As homeowners you should be well aware of the importance of preventative maintenance. PM (as it’s abbreviated) is a huge factor in extending the life of equipment and ensuring its proper running and efficiency.
Of all the systems in your house, your HVAC system is one of the most important to maintain.
The condition of your home heating and air conditioning system is crucial to making sure you have optimal comfort and air quality at home. While most modern systems are reliable and highly efficient, you don’t want something that could have easily been caught through preventative maintenance to wind up costing you many times more through repairs or worse: replacement.
Preventive seasonal maintenance is your best course of action to ensure your HVAC system operates properly and limits the chances of it breaking down at the worst possible moment (which will invariably be when you need it the most!)
Seasonal HVAC Maintenance Tips
Each season brings its own issues and you should have preventative maintenance on your HVAC system for each season. It’s important to keep in mind the different seasons when inspecting your HVAC to make sure it will continue working throughout that season.
When it comes to maintenance requirements, there are a lot of things to consider, including: how old your HVAC system is, whether it currently works to capacity, the last time air filter were changed, whether ducts have been cleaned, and much more.
Here are some of the most important seasonal maintenance requirements you should be concerned with. In most instances, your best bet is to hire a professional HVAC company to provide these maintenance services.
- Spring — Spring is a great time for higher level maintenance on your AC unit. Typically we see mild temps and often homeowners leave their units off or reduce their usage. When the first days of spring are upon you it’s time to check that your air conditioning system is ready for the upcoming seasons. The most important aspect of maintenance at this time of year is an AC tune up. The heating and air conditioning specialist will ensure that the AC is in good working order before the hottest days of the summer are upon you.
- Summer — In most areas of the country, peak AC demand is highest in July and early August—that’s why getting a jump on any PM you may need in late spring or very early Summer is key. Additionally, emergency service calls are huge in the summer and you may find yourself sitting and waiting for an AC technician to be free to make repairs. It’s important to change the filter monthly, especially if someone in your home suffers from allergies, but even more important to change it after Spring, moving into summer. Check that air flow is correct, tighten any electrical connections, and monitor refrigerant pressure. Don’t forget to clean your condensate drain and clean all around your outside unit.
- Fall — When autumn arrives it’s time to get another tune up but this time with heating in mind. Check thermostat calibration, clean the furnace burner assembly, and check again for proper air flow and change the filter. Both Spring and Fall are high allergy times and you want to remove allergens that can make your family uncomfortable. Also, measure the temperature difference between supply air and return air.
- Winter — Winter is another crucial time of year for heating emergency calls—and if your unit can’t handle cold winters you can find yourself without heat on frigid nights. Maintenance items at this time of year should include replacing your filters, having an HVAC technician make sure all electrical components are tightened and operating properly, and lubricating all moving parts. Double check the area around your unit and clear debris from around units. A lot of HVAC units are in closets that also end up as storage repositories, ensure that there is plenty of clearance to avoid fire hazards.
Every season it’s important to pay attention to whether or not your system is making noises that it shouldn’t, whether it’s running properly and efficiently, and even if you notice any odd smells or other issues that can affect performance.
While many homeowners love to go the DIY route for maintenance and repairs—for larger and more critical systems like your HVAC, your best option is to work with a reputable company for HVAC maintenance and service. Look for an HVAC company that offers packages for Winter and Summer tune ups as well as emergency service during peak seasons to help extend the life of your system as well as save you money in the long run. Don’t wait until problems begin to worry about the operation of your HVAC unit—schedule proper maintenance at the right times of year to peace of mind and continuous comfort!
Guest post from McGowan’s Heating and Air Conditioning in Jacksonville, FL
