The Importance of HVAC Maintenance
Because it maintains the comfort of our homes, HVAC systems are important but often taken for granted. To prolong your HVAC system’s life, you need to maintain it. It works alongside the thermostat and central heat system, so if one fails, the others will follow.
Maintaining your HVAC system means regular checkups, cleaning, and quickly repairing faulty parts. But many other things can help keep the HVAC system functioning properly!
This article will elaborate on the importance of HVAC maintenance, how it works, and what the benefits are in the long run.
What Is HVAC Maintenance?
HVAC is an acronym encompassing the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning processes. The term combines all the appliances you use to control the home or office temperature. This complex system cleans the air and maintains the humidity at optimal, healthy levels.
HVAC systems have to be fully functional throughout the year. Keeping the right temperature levels and stale air requires work; hence a maintained and operating system is a must. But what is HVAC maintenance and what obstacles you may encounter?
Some problems HVAC maintenance teams come across in these systems are dirt particles stuck on the heating coils, dirt around the condensate unit, debris collected in the blower, an outdated thermostat, and too little or too much refrigerant.
Maintenance also involves repairing parts that break. This usually concerns the interior components of the furnace or air conditioner. Maintenance is preferable before the summer and winter sessions, meaning at least two times a year.
What Does HVAC Maintenance Include?
The lifespan of the HVAC system depends on regular maintenance. Disregarding the care may lead to a malfunctioning HVAC system and an extremely hot or freezing house. Sometimes the cleaning you do yourself isn’t enough to desensitize every part. You will need to call professionals who know what a routine HVAC maintenance procedure involves.
Let’s take a closer look at what does HVAC maintenance include.
Inspecting the Functionality of the Thermostat
A faulty thermostat can create a hotter or cooler home than usual. If temperatures in the rooms change often, you should check if the thermostat works.
Checking the Connections
Check the heating elements and their connections. These can cause many headaches, and they are your first indicator that something might be wrong. They are also the most dangerous parts of the system that always need monitoring. Keeping the heating elements connections clean and unblemished is imperative to an HVAC system.
Examining the Motor Operations
Maintaining a clean blower helps maintain proper and clean airflow. If you notice that your AC is running low and you don’t feel a change in temperature when you leave or enter your home, there might be something wrong with motor commands. Wire damage or electric leakage may be the cause of this.
Thorough Cleanups of Coils And Condenser
The coils and condenser are parts that require continuous cleaning. Dust usually collects around the evaporator coils and the condenser, which could hinder them from working efficiently. They keep the HVAC system running smoothly.
Clean these parts once a year unless you live in a big city with highly polluted air. If that’s the case, clean them twice a year before summer or winter starts. The same is applicable for those who use their AC 24/7, all year round.
Monitoring Refrigerant Pressures
Your HVAC system needs a specific quantity of refrigerant. Keeping the refrigerant at optimal levels will have the system running smoothly. Too much refrigerant means the HVAC system cannot cool down your home efficiently.
The reason is that the refrigerant switches from gas to liquid state. If the refrigerant remains in a liquid state, it warms the system and hinders cooling.
The Most Important Things to Know About HVAC Maintenance
Usually, what is done during HVAC Maintenance and cleanups is hosing down the entire system. Inspect every part for damage or dirt, including every coil, duct, filter, fan, and refrigerant.
A maintenance check-up also inspects whether the motors are working fine and the connections are stable. Preparing the HVAC systems for the winter and summer seasons should be part of the routine. This twice-a-year cleaning habit will maintain the HVAC system in tip-top shape.
Cleaning the HVAC system is not a “one man’s job” because it requires precision. Sometimes the wise thing is to call professionals.
DIY HVAC Maintenance: Is it a Good Idea?
The recommendation is always to leave the maintenance of HVAC systems to professionals. However, you can do some of the simpler tasks yourself! Here are a few tips on DIY HVAC maintenance, so you’ll know what to expect.
