An Essential HVAC Maintenance Checklist For Homeowners

It is a given fact that your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) can last up to 15 years. However, the system's life depends on several factors, including maintenance and regular professional tune-ups. The more you take care of your system, the more it will last. If there's an HVAC issue, the sooner you attend to it, the better. If you're looking forward to having your HVAC system around and functioning correctly for a long period of time, consider this maintenance checklist.

Understand Failure Signs

A major part of HVAC maintenance is determining when to call for help. While not all repairs require immediate attention, some are better handled immediately. For example, if your furnace fan doesn't shut off or the carbon monoxide detector goes off frequently, you might need to call for emergency furnace repair.

It's also important to seek help if your system doesn't heat or cool your home, especially if you live with an older adult or children.

Other signs indicating the need for professional help include high power bills, unusual noises, little air from the vents, and inconsistent temperatures.

While some homeowners might ignore these signs, it's vital to understand that the secret to maintaining a better-performing HVAC is fixing the issues as soon as they arise. Ignoring minor issues increases their chances of developing into more significant issues that might be costly.

Professional Check-Up

While you might be good at performing Do-It-Yourself HVAC maintenance, you should still have the system checked by professionals. HVAC technicians are better trained to determine if there's anything wrong with the system and offer professional solutions.

Suppose you're in Clarksville, IN, and require professional HVAC tune-ups. In that case, you can consider Clarksville, TN Emergency Furnace Repair to help determine if your system has any performance issues and perform necessary procedures to increase efficiency.

It's advisable to avoid attempting complicated HVAC repairs while you can have a professional handle the issue effortlessly.

Here's a quick video reminder on how important it is to conduct a professional check-up on your HVAC system:

Replace The Air Filters

HVAC filters aren't among the things you see daily. Therefore, you're more likely to forget about their existence. Unfortunately, forgetting about these filters will only lead to your system working extra hard to cool your home, increasing stress on the unit.

Besides overworking the unit, unreplaced air filters are likely to increase power bills and might not be in a condition to enable the system to produce the required effect. Luckily, you can prevent these hiccups by replacing the filters.

The best way to remember filter replacement is by setting a date. For example, you can replace the filter when you pay the energy bill. Besides ensuring the filters are always in good condition, replacing filters frequently will prevent the accumulation of high energy bills.

It's vital to mention that air filters vary in design and price. However, investing in the most expensive filters doesn't mean you get a better deal. That said, it's important to seek recommendations or ask a trusted HVAC contractor about the best air filter.

It's recommended to change the air filters at least once every 30 to 90 days. However, you can replace the filters after they turn grey. Also, if you discover dust on your furniture or pet hair on the floor, it's a sign that the filters might also be dirty and requires replacement.

Get Rid Of Clogs

A condensate drain is among the most crucial HVAC components. This component removes water from the evaporator coil and converts refrigerant from liquid to gas. When these processes are done successfully, the AC performs the desired function.

Unfortunately, mold, mildew, and algae can inhabit the condenser, blocking its lines with time. Fortunately, pouring bleach and water in the condenser at least once a year can prevent this fungus from attacking the condensate drain.

Check Physical Damage And Clear The Environment

Last but not least in the HVAC maintenance list is visual assessment. This means checking if the system has any physical damages or if anything is getting on its way to functioning efficiently. At this point, you'll need to check if debris obstructs any component or if the grass has overgrown around the system. If your HVAC has no visible issues and its surrounding is clear, well and good. However, if you notice any obstruction, remove it and clear the area at least two feet from the system.

It's heartbreaking that most homeowners don't understand the outdoor HVAC component is as important as the indoor one. If any system, whether an indoor or outdoor, component is obstructed, the evaporator coils fail to unleash the heat secured in the refrigerant as they should.

Suppose the heat is released slowly. In that case, the refrigerant might not be able to absorb much heat from your home. As a result, your AC will have no option but to work harder to lower the temperatures in your home.

Conclusion

The HAVC maintenance checklist is wider than the above-discussed steps. This article has given some basic steps to maintain and prolong the life of your HVAC system. Remember, working closely with a professional HVAC contractor is the key to maintaining the system's efficiency.