Your HVAC system is the appliance that uses the most energy in your apartment. It can consume as much as 40 to 60 percent of the overall energy over the course of a year. Yet it’s a vital feature of your living space. We’ll help you get the most out of your HVAC system thanks to our tips for optimizing your central heat and air for your apartment in Joplin.
Filter Replacement
Improve your indoor air quality by replacing the filter on our HVAC unit every month to three months, depending on your filter. Regular filters typically last one month, while HEPA filters usually last three months. Changing the filters regularly keeps the air in your ducts cleaner and free from dust, which helps you and your family breathe easier.
To replace the filter, locate it in the return air duct or near the blower compartment. If it’s in the duct, look for a grated vent that has latches or a sliding lid. Turn off the HVAC system before removing the old filter to prevent debris from being sucked into the system and for safety. A clean filter improves airflow, reduces strain on the system, and increases energy efficiency, which can lower utility bills.
Check the filter size, usually indicated on the side of the old filter, and use the same size when replacing it. Filters come in different ratings (MERV), with higher numbers offering better filtration, so choose a filter that matches your needs. Higher MERV ratings are ideal for homes with pets, allergies, or poor outdoor air quality. HEPA filters offer the best filtration if you have allergies or pets.
Thermostat Settings
Keeping the thermostat at the right temperature can lower your utility bills and keep everyone comfortable. Adjust the temperature based on the time of day and whether you’re home or away. During colder months, set the thermostat to around 68°F when you’re home and awake, and lower it when you’re asleep or out of the house to save energy. You can also bundle up in a sweater to keep your home’s HVAC system from coming on more frequently when you set the thermostat lower. In the warmer months, aim for 72°F while you’re home, and increase the temperature when you’re away.
If you have a smart thermostat, take advantage of advanced features such as learning your daily routines or adjusting settings based on local weather forecasts. Many smart models can be controlled remotely via smartphone apps, giving you the flexibility to adjust temperatures on the go. For energy savings, use the eco-mode setting if your thermostat offers it, which keeps the temperature within an efficient range without sacrificing comfort.
Registers/Vents
All registers and vents should stay open and unobstructed by furniture, curtains, or other objects for the most efficient HVAC usage. Blocked vents can restrict airflow, forcing your system to work harder and increasing utility costs, but they can also cause more wear and tear because the system runs longer.
Clean the grilles of your registers and vents regularly to remove dust and debris, which can impede airflow and contribute to poor indoor air quality. A vacuum with a brush attachment or a damp cloth can easily clear away dust, giving you cleaner air to breathe.
Periodically inspect both supply and return vents for signs of buildup. In rooms that you use less frequently, resist the temptation to close vents, as this can create pressure imbalances in your HVAC system, leading to potential damage or increased energy use. For even heating or cooling, adjust the direction of the airflow by moving the louvers on your registers to distribute air more evenly across the room.
Supplement your HVAC system with fans in individual rooms. This can make sleeping more comfortable while regulating the temperature in individual rooms. Vacuum and dust your apartment in Joplin once a week to keep allergens out of your vent system and make your filter more efficient.
Windows, Natural Light
Every once in a while, open all the windows in your apartment to let in some fresh air. This can help clear out stale air and make your breathing easier. If you have allergies to pollen, grass, trees, or ragweed, consider opening windows at night when allergens are less prevalent or only opening on good air quality days.
Letting in natural light can change the temperature of your apartment in Joplin by making it warmer. But natural light can also refresh your indoor air quality because it kills dust mites. Consider letting in natural light for at least three hours a day, even if it’s cloudy, to keep microscopic dust mites away and out of your carpet fibers.
Bottom Floor vs. Top Floor
Living on the bottom floor of an apartment building usually means it will be cooler regardless of how much you run your HVAC system. That’s because cool air sinks and warm air rises. Your apartment in Joplin may feel colder in the winter, meaning your heat may come on more often. But, the air conditioning will come on less during the summer.
Living on the top floor of an apartment building will have the opposite effect. It will be warmer throughout the year, which means the air conditioning will run more often during the summer while the heat will be on less during the winter. If you want to save on energy bills, take into consideration the seasons and where you live within the apartment building itself.
Optimizing for Summer
Adjust your thermostat to a warmer setting in the summer to lower your utility bills. Your system will run less, cause less wear on the motor, and your costs will be lower. Fans come in handy for moving air more efficiently!
In addition to thermostat settings, make your HVAC more efficient by keeping windows, blinds, and curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day to prevent sunlight from entering your home and making it hotter. Use ceiling fans, desk fans, and oscillating fans to circulate cool air within each room, as this allows you to raise the thermostat a few degrees without sacrificing comfort. Seal gaps in doors and windows to keep cool air from escaping, reducing the load on your system.
Optimizing for Winter
Set your thermostat to 68°F when you’re home and awake, and lower it by 7-10°F when you’re asleep or away for extended periods. Using a programmable or smart thermostat is ideal. Consider wearing a sweater around the house for individual comfort.
Seal all gaps in windows and doors to keep heat from escaping. Reverse the direction of ceiling fans to run clockwise on a low setting, which helps push warm air down from the ceiling without the need to increase the thermostat. Let more natural light in your home to warm rooms without increasing the strain on your furnace.
What Happens When I Hear Noises or Smell Odors?
Sometimes, noises can just be temperature adjustments. Other times, hearing noises can indicate some parts are not operating as they should. If you hear banging, clanking, or squealing noises, this could indicate loose or damaged parts, such as a fan blade or motor belt. Turn off the system and look over any parts you can see. It’s best to call maintenance for a closer look. Rattling noises may suggest debris in the ductwork, which could be addressed by cleaning the ducts or ensuring no loose objects are near registers.
If you notice strange odors, these can signal different issues. A burning smell may indicate an electrical problem or overheating, which requires immediate repair. A musty odor suggests mold or mildew buildup, often due to excess moisture in the ductwork or around the evaporator coil—cleaning and checking for leaks is essential.
But not all smells or noises are emergencies. Some noises coming through your ductwork might be from an adjacent apartment. Burnt odors could come from any dust that builds up on the heating elements during the summer when the furnace isn’t in use. When you first turn on the furnace in winter, the burners will ignite the dust. You might smell this burnt dust in your home, but it should go away after several minutes. Other odors might come from cooking smells from other apartments, especially if there are some airways that move air from one apartment to another.
When to Call Maintenance
Do your HVAC registers feel warm when the air should be cold? Or do they feel cold when the air should be warm? This is the top reason to call maintenance at your apartment in Joplin.
If your unit doesn’t come on at all when it’s supposed to, move the thermostat up or down by several degrees to see if your unit comes on. Your thermostat might need a new battery. If the unit still doesn’t activate, call your maintenance person ASAP.
Any water leaks around the unit or signs of refrigerant leaks, like a hissing sound or warm air when the AC is running, also require prompt attention. Something isn’t connecting properly.
A persistent burning smell that doesn’t go away is another problem. The heating element might be malfunctioning.
So, contact your maintenance person if:
- HVAC unit doesn’t come on at all
- Temperature of the air isn’t correct
- Moisture forms around the unit
- Persistent odors don’t go away
Central HVAC With Our Apartments in Joplin & Webb City
Don’t settle for apartments that only have window units for AC. Our apartments in Joplin and Webb City have central HVAC units for optimum comfort, no matter what time of year. Contact us or call (417) 624-4144 to schedule a tour. We look forward to meeting you!
