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# 5 Essential Fall HVAC Maintenance Tips for Hampton Roads Homeowners – R.A. Styron Heating & Air Conditioning
By  | October 17, 2024 | 
As summer fades and the crisp air of autumn sweeps across Hampton Roads, it’s time to think about preparing your home for the upcoming cooler months. One key aspect of seasonal preparation is ensuring your HVAC system is ready to transition from cooling to heating. Proper HVAC maintenance in the fall not only ensures comfort but also maximizes energy efficiency and prolongs the lifespan of your equipment.
Below are five essential HVAC maintenance tips to help Hampton Roads homeowners get their systems in top shape for fall and winter. If you have any questions contact a licensed professional at .
RA Styron HVAC Tips Fall 2024
#### **1. Clean or Replace Air Filters**
Your HVAC system’s air filter plays a critical role in maintaining both air quality and system efficiency. During summer, your system may have worked overtime, collecting dust, pollen, and other particles in the filters. If you haven’t changed the filter regularly, fall is a perfect time to do so. Watch this self help video from Ralph Stryon. .
Dirty or clogged filters can obstruct airflow, making your HVAC system work harder to maintain the desired temperature. This not only decreases energy efficiency but can also lead to higher energy bills and put unnecessary strain on your system.
**How often should you change air filters?**
* For standard 1-inch filters, it’s recommended to replace them every 30-60 days.
* If you have pets or allergies, you might need to change them more frequently.
**Pro Tip:** Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency particulate air (.)) filter, which captures finer particles and improves indoor air quality, especially useful during allergy season.
#### **2. Clear Debris from Outdoor Units**
During the fall season, leaves, twigs, and dirt can accumulate around your outdoor HVAC unit, particularly the condenser. This debris can obstruct airflow, making it harder for the system to expel heat, which in turn reduces its efficiency.
**What you can do:**
* Regularly inspect the area around your outdoor unit and clear any debris.
* Trim back any bushes, shrubs, or plants that may be crowding the unit, maintaining at least two feet of clearance on all sides.
* If possible, gently hose down the unit to remove dirt or dust accumulated on the fins.
An outdoor unit that is clear of obstructions operates more efficiently, saving energy and reducing the risk of breakdowns during the colder months.
#### **3. Adjust Thermostat Settings for Fall**
As temperatures drop, it’s important to adjust your thermostat to suit the seasonal change. Many homeowners leave their thermostat settings unchanged, which can lead to higher energy bills as the cooler weather sets in.
Here’s what you should do:
* Lower the temperature a few degrees when you’re not home or while you’re sleeping. According to the Department of Energy, turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling costs.
* If you haven’t already, consider installing a programmable or smart thermostat. These devices allow you to automate temperature adjustments based on your schedule, making energy efficiency easier.
** Benefits:**
* Remote control via smartphone apps.
* Insights into energy usage patterns.
* More precise temperature control, leading to more comfortable living spaces and lower bills.
By taking the time to fine-tune your thermostat for fall, you can ensure that your home remains comfortable without wasting energy.
#### **4. Inspect and Insulate Ductwork**
Ducts are an essential part of your HVAC system, responsible for distributing warm air throughout your home. However, if your ductwork has leaks, gaps, or insufficient insulation, much of that heat can escape before it ever reaches your living space.
**Signs your ductwork may need attention:**
* Inconsistent temperatures between rooms.
* Excessive dust in your home.
* Higher-than-expected energy bills.
**What to do:**
* Walk through your attic, basement, or crawl space and inspect exposed ductwork. Look for visible gaps or feel for drafts where air might be escaping.
* If you find leaks or feel drafts, use mastic sealant or metal tape (not duct tape) to seal the leaks.
* For added efficiency, consider insulating your ducts. Insulated ducts keep warm air warmer as it travels through cooler spaces like attics or crawl spaces.
Having well-insulated and sealed ductwork can significantly improve your system’s efficiency, leading to better performance and lower heating bills throughout the colder months.
#### **5. Schedule a Professional Maintenance Check**
While DIY tasks like replacing filters and cleaning around your outdoor unit are important, nothing beats a professional inspection and tune-up. HVAC systems are complex, and a certified technician can identify potential issues that you might miss, ensuring your system is ready to handle the upcoming demands of fall and winter.
**What does a professional tune-up include?**
* Inspection of all system components, including the heat exchanger, blower motor, and electrical connections.
* Checking refrigerant levels to ensure your system is properly charged.
* Lubricating moving parts to prevent friction and wear.
* Testing the thermostat to ensure it’s accurately controlling your system.
