a long-term maintenance-plan contract, GVEC Home also offers a one-time Check-N-Save visit, which provides the same basic tune-up for your system without a long-term commitment.
2. Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats like those sold through GVEC Home are not only programmable but also have the ability to learn your usage habits on their own. They can then create a schedule based on those habits and begin making adjustments without further user input. This self-reliance can save significant money on your heating and cooling expenses. For instance, Nest®, the maker of the Nest Learning Thermostat® and the Nest Thermostat E®, estimates that users can save up to between 15 and 20 percent on monthly heating and cooling costs with these devices installed. We offer both models, with special discounts for GVEC members who make their purchase through GVEC.
3. Inspect and Change Filters Regularly
Many homeowners underestimate or simply don’t realize how much undue wear-and-tear a dirty filter can cause to an HVAC system. In fact, at GVEC Home, dirty filters are one of the top problems we see that could be easily resolved by the homeowner. These critical components should be changed at least every few months. Even if you use three-month filters, check them on a monthly basis. and replace them whenever they’re visibly dirty. If you want to be on the safe side, it’s not a bad policy to simply change your filter every month.
4. Remain Aware of Home Insulation and Ventilation
Insulation and ventilation are two areas that can significantly undermine heating and cooling systems, causing them to work much harder than necessary. You should have these aspects of your home assessed every several years. Be sure to have your air ducts cleaned regularly, as well. GVEC’s Home Energy Audit is a free service available to members that will help spot insulation and ventilation problems in your home.
5. Inspect Your Outside Unit
Outside units take more abuse than any other aspect of an AC/heating system. It’s important to clear the area around your outside unit so it’s not affected by grass, bushes and other growth. Don’t allow children to play on or around it and keep your pets away, too. We also recommend inspecting your outside unit following a storm and to schedule professional inspections as needed if you think there’s a problem.
Let Us Assist You
GVEC Home offers a range of heating, ventilation and air conditioning products and services. These include installations, maintenance, scheduled repairs, 365 days a year and more. To learn more, call us at 877.466.5506.
