Changing Air Filters and Tuning up your Furnace are home-improvement to-do’s you really should be doing every month, say the experts. It’s quick, fairly easy, pretty inexpensive in the scheme of things, and dirty air filters can lead to higher energy bills and irreparably damage your HVAC system.
If you’re a DIY’er: Changing your air filter is a fairly straightforward task—just be sure to check the size of your existing filter before you hit the hardware store. Pros also recommend removing all vent covers and vacuuming pet dander, hair, and other debris that can accumulate and gunk up your HVAC system.
When to call in the pros: Take things a step further by hiring a professional to tune up your unit before winter arrives. A good contractor will ensure your thermostat is working properly, fix loose electrical connections and gas connections, and check your unit’s blower motor and heat exchanger. Expect to spend $80 to $150.
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