Like any system in your home, your HVAC requires regular maintenance and care to keep it working as efficiently as possible. Failing to maintain your HVAC system can lead to wear and tear, which shortens the lifespan of your system. Regular HVAC maintenance also helps find small problems before they become major issues that cause a system breakdown. Experts recommend having a professional servicing twice per year–once in the spring to prep your system for the upcoming hot summer and air conditioner use, and once in the fall to prep your system for the coming winter and cold temperatures. Your HVAC maintenance appointment covers much more than simply changing out a filter. Here’s what is covered in a typical HVAC maintenance appointment:
Here’s what is covered in a typical HVAC maintenance appointment:
- Change or clean filters – Your technician will inspect and change or clean your filters, if necessary. Don’t wait until your regular service appointment to change your filters! It’s important that you change your filter at least every other month, except during summertime when it should be changed monthly.
- Clean away dust and debris – Dust and debris can build up in your system and on moving parts. Over time, as dust builds up, it can interfere with moving parts and hinder the proper operation of your system and cause damage. Your technician will clean your system to remove dust and debris from condensers, blowers and other moving parts.
- Inspect the system – Your technician will visually inspect the system and components for signs of wear and tear, potential problems and proper operation to avoid a small problem becoming a major breakdown later on.
- Inspect electrical connections – Over time, electrical connections can loosen or wires can become frayed or damaged. Your technician will inspect your electrical connections and wiring to look for signs of damage, fraying or corrosion that could damage your system or lead to a breakdown.
- Inspect exhaust outlets – The exhaust outlets take dangerous gases such as Carbon Monoxide away from the system and out of your home. Your technician will inspect your exhaust outlets for any debris or clogs to ensure any gases or fumes from your system are properly vented to the outside.
- Lubricate moving parts – There are a number of moving parts in your HVAC system. Your technician will lubricate them to ensure all moving parts are functioning smoothly and efficiently. This reduces wear and tear on your system and increases lifespan.
- Inspect condensate drain – Your technician will inspect the condensate drain to ensure there are no clogs, debris or mold gunking up your drain. The condensate drain is necessary to drain away liquid accumulated from humidity in the air.
- Inspect refrigerant levels – Low refrigerant levels cause the condenser to work harder to reach the desired temperature. This adds a ton of unnecessary wear and tear on your system and shortens its lifespan. Your technician will make sure your refrigerant levels are maintained at the proper level to keep your system running efficiently.
- Inspect fuel lines – If your system uses gas or propane for the furnace, your technician will inspect those fuel lines for any leaks, cracks, corrosion or other risk. Damaged or leaking fuel lines present a fire hazard so it’s important to have them professionally inspected.
- Check thermostat settings – Your technician will check your thermostat for proper operation and accurate temperature. If issues are found, they might re-calibrate or otherwise adjust your thermostat to ensure accuracy in temperature reading and communication to your HVAC system.
When you are ready to schedule your regular HVAC maintenance or if you need a repair call SC Plumbing, Heating and Air. They have the best technicians and the right equipment to get your system back up and running quickly and efficiently.