HVAC Maintenance: Tips and Tricks To Avoid Expensive Repairs
HVAC systems are key to fully-functional homes. They keep your home warm during the chilly winter months and cool during the hot summer season. If you pair them with scenting systems, you can also spread your favorite fragrances throughout your interior.
To keep such an essential part of your home up and running, it is important to perform routine maintenance, so you can catch the problem before it occurs. This helps avoid expensive repairs and replacements.
Read on to learn our top tips and tricks on HVAC maintenance (including routine HVAC maintenance tasks), so you can make the most of your system!
Regularly Check The Filters
One of the most crucial HVAC maintenance tips is staying on top of the filters. Filters remove dust and other toxic particles from the air so they don’t spread throughout your home. This can easily make them dirty and clogged. Such filters impede the airflow and make the system work harder. This reduces efficiency and may increase utility bills. So, be sure to change your filters regularly. Preferably, this should be every 90 days unless your manufacturer directs otherwise.
Visually Inspect Your HVAC System
While you’re changing out the filters, examine other components for potential problems. For example, you should inspect the condensate system, ensure all registers and returns are unblocked, and check if the flue system is intact. Also, keep an eye out for signs of mold and mildew. If found, consider using an EPA-registered disinfectant to remove these particles.
Replace The Thermostat Batteries
Dead batteries not only make your thermostat unusable but also lose its pre-programmed settings. So, changing the batteries at least once every year for battery-powered thermostats can prevent many problems. Tip: This will not be needed for thermostats that are wired into the electrical system of the home.
Remember To Clean The Area Around The HVAC Unit
Cleaning the area around your HVAC unit is necessary to maintain good air quality and safety. This is because the dust collected by the HVAC system will double with the surfaces lying around, which means the filters will get dirty very quickly with a cluttered area around the system. Not to forget, a decluttered and clean area will also ease out the inspection and repair procedures.
Make Sure To Clean The Outside Unit
The part of the HVAC system on the outside is a magnet for debris like fallen leaves and twigs. Therefore, cleaning up the outdoor unit (and the area around it) as part of your regular yard maintenance is a good idea to prevent the system from getting clogged. If you also see visible dirt, hosing it down can be helpful.
Also, make sure your unit is level. If it is uneven, the refrigerants will be disjointed, and other components, such as the condenser, will be at an increased risk of breaking down.
Invest In A Smart Thermostat
Making your HVAC system smart gives you access to additional features that help prevent issues. For example, a smart thermostat takes out the inspection part and gives an alert when the filters need changing. It does so by maintaining the usage history of your system. Some specialized systems can also detect a fault in the HVAC unit or tell if there’s any issue with indoor air quality.
Bring In A Professional
Allowing an HVAC technician to pay an on-site visit and perform professional HVAC inspection and servicing is essential once a year. You may miss some aspects of examination that a professional can instantly notice. Plus, they will perform any maintenance required, such as cleaning the coils and drain lines.
Dig Into The Technicalities of Your HVAC System
Familiarizing yourself with the technicalities of the HVAC system, including the way it works and the details of its components, will help to notice issues and address them promptly, more easily, and efficiently. So to understand the HVAC system thoroughly, consider reading the user’s manuals and visiting the manufacturer’s website. Teaching yourself through YouTube videos is a good idea too. In case you still have any questions, you can always consult your HVAC technician for comprehensive answers and solutions.
Final Words
Maintaining the HVAC system brings diverse benefits to both your home and your lifestyle. And while these regular inspections are always a great idea, paying attention to signs that hint at problems in your HVAC system can also help. A sharp rise in utility bills, for example, might indicate a problem in the system. Similarly, monitoring the pace at which your home is cooled or heated by the HVAC system is helpful too. If it’s taking longer than usual, it means it is time for a thorough examination.
Don’t forget to consider the average lifespan of your HVAC system. This generally falls between 15 to 25 years, but it can increase or decrease with multiple factors. So if your system has gotten a bit old and isn’t functioning as optimally as it used to, don’t sit and wait for a crash on the chilliest night or the hottest day — replace it just in time! After all, it plays a great role in keeping you comfortable.
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