Having a good working HVAC system can really be an enjoyable experience in one’s home. It’s great to have warm or cooler air when you need it. If your HVAC system fails, however, it can be a nightmare. Proper HVAC maintenance is important, and the following article will give you a few tips to keep you’re your heating and air system in tip-top condition.
Clean your permanent air filters or replace disposable ones every single month. If you have the choice, an electrostatic is the best option on the market today. Be sure to turn off your unit before you change the filter as it should never be run without a filter in place.
HVAC Maintenance Tips
Do you hear a clicking sound when your fan is turning? This may mean that there is something in the way of the blades of the fan. If it gets so bad that the blade bends, you must replace it, just unbending it will leave the fan unbalanced and can cause further issues.
When you are no longer using your outdoor air conditioning unit, be sure to protect it with a tight cover. This will keep it free of debris, frost and snow so that you’ll have a working unit when the spring comes and you are ready to uncover it and use it again.
If you are a home owner, replace whatever single pane windows you have with more efficient double-paned versions. Having double pane windows allows your air conditioning unit to be run much less during the summer, because the cool air is kept inside the home. Conversely, they keep warm air in during the winter.
When everyone is gone, turn your AC off. Turning it off does allow the temperature to rise, but only so far. Leaving your heating or cooling running full blast while you are away is a waste of money and energy.
You can get ice in your air conditioner. There can be occasional freezes in their drain lines, and these are usually confused with plumbing leaks. If this happens, turn the thermostat so it is on fan only mode, which will disable the compressor. If this doesn’t work, call a professional.
Whether you have an air conditioner in a window or outside your home, be sure to keep it in the shade. The cooler the air around it, and the cooler the condenser itself, the easier time it will have of keeping the air inside your home cool as well.
If you want to ensure your air conditioner offers you great performance, keep it dry. If it is located in a dry, cool area, you’ll find that the efficiency goes up and the unit lasts a long time. You can even buy a water vapor cooler to cool it as it is running.
Keep your condensers free of nearby obstructions. Keep plants, fencing, even bushes back and away from the unit. Two feet is a good minimum distance it should have from anything, including walls, but the more space you give it to breathe, the better it will work and the less likely it will be to fail.
Outer coils can be cleaned with a regular outdoor hose before you turn the unit on for the season. That said, interior coils should be taken care of by a professional so that you don’t do any damage as you attempt to clean them. Bring someone in to complete a yearly check-up.
Do you want to make sure your HVAC unit works for you like it should? It is important to have your unit maintained on a regular basis. Any reputable technician will know exactly what you mean if you call them and ask for a maintenance service on your system.
Make sure that your ducts are not leaking. The local utility company may be able to do this for you at a cost lower than what a contractor would charge you. Paying for the test is fine as repairing the leaks will pay for itself quickly.
You should now have a better idea about why proper HVAC system maintenance is necessary. You can get into costly trouble if you neglect your HVAC system. Thankfully you found this article, and now you’re able to use the awesome tips here to assist you in figuring out what to do with your HVAC system.
If you have additional questions, please give us a call at 770-513-3558, and request an appointment.
