HVAC systems, which stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, are an integral part of the operation of a home. In order to keep it running, it needs to be appropriately maintained. You can avoid unexpected emergencies with air conditioning and furnaces by practicing preventative maintenance. Below are five tips for maintaining your HVAC system.
- Keep it Clean
Your HVAC system needs to be kept clean to run correctly. The heating and cooling system in your house will usually consist of a furnace and air condition, or a heat pump. There also is an indoor unit, which is the evaporator and blower, and the outdoor component, which consists of the condenser coil and compressor that needs to be considered.
There are various ways that you can clean your system, but first, you need to ensure that you turn the power is off before trying to clean anything. Remove the top of your unit, and using a hose start to clean the fins by spraying for the inside out. Continually removing debris will help keep the system running effectively.
- Inspect Wiring
During the cleaning, when you have the power off, it’s a good time to check the wiring and connections to your heating a cooling system. To examine the wires and components, you will need to remove the access panel on the condensing unit and look for any wires that may have melted or look burned. As you check the wiring, inspect the electrical connections to make sure that they are tights and secure.
- Examine the Filter
Your furnace and air conditioning move air through a filter. Over time this filter will build up with dirt. Your heating and cooling system will work harder depending on your filters MERV Rating, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. It is essential to know the rating of your air filters because it impacts how efficient the filter and air quality is in your home.
You can clean your filters, but eventually, you do need to replace your filter to receive optimum efficiency. If the filter is dirty, it decreases airflow and makes your system work harder then it needs too, that’s why cleaning and replacing your filters are so crucial to maintaining your HVAC system.
- Assess the Thermostat
As technology changes, you need to modernize your items, and this includes your thermostat. The best way to use your heating and cooling system is by installing a programmable thermostat that lets you set the air conditioning to start before 15-minutes before you get home, instead of having it blast all day long. Checking and updating your thermostat will save you time and money, and help guarantee that your heating and cooling system is maintained throughout the year.
- Examine the Fan
There is a fan mounted on top of your outdoor condenser unit that needs to be checked. The importance of maintaining your HVAC system is ensuring that it has the proper airflow. Again, to check the fan, you will need to shut off the power, and remove and examine the top of the blade, if you notice any cracks or visible chips you will need to replace the fan blade. Clean all around the fans before you put everything back together.
If you ever think your fan isn’t working well, you should probably be considering replacing the fan, as it will probably cost less money now to replace the fan, than the entire condensing unit down the road.
Final Thoughts
Remember to ensure you have a well-maintained HVAC system, and it needs to be checked several times a year, especially during season changes when you switch from your furnace to your air conditioning. Waiting and neglecting proper maintenance, such as cleaning, checking, and replacing parts of your system, might leave you needing an expensive fix and with no cold air when summertime hits.
If you aren’t comfortable performing maintenance on your HVAC system by yourself, it is recommended to bring in a professional who can perform the preventative maintenance needed twice a year to ensure your system is running at full efficiency.
