The two most basic maintenance elements are regularly scheduled filter changes and cleaning the condenser coil and evaporator. Both of these tasks ensure adequate airflow in the system, allowing the equipment to function as designed. The goal of regular maintenance of air conditioning systems is to keep your system running at the highest quality for as long as possible. But even if you do a good job of maintenance, each component still has a life cycle.
Stay home long enough and there's a good chance you'll need some replacement parts installed. Preventive maintenance performed twice a year is a common option. It's best to schedule these visits in spring and fall, when air conditioning and heating aren't the most intense. Filters remove dust, hair and other particles from the air so that these contaminants don't spread throughout the house. You can improve air quality inside your home and use less energy by changing your HVAC filter every 30 days.
Clean filters allow more air to pass through, allowing the system to heat and cool more efficiently. For most systems, filters with a MERV rating between 7 and 13 offer an excellent balance between filtration capacity and maximum airflow. The average lifespan of an HVAC system is between 15 and 25 years. Several variables can increase or reduce this time, such as the type of system, the brand and the consistency of maintenance.
By taking care of your heating and cooling system diligently, you'll maximize its lifespan and maintain greater efficiency for a longer period of time. The same goes for an air conditioning system. If you've invested in a newer heating or cooling unit, you'll want to make sure that it works efficiently and that you're getting the most out of the money you paid for it. If your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is nearing the end of its average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, but you have no plans to buy a newer one, it's essential that you check your old system regularly.
As we mentioned before, you should change your filters every 30 to 90 days. You'd be surprised how many people don't do this. A clean filter greatly improves the efficiency of your air conditioning unit. Dirty filters mean that your equipment has to work a lot harder to keep your home at the temperature you want.
Buying a new filter every month may seem expensive, but you'll recover those costs many times more than by reducing energy bills. There's no reason to keep a humidifier running in summer. When the weather starts to cool down in late summer or early fall and you're thinking of turning on the heater, install a new filter and adjust the humidifier to a humidity of around 40 percent. Then, turn on the water supply.
A regular maintenance plan allows your equipment to last longer and reduces the likelihood that you'll have to buy a new air conditioning system before getting the most out of an old one. Unless you have a lot of experience maintaining or repairing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, you probably don't want to try to fix it on your own. You can't make a to-do list for air conditioning if you don't know what you need to do first. Leaves fall in autumn, pollen blows in spring, and before you know it, all kinds of elements accumulate around your air conditioning unit.
During these maintenance checks, companies and HVAC installation technicians will thoroughly repair the system, inspect it and troubleshoot the system so that it continues to operate efficiently and prevent breakdowns. There are many things that can go wrong with your air conditioning system, such as leaks, corrosion, and problems with the distribution of hot or cold air. You could restrict the items on your annual HVAC maintenance checklist to a single system, such as air conditioning. Keeping your HVAC system in top condition is a great way to save money on monthly energy bills and avoid the high costs of repairing or replacing the system, or having to call your HVAC company.
The outdoor air conditioning unit can easily be converted into a collection point for fallen leaves, twigs, grass clippings and other waste. Consider scheduling two seasonal HVAC adjustments each year, one in spring for air conditioning and one in fall for heating. Maintaining your air conditioning system includes operating it at temperatures that are comfortable for you and avoiding using it for so long while you are away from home. or sleeping.
Most of the HVAC maintenance you do as a homeowner is proactive and preventive, meaning you're doing work that will help prevent problems from happening in the future.
