During extreme heat and cold, your comfort relies on your HVAC systems. Maintaining them before harsh winters and summers can help avoid breakdowns and ensure your units are in peak condition during these seasons. In addition to these, neglecting routine maintenance can shorten your HVAC unit’s lifespan and reduce its energy efficiency.
Heating and cooling units are complex systems with delicate parts, so tune-ups of HVACs are best left to the pros. During your maintenance call, the services you will receive may vary depending on your HVAC provider. But there are a few key things experts always do to keep HVAC systems at optimal conditions. Here are some of them:
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Assessment, Lubrication, and Cleaning of Blower Motor
Blower motors push cold and hot air around your home. They are vital for keeping your space at a comfortable temperature and humidity.
During tune-ups, professionals typically conduct mechanical and electrical checks of your blower motor. They also lubricate necessary parts and remove dust on the motor and fan blades. These activities can ensure that air is circulating properly throughout your rooms.
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Testing and Tightening Wire Connections
Loose connections in your furnace or air conditioners may cause your equipment to malfunction and overheat. In addition, they pose safety hazards since they can lead to a fire. HVAC experts usually inspect, test, and tighten electrical connections to prevent problems in your unit. If necessary, they can also replace wires.
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Replacement of Air Filters
Filters are not only changed during routine maintenance checks. Ideally, they should be replaced every 60 to 90 days since accumulated dust on filters can restrict the airflow from your HVAC unit. This can make your system work harder to attain the set temperature, leading to higher energy bills and a shorter lifespan of your HVAC. Beyond that, dirty filters can lead to poor indoor air quality.
During HVAC maintenance, technicians generally check the air filters of your air conditioner and furnace. Based on their observations, they can recommend whether you need to change the filters of your HVAC system.
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Calibration of the Thermostat
Proper calibration of your thermostat ensures that it reads your home’s temperature correctly. Dirt accumulating inside the unit and jostling can degrade your sensor’s accuracy. HVAC technicians usually check your thermostat during tune-ups and calibrate it if needed.
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Looking for Mold Growth
Some parts of your air conditioner are usually moist, so they are prone to mold and mildew growth, primarily when your unit has gathered dust and debris. Molds and mildews can cause health issues and damage your system. For these reasons, your HVAC technician typically checks AC units for the presence of these organisms.
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Clearing of Indoor and Outdoor Coils
Your residential HVAC equipment can suffer significant damage if its coils are dirty. During maintenance calls, HVAC experts clean indoor and outdoor coils of dirt and grime. This ensures optimal performance of your heating and cooling system and prevents damage to your unit.
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Checking for Leaks
Water and refrigerant can leak from your HVAC unit. These leaks can cause your system to work harder than it should. They also bring about water damage to the structures of your home. HVAC technicians inspect refrigerant and condensate lines for leaks and address the issues they find.
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Inspection and Cleaning of Heat Exchangers
Even small amounts of soot and debris can cause your heat exchanger to lose efficiency, so cleaning these parts is typically included in maintenance services. Carbon monoxide and other toxins may also leak from heat exchangers, so HVAC technicians check them for potential holes and gaps.
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Provision of Written Report
Generally, HVAC service providers hand you a report of what they have done during the maintenance call. This usually details all the tasks they performed, their inspection findings, and suggestions for any needed repairs.
When Is the Best Time To Schedule HVAC Tune-Ups?
It would be best to have your heating and cooling systems maintained before they need to work harder. Ideally, this is around late spring or fall, before the sweltering summer heat or the harsh cold winter arrives. By conducting tune-ups before your system is running hard, you can avoid system breakdowns at the worst possible time and achieve better-operating efficiency.
Compare Maintenance Packages
HVAC companies do not offer the same packages. Before hiring someone, ensure they provide all the essential services you need or want. Also, check if they handle your unit’s model. Some HVAC companies may be unable to work on phased-out devices or ones for which they lack the necessary maintenance tools.
Contact HVAC Professionals for Maintenance
Routine tune-ups of heating and cooling systems are crucial for your comfort, the energy efficiency of your unit, and its longevity. Call HVAC experts if your HVAC is due for maintenance.