When it comes to health, we all know prevention is the best medicine. With regular check-ups and sensible living, we can stay healthy and prevent illnesses that can keep us from working or enjoying life day to day.
When it comes to the health of our HVAC systems, the same holistic thinking applies. By doing regular monthly maintenance and annual check-ups, you can save money on repairs, have your unit operate more efficiently, so you reduce energy bills and extend the life of your system.
You will also achieve the peace of mind that comes from knowing your HVAC is working reliably.
Tune Up Your HVAC Annually
There are things you can do yourself to maintain your HVAC health. But even if you lead a healthy lifestyle, you still need to go to your doctor for annual check-ups.
Similarly, your HVAC needs the annual attention of a service professional, such as the experts at Time Plumbing, Heating & Electric Inc. We will work under the hood to make sure everything purrs.
We will, for example, ensure that your HVAC’s CO levels are OK, check for leaks in gas furnaces, ensure that your unit is operating according to manufacturer specifications, lubricate the motor and check the fan belt on older models.
We can also inspect, repair, replace or clean, as necessary:
- Fan or pump motor
- All safety operational controls
- Venting
- Condensation system
- Blower assembly and combustion blower housing
- Burner assembly
- Ignition system
- Heating elements
- Flue system
- And much more!
Clear Outside Debris
As an HVAC owner, you can also perform monthly maintenance tasks yourself to ensure your unit works at peak efficiency.
To make sure that the outdoor unit can pass air efficiently, you should remove any debris near it and trim back all foliage at least 18 inches.
You can also hose down and clean off the outdoor unit when it is dirt.
Inside your house, make sure there is nothing blocking the supply and return registers.
And if your carbon monoxide detector runs on a battery, you should replace this at least once a year.
Seasonally, you should turn off water going to the furnace humidifier in summer and, in the fall, turn it back on and replace the humidifier filter.
Replace the Air Filter
Another task you can do is to check the air filter and clean or replace it, as needed. Some HVACs have lights that indicate when the filter is becoming clogged and needs replacement.