Cleaning Outdoor Units Together With Indoor Ones
Many people forget that cleaning the debris from the outdoor unit prolongs the efficient working of the indoor ones. The key to proper HVAC repair and maintenance is looking into every component, indoors or outdoors.
Outdoor units are a target of all kinds of debris, like leaves, dirt, and dust. All these particles can hinder the functioning of the HVAC system, so get your gloves and hose. Remove the cage or fan to clean every inch of the outdoor unit better. A clean outdoor unit means smoother indoor airflow.
Don’t Overuse the AC
Many prefer the cool temperatures the AC provides, but the ceiling and portable fans can do the same job. You don’t have to power your AC if it’s not scorching outside. All fans, whether portable or ceiling, do a fantastic job of lowering the temperature of a room.
Sometimes, even opening your windows can do a lot for indoor airflow. The point is to refrain from using the AC unless absolutely necessary. It will prolong its lifespan and help save on the bills in the long run.
Monitor the Evaporator Coil and Condensate Drain
The evaporator coil is what keeps you cool during scorching summer days. Its job is to absorb the heat, cool it, and then release it inside the house. Evaporator coils are very important to the HVAC system because they condense the air humidity to water during the cooling process. The condensed water then exits through the condensate drain.
Monitor the condensate drain, as over time it can get clogged with mud, mold, or algae. The system’s drainage is vital and it’s a good idea to check it often.
Inspect the Air Filters
The top suggestion for spotless DIY HVAC maintenance tips is keeping your air filters clean. It’s easy and beneficial because you allow other components to work efficiently. If the filters are dirty, you are risking the malfunctioning of the whole HVAC system. The airflow restriction is the reason for this, making the blower motor work twice as hard.
An overworked blower motor can die faster than expected. Lots of debris gets caught up in the filters, hindering the whole cooling or heating process. A new filter guarantees cleanliness in your air, with no bacteria or particles.
Turn Off the Humidifier
The funny thing about humidifiers is that most furnaces use one. These humidifiers don’t need to be working all the time. Once summer hits, try to turn off the water supply in your furnace and allow the humidifier to rest.
When the cool weather returns, reduce the humidity back to 35-45% and turn on the water supply. Also, replace the humidifier pad with a new one to avoid collecting bacteria.
Clean Registers and Ducts
Keep the registers and ducts squeaky clean for your HVAC system to continue functioning smoothly. Registers are a breeding ground for all kinds of gunk and bacteria, so put gloves on and get to detailed cleaning.
The air ducts attract the most dust, and keeping them clean will guarantee the longevity of your heating system. This means fewer allergens, and you can usually clean the ducts using your home vacuum. Wipe down the registers once you finish.
Reach Out to Professionals
Although you would do a fantastic job cleaning and maintaining your HVAC, sometimes the processes could be more detailed and complex and require an expert’s touch. For example, only a professional knows how to get your air ducts 100% clean.
If you live in the state of Arizona and know a thing or two about hot weather, take action right now and contact Cummings Plumbing! We help get your HVAC systems in tip-top shape and keep them like that. Call our team and the best service technicians will be at your service!
Maintaining HVAC: Final Words
We disclosed the main things to know about HVAC systems and their importance. They are the key to warmth and refreshment in every household, and keeping them in proper shape is essential to their longevity.
You can always clean the HVAC system yourself and do so by doing some of the simpler tasks. However, because some stages are complex and may require special tools and knowledge, reaching out to professionals is the best option.
FAQ
Is HVAC maintenance necessary?
To have a properly functioning HVAC system for years to come, maintain it regularly with cleanups, checkups, inspections, dusting, etc.
What does it mean for an HVAC to be serviced?
You call professional technicians who come to your home and thoroughly clean the whole HVAC system. They will inspect every part in detail and clean and repair anything malfunctioning.
How often should HVAC be maintained?
Maintain HVAC systems before the winter and summer seasons start, so two times per year.
