An HVAC system is an essential part of any home. Not only does it keep your living space comfortable, but it also helps maintain the quality of the air you breathe. But, like any other appliance, an HVAC system needs regular maintenance and care to function properly. Leaving it unchecked can cause numerous problems and quickly become costly to repair or replace. Maintaining your HVAC system can be daunting, and understanding what’s involved can sometimes seem overwhelming. However, when done correctly and regularly, it helps keep energy costs low, reduces the need for repairs or breakdowns, and extends the life of your heating and cooling systems. To help get you started on the right foot toward successfully maintaining your HVAC system and protecting your home’s value for years to come, here are some tips about how best to approach the task.
1. Clean or Replace Your Filters Regularly
Proper HVAC system maintenance should include regularly cleaning or replacing the filters as needed. A clogged filter reduces airflow, resulting in inefficient performance and high energy bill and can cause the system to work harder than it needs to, potentially leading to premature system degradation. A brand-new filter results in better air quality for you and your family. With clean filters, the air is filtered more efficiently, and dust, allergens, pet hair, and other elements that can travel through the air don’t make their way into your home.
While the frequency of cleaning or replacing the filters depends on various factors, it’s best to consult with a professional from Woodward Heating Air Plumbing to ensure that your HVAC system is working correctly and up-to-date with recommended service intervals. Also, refer to your owner’s manual for details on how often you should clean or replace your filter. Regular checking of your filter will extend the lifespan of your HVAC system while ensuring everyone in the house has clean, healthy air.
2. Check Vents and Registers
Regularly checking your vents and ducts for obstructions or damage is essential for keeping your HVAC system running efficiently and reducing the risk of potential breakdowns down the road. Obstructed vents can lead to uneven heating or cooling, while damaged registers can cause energy loss and create a fire hazard. It’s essential to check these vents and registers for any signs of dust buildup, accumulation of dirt, pet hair, allergens, and debris that can block off airways.
Additionally, regularly checking will help you catch any animal or pest intruders that may have made their way into the ventilation system, particularly rodents. If you notice any obstructions, contact an HVAC expert from Woodward Heating Air Plumbing to clean and unblock the vents and registers. Additionally, if the professionals detect any signs of damage in the vents and registers, they can repair the problem before it worsens.
3. Schedule Professional Maintenance
Regularly scheduling professional maintenance is essential for proactively detecting and repairing issues before they become large, costly problems, helping to ensure your system works optimally and efficiently all year round. Consider scheduling a tune-up with a reliable technician before any heavy use seasons or if it’s been a while since you have your HVAC system checked. Doing so reduce energy costs, extend the unit’s life, decrease potentially expensive repairs, ensure safety standards are being met, and ultimately save you time and money in the long run.
During these maintenance visits, professionals will inspect each component of the system, check refrigerant levels, calibrate controls, and perform other necessary maintenance tasks as needed. Professional maintenance also helps ensure that any features or parts needing replacements are identified and replaced by experienced technicians with the knowledge and skill to install them correctly. Make sure to look for trained and certified professionals knowledgeable in all HVAC services to get your unit checked out. To schedule professional HVAC system maintenance, reach out to experts from Woodward Heating Air Plumbing.
4. Clean Your Condensing Unit
Not cleaning the condensing unit can lead to buildup, clogged coils, insufficient airflow, and other issues. With regular cleaning, you will be able to improve indoor air quality and ensure that your system can continue functioning properly. Regular maintenance also helps to protect your condensing unit from outside elements such as wind, rain, snow, and debris that can get caught in the coils and reduce its efficiency over time.
5. Keep the Area Around Your Outdoor Unit Clear
If the outdoor unit becomes blocked on any side by plants or objects, it can throw off airflow and impede its proper functioning. Hot air builds up in the cabinet, which causes the motor to overheat and can also damage the coils. Keeping the area around your outdoor HVAC unit clear should include clearing away branches, leaves, and other debris that can impede airflow. For long-term maintenance, it’s also vital to regularly cut back any foliage or landscaping around the outdoor unit to prevent overgrowth that might cover the outdoor unit entirely or block vents. Inviting a technician from Woodward Heating Air Plumbing to inspect your outdoor unit periodically and clear away any nearby plants or other interference is essential when maintaining your HVAC system.
6. Check the Evaporator Coil’s Drainpipe and Drain Pan
This should be done during any scheduled maintenance and anytime a problem has been detected with your HVAC system. The evaporator coil needs regular inspection to ensure that all moisture that comes off the unit has been drained correctly, as failing to do so can cause corrosion and seal failure in the system that can hamper performance.
7. Inspect Ductwork for Leaks
Leaking ductwork can lead to inefficient heating or cooling due to loss of air pressure within the ducts, leading to higher energy bills and inefficient temperature regulation. A regular performance evaluation of significant components like ducts or blowers is crucial to ensure that your system runs smoothly and correctly. If any leaks are discovered, ensure you get them sealed off in a timely manner to minimize long-term impacts on your comfort. An HVAC expert from Woodward Heating Air Plumbing will ensure all joints are appropriately sealed with mastic sealant or metal tape, ensuring that no air escapes through cracks or holes in the ducts during operation.
8. Check the Refrigerant Level
An HVAC system with an insufficient refrigerant level may cause problems such as short cycling or high operating costs due to overworking the compressor. You should call a technician to check it regularly since improper handling of refrigerants can be dangerous to yourself and the environment.
9. Check Thermostat Settings
The right temperature and humidity level can make a huge difference in your comfort and future utility costs. Plus, it’s the key to preventing wear and tear on the system over time. Incorrectly calibrated thermostats can lead to higher electricity bills due to excessive fan run time & compressors trying their best but failing at reaching desired temperature settings because they’re just not programmed correctly.
Rely on the Professionals
Caring for your HVAC system is essential for keeping your home comfortable throughout the year and ensuring safe air quality inside your residence. By following these simple tips, you will help ensure that your home stays comfortable during those cold winter months and hot summer days without breaking the bank on expensive repairs down the line. If you need assistance with maintaining your HVAC system, contact professionals from Woodward Heating Air Plumbing.
Our technicians will be happy to help you keep your system running smoothly all year long. We also offer comprehensive heating, air conditioning, plumbing, new construction, and indoor air quality services in Salem, OR, Aumsville, all of Marion County, and the surrounding areas. Some solutions include furnaces, heat pumps, ductless air conditioners, fireplace services, gas piping, duct cleaning, and thermostats. Contact Woodward Heating Air Plumbing today for exceptional heating and cooling services.
