Heating and air conditioning systems are lifesavers at times. Yet, these systems have a limited lifespan, and regular maintenance is needed to prolong their life, notes BRS Management group.
Neglecting the importance of HVAC maintenance can lead to expensive repairs. In fact, an un-maintained unit can even increase your utility bills if it fails to provide enough heat or cooling.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prevent this. Keep reading to learn some HVAC maintenance tips you can follow starting today to extend the life of your heating and cooling system.
Table of Contents
1. Change Your Filters Every Month
HVAC systems can be surprisingly efficient at cooling and heating your home, but they can also produce large amounts of debris and dust. So, you’ll need to change your filters every month to keep that debris from contaminating your indoor air.
You can choose from either disposable or reusable filters, but keep in mind that reusable filters will need to be cleaned every month to continue to work efficiently. If you live in a dusty environment, you might need to clean your filters more frequently than once a month. You should use a filter that can trap large amounts of dust and germs while still allowing enough airflow to keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
2. Check Your Ductwork Twice a Year
Like all ductwork, the ducts in your home will eventually suffer from wear and tear. This can restrict airflow, create a dust buildup, and even cause the HVAC system to malfunction.
To avoid these issues, you should have your ducts inspected and cleaned twice a year. If any ductwork needs to be replaced, you’ll want to have it done before it causes an expensive HVAC failure. If you live in a very dry and hot area, you might also want to consider installing humidifiers in your ductwork to prevent the indoor air from becoming too dry.
3. Have Your Condenser RotorsTurned Once a Year
As part of the HVAC system’s cooling process, the condenser uses rotating vanes to pull air through the unit and out into the atmosphere. Over time, these vanes can become coated in dirt, which will reduce their effectiveness and increase the energy consumption of your HVAC system.
To clean these vanes and extend the life of your unit, you should turn them once a year. This will increase the cleaning efficiency and extend the life of your unit.
4. Check and Clean Your Coils Monthly
Air is pulled through your HVAC system using a series of coils located within the outdoor unit. These coils are responsible for keeping your home at a consistent temperature, so they must stay debris-free.
Over time, these coils will accumulate dirt, which can restrict airflow and cause the unit to work harder than it should. You can use a brush designed for HVAC systems to clean these coils. You’ll want to do this monthly to keep your system running smoothly and prevent a sudden failure due to excessive buildup.
5. HVAC Unit Repairs Stands Should Be Installed and Monthly Checks
As time passes, the components of your HVAC system will begin to wear down. You can slow down this process by inspecting your equipment regularly and installing HVAC unit repair stands to keep everything off the ground.
If a part of your system is failing, you’ll want to replace it as soon as possible to avoid causing damage to the other components. Replacing a faulty part before it has a chance to stop working saves you lots of time and money. If you can’t repair it on your own, you can always call professionals such as AirZone Air Conditioning & Heating to help you out.
6. Fix Broken Or Misaligned Parts
If one of the parts in your HVAC system is misaligned or broken, it can create a chain reaction that damages or destroys other components of your system. For example, if your air filter is broken, it can cause debris to build up on the coils in your HVAC system and cause them to overheat.
To prevent these costly chain reactions, you should regularly inspect every part of your HVAC system for signs of wear or damage. If you detect something that needs to be replaced or repaired, it’s best to do it as soon as possible. Waiting to repair a broken part could lead to more serious problems and more expensive repairs later on.
7. Change Out the Equipment Oil
As with any machine, your HVAC system will eventually break down if you don’t conduct regular HVAC maintenance. One way you can prolong its life is by regularly changing the oil in your HVAC unit.
You’ll want to do this once per year or once every 10,000 hours of operation to make sure that your HVAC unit functions at its peak performance. If you wait too long to change the oil in your unit, it could break down completely, leading to expensive repairs.
8. Check for Leaks
HVAC systems are filled with small pipes and tubes that transfer heated and cooled air throughout your house. These pipes can develop leaks over time; many homeowners don’t notice them until it’s too late.
If your HVAC system leaks, you can be sure it’s costing you a lot of money. You can check for leaks by simply examining your HVAC system. Look for damp spots on the ground around your unit or strange sounds coming from within it.
HVAC Maintenance Tips—Revealed
HVAC systems are a big part of our lives, which is why it’s important to remember that they have a limited lifespan. If you don’t regularly maintain your HVAC system, it will break down before its time.
So, follow the HVAC maintenance tips listed above to prevent this from happening. If you want to keep learning about similar topics, keep reading through our blog.
