A Quick Guide to Preventative Care for Your HVAC System

Are you planning on buying a new heating or cooling unit? Or does your years old HVAC system seem to be running just fine?

Either way, these systems require regular maintenance to keep them functioning. The purpose of preventative care is to keep these systems running smoothly through every season with no unexpected breakdowns. You want to be content that they are operating at maximum efficiency. You should schedule your preventative maintenance throughout the year, typically one in the spring for your cooling system and then once again in the fall to get your heating equipment up and running. These scheduled checks will also help you bring up any other issues that need to be assessed.

Why is Preventative Maintenance so Important?

Having trained technicians inspect and evaluate your HVAC system has many advantages, obviously. They can make an informed assessment of your unit and identify what parts need to be repaired or what parts will be fine with a little maintenance. Some of the reasons why a maintenance check is so important are:

Fewer Repairs

They can help you catch a problem with your unit before it becomes disastrous and much more expensive for you to fix. For example, if your system has a fraying belt, it could create strange noises. If this belt is replaced in time, you can avoid it from snapping and whipping around inside the system, damaging other parts. Thus, maintenance checks prevent future repairs and pay for themselves.

Keep Your Unit Working Safely

HVAC systems that are failing can become dangerous for your family as well. For instance, if the furnace in the unit develops a small crack in the heat exchanged column, strong carbon monoxide gas can be released, which is very poisonous. Similarly, these systems may eventually short-circuit, which can cause a fire. Staying on top of maintenance does the due diligence needed to keep your units working safely.

Longer Life

HVAC equipment like air conditioners and other furnaces operate efficiently with regular cleaning and service. Even if a small part starts to malfunction, it can lead to the entire system, eventually breaking down. Thus, regular preventative maintenance can add years to the lifespan of your equipment.

Lower Electric Bills

Even if your systems are running without any problem, a unit that has been neglected for a long time can lose its capability to work at the same level of efficiency it initially did. As this happens, the unit will start to use up more electricity to perform the same amount of cooling. Stay on top of maintenance and your energy bills will benefit too!

DIY Preventative Care Tips

The best part is that there are some small but effective maintenance tasks that you can easily do yourself regularly. They will help keep your system running smoothly until you need to call a professional. Some of these tasks include:

* Checking the filter of your unit every month. Some HVAC systems have an indicator light that reminds you to do so.

* Remove any debris that may have accumulated on outdoor units.

* Clean the outdoor unit when it becomes very dirty. You can hose it down easily.

* Make sure supply and return registers are not blocked by other furniture, drapes, rugs, etc.

* Install a programmable thermostat that can be programmed to change the temperature when you aren’t there or are sleeping.

* Ensure that your HVAC system is placed on level ground and is not tilted. If you have placed it on some padding, inspect it to see if they have moved.

* Eliminate any clogs, for example, the build-up of algae or mold in the system. You can do so by mixing bleach with a cup of water and pouring it down the condenser drain. It gets rid of any build-up that might have accumulated.

* Check your indoor units for any unusual noises or odors. These can be detected easily when the unit is being started. Any such signs usually mean that it is time to call the technician.

* Inspect the fan blades of your unit every other month. Check them when they are moving and when they are stationary to detect any signs of wear and tear.

Preventative Maintenance Tasks You Should Leave to the Professionals

However, it is important to realize that you cannot perform an entire maintenance service yourself. It requires specific knowledge, tools, and expertise that only trained technicians can provide. For example, the inspection of all-electric terminals, duct systems, dampers, heat strips, motors bearings, and piping requires you to be extremely careful; otherwise, it could damage the whole system. They will ensure that they provide the most qualified assistance and repair your system so that you can be worry-free.

A thorough check can help you save on a lot of high future costs. Preventative maintenance for your HVAC systems needs to be taken seriously to help cut back on bills, protect your family, and prevent a major breakdown. So find your local HVAC techs, schedule your service today and enjoy an effective, efficient HVAC for months to come.