* Cleaning internal components, such as coils and burners, to maximize efficiency.
Scheduling a fall maintenance appointment can prevent unexpected breakdowns during the colder months and help catch small problems before they turn into expensive repairs. Regular maintenance also extends the lifespan of your HVAC system, making it a worthwhile investment in your home’s comfort and energy savings.
**Pro Tip:** Sign up for a maintenance plan with  to enjoy regular check-ups and priority service when you need it most.
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### **Conclusion: Prepare Your HVAC for Fall in Hampton Roads**
Fall HVAC maintenance is essential to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently during the colder months. Whether you tackle these tasks on your own or call in a professional, following these tips can improve your home’s comfort, lower energy bills, and extend the lifespan of your HVAC system.
From changing air filters to scheduling a professional tune-up, each step is critical in ensuring your HVAC system is ready for the season. Don’t wait until it’s too late—prepare your system now, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a well-maintained HVAC system.
**So what now?** Schedule a fall maintenance appointment with R.A. Styron Heating & Air Conditioning or implement these DIY maintenance tips to get ahead of the season. Visit our HVAC services page for more details or give us a call today to book your tune-up.
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808 Juniper Crescent #206,
Chesapeake, VA 23320
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# How HVAC Systems Can Help Reduce Indoor Allergens
By  | October 8, 2024 | 
Your home’s HVAC system plays a critical role in maintaining indoor air quality, especially during allergy season. Proper maintenance and filtration can significantly reduce the concentration of allergens circulating in your home’s air.
**Proper filtration and HVAC maintenance**:
One of the most effective ways to improve your home’s air quality is by ensuring your HVAC system is equipped with high-efficiency filters and is well-maintained. The air filters in your system are designed to trap particles like dust, pollen, and mold spores before they can enter your living space. Over time, these filters can become clogged with particles, reducing their effectiveness. If your filter is dirty or if you’re using a low-efficiency filter, allergens will continue to circulate through your home.
To combat this, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency particulate air (.)) filter or a filter with a higher MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating.  range from 1 to 20, with higher numbers capturing smaller particles. For homeowners in Norfolk looking to tackle fall allergens, filters with a MERV rating of 8 to 13 are generally recommended, as they can trap smaller allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander without compromising airflow.
**The importance of routine HVAC maintenance**:
Regular maintenance of your HVAC system is essential to keeping it running efficiently and ensuring optimal air quality. Beyond changing filters, scheduling a seasonal tune-up can help ensure that your system is free of mold growth, dust buildup, or other contaminants that could be spread throughout your home. During these check-ups, HVAC technicians can inspect the system for any signs of wear, clean the internal components, and ensure your system is operating at its best.
### **The Importance of Regular Duct Cleaning**
Your home’s ductwork is often overlooked when it comes to indoor air quality, but it can be a hidden source of allergens. Over time, air ducts can collect dust, dirt, mold spores, and even pet dander, which can be recirculated throughout your home each time your heating or cooling system runs.
**How ducts trap allergens**:
Air ducts act as the passageways for heated or cooled air to travel through your home. If these ducts are not cleaned regularly, they can accumulate debris and contaminants. Every time your HVAC system turns on, these particles are blown into the air you breathe. In the fall, when allergens are already high, this can exacerbate allergy symptoms for those sensitive to airborne particles.
If you’ve noticed increased dust in your home, persistent allergy symptoms despite efforts to clean, or a musty odor coming from your vents, it may be time to consider professional duct cleaning. Duct cleaning can significantly reduce the amount of dust, mold, and other allergens in your home, improving the overall air quality.
**When to schedule duct cleaning**:
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association () recommends scheduling professional duct cleaning every three to five years, but homes with pets, recent renovations, or allergy sufferers may benefit from more frequent cleaning. After cleaning, your ducts will be free of built-up allergens, helping your HVAC system work more efficiently and reducing the presence of airborne particles in your home.
### **Maintaining Ideal Humidity Levels**
Humidity plays a significant role in indoor air quality, especially when it comes to managing allergens. Both low and high humidity can create conditions that aggravate allergy symptoms.
**Impact of humidity on allergens**:
Mold and dust mites thrive in humid environments, and Norfolk’s fall weather can sometimes lead to excess moisture in the air, especially after rain or in homes with poor ventilation. High humidity levels in your home (above 50%) can create a breeding ground for these allergens, while too little humidity can dry out your nasal passages and lungs, making you more susceptible to irritation from airborne allergens.
