All homes have an HVAC system designed to cool or heat them during hot or cold months efficiently. Unfortunately, these systems do not last forever and, over time, need a bit of maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Regular maintenance is the key to keeping the HVAC running smoothly and reliably in your home.
HVAC is an abbreviation for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, which most people refer to as simply HVAC. The system and units, ducts, furnace, air filters, and refrigerant make up the average home HVAC system. HVAC systems are built to provide comfortable temperatures as well as good indoor air quality. However, indoor air quality is something that you should always be aware of because poor quality can have serious consequences for people’s health. As a result, while maintaining your HVAC system is essential for the same, it is also critical that you keep a close eye on your indoor air quality by occasionally calling up experts who can provide services such as VOC Testing in Santa Ana or wherever you live.
Regrettably, HVAC systems are an often-overlooked part of home maintenance, but this can lead to problems later. The good news is you can fix most minor issues yourself, while some issues can be more complicated.
Maintaining your home’s heating and cooling system is important. Not only can it save you money on your energy bill, but it can also keep your home comfortable and safe. Maintenance also helps you identify and fix problems early on before they can cause major damage. For instance, cleaning the heating furnace before winter so that when you refuel it (check out romeosfuel.com or similar suppliers for heating oil services), there is less chance of your heating system breaking down mid-season.
It is a well-known fact that air conditioners tend to run a lot during the summer. You usually notice this most when you leave on a sweltering day and come home to a cool house. But, while nothing beats a well-insulated home that keeps cold air inside, your HVAC unit can take a toll on your energy bill during the summer. One way to keep your HVAC unit running smoothly is by doing some basic DIY maintenance on it.
DIY Tips for Your HVAC Maintenance
- Replace the filters
Replacing your air filters is one of the easiest and most effective things you can do to keep your heating and cooling systems functioning efficiently and clean. It is also one of the simplest DIY maintenance tasks. However, just because you can do it yourself does not mean you should. A dirty air filter can cause your heating and cooling systems to run less efficiently and cost you more money, and if you do it yourself and break it in the process, you are going to be forking out more money to get it fixed.
- Check your unit’s clearance
Checking your unit’s clearance, your HVAC system’s minimum distance from the outside wall, and your unit’s clearance are some of the HVAC maintenance tips you should know. The clearance is the amount of space that the unit needs away from the outside wall. The clearance should be at least one inch from the top, bottom, and sides.
- Clean the condensate drain line
Whether it is an air conditioner that stops working on the hottest day of the year or a furnace that sputters to a halt in winter, taking the time to learn how to fix broken HVAC equipment can save homeowners a lot of money in the long run. Most homeowners could be busy sourcing heating oil from reputed providers (check out https://hollenbachoil.com/ as an example) to prepare their homes for the winters. Sometimes, they can be negligent towards the appliances. A clogged central air conditioner condensate drain line is a common problem and one that can be easily fixed on your own.
- Keep your evaporator and condenser coils clean
DIY HVAC maintenance is not complex, but it is essential. It does not matter whether you have a single unit or a mini-mega-system with dozens of different components; cleaning your HVAC coils staves off a number of problems. Dirty coils function as filters for dust, dirt, and allergens, which means they keep your air filters cleaner, which means cleaner, healthier air. And clean coils mean more energy efficiency, which results in more money in your pocket.
- Check air ducts during HVAC maintenance
The most successful HVAC maintenance processes focus on ensuring the air ducts are working properly and that air escapes properly from home. The HVAC system is designed to ensure the air kept indoors is as free of allergens, toxins, and humidity as possible. However, without proper maintenance, the system can become inefficient and ineffective, letting in these allergens and toxins that you have been trying to avoid. Corrosion and rust buildup can be a problem that causes HVAC system components to malfunction or break down when they are exposed to moisture. Not to mention, rust particles can contaminate indoor common areas by entering the air stream. Hence, it is necessary to service the system at regular intervals. However, even after taking all the necessary precautions, if your HVAC system has worn out, you have the choice of hiring HVAC restoration experts to fix the damaged parts.
- Check for tears in air ducts
Maintenance needs to be done on your heating and cooling systems. And the most important task you can do to keep the system in good working condition is to check for air leaks. Even if you do not notice any drafts or warm or cool air escaping your home, you will still want to check for leaks from time to time. If air is escaping, more than likely, it means your ducts are leaking, or your system is straining.
When you own an older home, an inefficient HVAC system is one of the first issues you are likely to encounter. Your HVAC system is critical to your home’s comfort and health, so it is important to perform routine maintenance and keep an eye out for possible problems.