Prevent Costly HVAC Repairs With Preventative Maintenance

Regular HVAC maintenance will not only extend the life of your system, it will also improve energy efficiency. You can prevent major repairs and pad your budget by scheduling proper maintenance on a regular basis throughout the year. While many jobs require an HVAC Repair & Installation professional, others are quick DIY tasks you can perform on your own. Check all of these tasks off your list to keep your system in the best condition possible.

Monthly

Each month, you should take a few minutes to perform these routine HVAC maintenance tasks. The jobs won’t take long, but the payoff is significant.

    Change your air filter. A clean air filter can lower your energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent.
    Clear away leaves, twigs, dirt, and other debris to ensure that there is at least two feet of clearance around your outdoor AC unit and heat pump. If you have dense foliage in your yard, you may need to do this weekly, particularly in fall.
    Inspect the insulation in your refrigerant line leading to the house to make sure it’s not missing or damaged. Schedule replacement or repair accordingly.

Seasonally

Your heating and air conditioning needs change with the season. If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, add an upgrade to your home improvement wish list and install this technology as soon as possible. Stop to consider how your HVAC system is operating any time the weather changes significantly so you don’t waste energy running the system unnecessarily.

    Update the settings on your thermostat. Keep the home slightly warmer in summer and cooler in winter, particularly when you’re out of the house or sleeping.
    Change the rotation of your ceiling fans. They should rotate counterclockwise in summer and clockwise in winter. This will help heat and cool your home a few extra degrees so you can take some of the strain off your HVAC unit.
    Check your home registers. You may want to adjust airflow in certain areas of the house for more comfort. For example, you may want to kitchen register open fully to allow cool air in during summer. However, in the winter months you’ll need less heat in this space thanks to the warmth provided by the stove. Never close more than 20% of the vents in your home, as this puts excessive strain on your system.

Annually

You should schedule two HVAC maintenance visits each year. One will primarily address the heating system while the other will focus on your air conditioning. You should ideally schedule these at the beginning of the spring or fall before you run each system for the first time. At these visits, your HVAC professional will:

    Check your thermostat to make sure it turns on and off appropriately
    Measure voltage and current of motors
    Tighten electrical connections
    Lubricate moving parts

To keep your heating system in top maintenance, each fall your HVAC professional will:

    Inspect flue piping
    Check gas connections
    Check gas pressure and burner combustion
    Inspect the heat exchanger

In the spring, your appointment will focus on the air conditioner. The professional will:

    Check and adjust your refrigerant level
    Clean the air conditioning coils
    Adjust blower components to improve airflow

If you’re unsure about how to perform about any of the DIY tasks mentioned above, such as changing your air filter, your HVAC professional can show you how during this visit. This is also an excellent time to discuss upgrades to more energy efficient options like system zoning.

Regular maintenance will help your HVAC system run longer and more efficiently, protecting your wallet in many ways.When it comes to home comfort, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We offers a service plan that includes twice-yearly inspection of the furnace or heat pump, thermostat and other heating components and includes same-day emergency service in the event of system failure.  If your home is too cool for comfort, play it safe. Call R&D Indoor Comfort today