**Using a humidifier or dehumidifier**:
Maintaining an optimal indoor humidity level (between 30% and 50%) is essential for comfort and health. If your home tends to be too dry in the fall months, a humidifier can help add moisture to the air, easing symptoms like dry throat and skin. Conversely, if you struggle with high humidity and mold growth, a dehumidifier can reduce excess moisture, preventing allergens like mold and dust mites from thriving.
Adding humidity control to your home’s HVAC system can help create a balanced environment, reducing the risk of allergy flare-ups while improving overall air quality.
### **Air Purification Systems for Allergy Relief**
In addition to upgrading your HVAC filters and maintaining balanced humidity levels, investing in an air purification system can further enhance your home’s indoor air quality. These systems work by removing or neutralizing allergens, bacteria, and other contaminants from the air, making your home a healthier place to live, especially during allergy season.
**How air purifiers work**:
There are several types of air purification systems that can be integrated into your home’s HVAC system or used as standalone units. Some use mechanical filters (like HEPA filters) to trap particles, while others use electronic processes like ionization to attract and capture airborne contaminants.
**UV lights and ionizers**:
Ultraviolet (UV) light systems are particularly effective at neutralizing mold spores, bacteria, and viruses. Installed within your HVAC system, UV lights kill microorganisms before they have a chance to circulate through your home. Ionizers, on the other hand, release charged ions into the air, which attach to particles and allergens, causing them to clump together and become easier to filter out.
For households with severe allergies, installing a whole-home air purification system can drastically improve indoor air quality and reduce the presence of allergens, providing relief during Chesapeake’s fall allergy season.
RA Styron HVAC in Chesapeake VA
### **Conclusion: Improve Your Indoor Air Quality This Fall**
As Chesapeake’s fall allergy season sets in, it’s essential to take steps to protect the air inside your home. From upgrading your HVAC filters and cleaning your ducts to maintaining ideal humidity levels and investing in air purification systems, there are plenty of ways to improve your indoor air quality and reduce allergens. By taking these proactive measures, you can create a healthier, more comfortable environment for yourself and your family during allergy season and beyond.
To further enhance your indoor air quality, consider scheduling an air quality assessment or HVAC service with . Our experts are here to help you breathe easier by ensuring your home’s HVAC system is optimized for clean, allergen-free air.
If you think you are experiencing a severe Air Quality problem call the experts at RASTYRON.COM today at (757) 420-5488.
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# Reliable HVAC System Installation & Maintenance in Norfolk, VA
There are a couple of key factors that you should keep in mind when you are looking for HVAC system repair & replacement in Norfolk, VA. It can be easy to make the wrong choice when you are considering a specialist. Heating system repair & replacement is a vital part of the maintenance of your property. Having reliable services are a necessity.  The first consideration in choosing an  in Norfolk, VA is the level of experience they have to offer. RA Styron is very hard to beat in the “experience” department since we have over 60 years of experience! Our years in the field have given us the knowledge to be able to quickly and efficiently make repairs and give you the advice you need when it comes to replacements.  We can help you to make an informed decision about which system will be most efficient for your property.
Residential & Commercial HVAC Services
At RA Styron you can rely on all of our services that are offered for repairs, maintenance and replacement. We are the specialists you need for:
• Heating unit installation & maintenance
• Water heater services
• Geothermal heating system installation
• Geothermal cooling system installation
• Boiler services
• Furnace services
We are the , HVAC specialist that you want in your corner whether you have a commercial or residential property. Our reputation for providing on time services and getting the job done quickly has been earned over the years by delivering on our promise. We have the solutions that you need. Our highly skilled technicians will respond quickly to your call, discuss your options, and provide you with a reliable, honest quote for services. At RA Styron we pride ourselves on our exceptional customer service. Contact us today to learn more.
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# Full Service Residential and Commercial Plumbing Service.
There are a couple of key factors that you should keep in mind when you are looking for Plumber. It can be easy to make the wrong choice when you are considering a specialist. All of our plumbers are licensed, bonded and insured to bring you the best service available in the market.
At RA Styron you can rely on all of our services that are offered for repairs, maintenance, and replacement. We are the plumbing specialists you need for:
* Water Heater Services
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* Whole House Re-plumbing
We are the plumbing specialist that you want in your corner whether you have a commercial or residential property. Our reputation for providing on time services and getting the job done quickly has been earned over the years by delivering on our promise. We have the solutions that you need. Our highly skilled technicians will respond quickly to your call, discuss your options, and provide you with a reliable, honest quote for services. At RA Styron we pride ourselves on our exceptional customer service. Contact us today to learn more.
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