Plenty of homeowners make the mistake of putting off any routine HVAC maintenance until it’s too late and the system breaks down. Not only does this result in potentially lengthy repairs that will leave you either shivering in winter or sweltering in summer, but you’re also likely to be landed with a costly bill as well. If you don’t want to end up in this predicament, it’s a good idea to set up some preventative measures. This will help your heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems run more efficiently and reduce the chance of a major problem occurring down the line.
Ready to find out more about HVAC maintenance? Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Do I Need HVAC Maintenance?
Taking the time to perform routine maintenance on your HVAC system comes with many advantages, including:
Lower Utility Bills
When your equipment is properly maintained, it requires less energy to cool or heat your home. This means that you will spend much less on preserving a comfortable temperature.
Ensures Comfort & Safety
The last thing you want is a heater that stops working during freezing temperatures or air conditioning that breaks down on the hottest day of the year. During a maintenance check, the HVAC professional will be able to identify problems early on so that your system doesn’t grind to a halt at an inconvenient time.
There are also some HVAC issues that can potentially be dangerous. For instance, carbon monoxide leaking from a furnace or refrigerant from an AC unit can damage the health of you and your family. Maintenance work will reduce the risk of harmful problems going unnoticed for a long time.
No Costly Repairs
One huge perk of HVAC maintenance is that it prevents minor issues from becoming major. During a maintenance check, a HVAC technician can spot problems like a loose screw or a worn belt. Repairing these little things in good time before they damage more equipment will ultimately avert a big breakdown that is expensive and challenging to fix.
More Comfortable Environment
When your system receives regular maintenance, it will take less time for your home to reach your preferred temperature. This means that you won’t have to sit around shivering or sweating as you want for your heating or AC system to kick in.
HVAC Maintenance: Dos and Don’ts
In order to better understand the best ways to maintain your HVAC system, as well as what to avoid, follow these guidelines:
Do: Perform Maintenance in Good Time
When possible, you should try and schedule your maintenance work to coincide with times when you know that your system will be working harder. In some areas, this might mean that you’ll be performing maintenance in late spring or late autumn. However, if you live in an especially hot or cold climate, you can probably get away with performing maintenance just once a year. Ensuring that this gets done just before these times of year means that you can be rest assured that no issues will crop up when you need your system the most, and also improves the efficiency of its operation.
Don’t: Try to Do It All Yourself
There are a lot of smaller maintenance tasks that you can easily perform yourself, such as changing filters, rinsing off your outdoor condenser and clearing away any grass or debris near your system. However, it’s important to seek the help of professionals for more technical jobs, especially those that involve going into the machine to clean or service parts. A HVAC professional will also have access to specialist tools that are required to do things like check refrigerant levels or test for gas leaks.
Do: Tailor Your Filter Replacement Schedule to Suit Your Needs
As a general rule of thumb, you should be changing your AC and furnace filters every three months. Although this is a good starting point for establishing an effective maintenance routine, it’s not always the best schedule. Depending on your HVAC system, the type of filter you have can impact how often you should change it. Some furnaces might use thicker filters that only need to be changed every six months or so. If you have a lot of pets or are allergic to pollen, you might want to think about changing your filters more frequently. Some people even benefit from changing them every month or every other month. Find a schedule that works for you and stick to it.
Don’t: Put Off Maintenance
This point might seem obvious, but it’s still important to remember. Regular maintenance is one of the best things you can do for your HVAC system. You need to ensure that you are having some form of cleaning and maintenance check performed at least once a year; delaying or skipping maintenance work altogether can lead to major issues down the line. If you find yourself forgetting to make the appointment, set yourself a reminder on your phone or calendar. Certain smart thermostats are capable of reminding you, too. You might also want to consider scheduling your next maintenance appointment with the technician at the end of the present one so that you won’t ever forget.
Do: Search For the Best Maintenance Package
It’s easy to assume that all HVAC companies will provide the same services, but the reality is that every company will offer as many or as little as they please. Before hiring someone, double check to make sure that they actually include all of the essential services you require. This should include a full range of checkups, cleaning and preventative maintenance. You should also check that the company is familiar with your system, as some heating and cooling systems (like geothermal heating pumps) may require specialised care that some companies won’t offer.
Essential HVAC Maintenance Tasks
When we talk about maintenance plans, it refers to a broad range of checks, cleaning and other tasks. Your specific HVAC maintenance checklist might vary a little depending on what sort of system you have, but most plans will nonetheless include these basic tasks, some of which you can perform yourself:
Remove Debris
Removing weeds, shrubs and other vegetation that might be infringing on your outdoor unit will help it run more efficiently.
Filter Replacement
Depending on your type of system, you might need to change the air return filter for your AC and the air filter for your furnace. Some systems will also have oil filters that will need to be replaced.
Clean the Coils
Both the evaporator and the condenser in the AC system have coils that should occasionally be cleaned to remove any dust or dirt.
Check for Leaks
Drain lines, refrigerant lines, exhaust flues and condensate lines can all have leaks that can hinder operation or damage your home.
Tighten Fittings
Blower fans, belts and other moving parts can loosen over time, so fittings need to be tightened every now and then.
Perform Operating Tests
Various checks can be performed to ensure that all systems are operating within the recommended industry standards.
Lubricate the Motor
The motors that run electrical systems will benefit from routine lubrication.
Clean the Combustion Chamber
On certain types of furnaces, the combustion chamber might require regular cleaning.
How to Tell If Your HVAC System Needs To Be Repaired
Naturally, one of the biggest perks of having routine HVAC maintenance work performed is that the technician can let you know if anything needs to be fixed. In many cases, it might be easy to tell when you need repairs. During your maintenance appointment, for example, your HVAC specialist might identify broken parts or note that your system isn’t outputting enough air at the correct temperature. However, you might also notice other signs, including:
- Strange rattling or grinding noises
- Your system is switching on and off too often
- Your home is always too cold or too hot
- Unidentifiable smells
- Dust emanating from vents
Once you have noticed that something is wrong, it’s up to you to decide whether to repair or replace your HVAC system. The right choice typically depends on how much it will cost you to fix your system. As a general rule, experts will recommend that you multiply the age of the unit by the cost of repairs. If this figure exceeds more than half of what it will cost to replace the unit, you are far better off just going ahead and purchasing a new one. It’s probably also a good idea to replace your HVAC if it is very old, incorrectly sized or lacks energy efficiency.
Looking For Reliable HVAC Maintenance in Gloucester?
For a comprehensive HVAC service in Gloucester, look no further than Mitchell’s. Our experts offer HVAC design, installation, maintenance and repair services at highly competitive prices. We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and take pride in our highly reliable and efficient service. Whether your HVAC system is in need of urgent repairs or you would like to establish a more regular service schedule, you can count on us here at Mitchell’s. Contact us today to find out more.