Many adjectives describe a home with children, but quiet usually isn’t on the list. For a child, almost anything can be turned into a place for play and exploration. This includes parts of your HVAC system. After all, we’re sure you want to keep your home comfortable without worries of unexpected repairs or injuries.
Here’s how to have both a functioning HVAC system and rambunctious children without losing your mind.
Cover All Vents
Vent covers are inexpensive and great at keeping little fingers and hands from getting hurt. These covers also block any thing your child might put through the vents, think of pencils, crayons, or even your keys.
Make sure that you look carefully at the instructions for the vent covers. It is important to screw the vent into place and test it before walking away. It should not move once you fully screw it into place.
Protect the Condenser at All Costs
Learning how the air conditioning system works isn’t necessary for everyday living, but it is important to understand which parts need to be protected at all costs. For those who want to stay cool during the summer, the condenser is an important piece of machinery.
One of the best ways to keep a condenser safe is by putting a small fence or wall around it. Condensers need around 2 to 3 feet of space between the appliance and anything else like a wall or plant.
Make the Thermostat Off Limits
The thermostat is the mission control panel of your HVAC system. Swapping out the thermostat can become a costly repair after sticky, curious fingers get involved, so it’s better to make sure that the thermostat is kept out of reach.
Moving the thermostat higher is a great way to keep it out of the reach of children. If they still become curious about it, remember that many children just want to do all of the things that they see their parents doing.
Let them know that the thermostat is important because it keeps everyone comfortable no matter what the weather is like outside. You may also want to invest in a thermostat cover.
Swap Air Filters Often
Dust, dust, and more dust: It’s just part of cleaning house. However, all that dust can affect more than just sinuses. It also gets picked up by your air filters.
It’s important to change the air filters often. Not sure when to change them? Some people like to change them every month or every six weeks, it all depends on a few factors. The outdoor climate, the type of filter you choose, and how many pets are in the home. These are just a few things to consider when checking your air filter.
To check the air filter, simply locate it in your furnace, pull it out, and give a quick visual exam. If the filter is full, overstuffed, or just gross looking, time to replace it.
Protect the Radiators
Exposed radiators and children in the home are a terrible combination. But here’s a quick solution: radiator covers.
You can cover all exposed radiator parts so that curious hands don’t get burned or shocked by static electricity.
Invest in Good Maintenance
Routine maintenance is the difference between a well-functioning HVAC system and one with the potential to prematurely fail. Thankfully, scheduling routine tune-ups is easy and affordable.
During a tune-up, an HVAC tech will disassemble every part of your furnace, clean it, inspect it, and then put it all back together. The technician will let you know if any problems need to be addressed.
Tune-ups are one of the best things you can do for your system. At ASI, we believe an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Consider tune-ups to be preventative care for your HVAC system.
It’s All About Balance
These days, your children are learning a lot of lessons, both at school and at home. One of the best gifts you can give them ultimately is the gift of comfort. It’s more than just a working HVAC system, of course: It’s also the knowledge that they’re perfectly safe at home. By following the tips in this guide, you make it clear that they have a home they can enjoy for a long time to come, just the way it’s intended.
