Your HVAC system doesn’t draw a lot of attention to itself most of the time, and that makes it easy to forget it’s even there. However, it’s an incredibly expensive piece of hardware, often the most expensive single piece of equipment that’s in a home.

When you think of it in those terms, this is an investment, like a car, that you want to make sure is operating smoothly and efficiently. That means that sometimes, you need to do a bit of maintenance and inspection to make sure that the problem-free functionality you enjoy now continues into the future.

Here are a few easy tips to follow so you can do just that:

Keep Outdoor Fixtures Clear

A modern HVAC system will have some ventilation needs to both take in air for processing, as well as purging air or moisture for higher efficiency.

In order to maintain that high efficiency, clear, unobstructed air flow is crucial.

That’s why it’s good to occasionally inspect these vents outside your home. Make sure that nothing is blocking furnace ventilation.

If you have central A/C, check the large condenser unit that is placed somewhere outside your home to ensure leaves and other foreign matter aren’t blocking the intakes.

This simple check and clean up job can make a big difference to your energy bills.

Regularly Replace Your Filters

Filters are a “consumables” that your HVAC system uses, that like tires on a car, are something essential to the operation of your furnace or air conditioner.

But unfortunately, they erode and lose quality over time, requiring a replacement.

In this case, filters should be replaced with every season, or every three months, to make sure things are working as they should.

Your filter is protecting both you and your HVAC system. It catches and keeps larger contaminants, such as particles from pets, from circulating throughout your home.

It’s always a good idea to keep a supply of filters in storage somewhere, so you can easily swap out replacements throughout the year, rather than going to the store to buy a new one every three months.

Get an Annual Tune Up & Inspection

While there are some things you can do on your own, others are best handled by qualified experts.

A thorough inspection and “tune up” of every aspect of your HVAC system is one of those things best left to professionals.

With a seasoned professional visiting your home, more technical maintenance, such as replenishing the coolant in your air conditioner, is done quickly and efficiently.

Other things, like inspecting the ventilation and having it cleaned thoroughly, is also better handled by knowledgeable hands.

This kind of periodic maintenance is excellent at cleaning up small problems and keeping them from becoming bigger and more expensive further down the line.