Inspection of the connections, the operation of the motor and the functionality of the thermostat. 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 it works efficiently and that you're getting the most out of the money you paid for it. If your air conditioning system is reaching 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 regularly maintain your old system.
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 make your equipment 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 recoup those costs many times over in reduced 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. Any air conditioning system requires an air conditioning service performed by a professional once a year.
This includes systems such as ovens or standard central air conditioners. However, if you're using a heat pump system year-round, you'll need to schedule an HVAC service every 6 months. HVAC, which stands for “heating, ventilation and air conditioning,” is the system responsible for helping you maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. You simply can't completely escape heating and cooling repair, but if you change your filters every 3 to 6 months and make sure there are no blockages in the outdoor unit or in the interior vents and ducts, you can expect healthy long-term operation of your air conditioning system.
There are many things that can go wrong with your air conditioning system, such as leaks, corrosion and problems with the distribution of cold or hot air. It's not that you should replace faulty fan blades; let the HVAC technician do the preventive maintenance, but check the blades every two months, both when they're moving and when they're stationary, for signs of damage or wear. Here are three HVAC issues to consider when developing your maintenance program and options. Following this list will help you keep your HVAC in good working order and will also ensure that, if there is a problem, you find out as soon as possible.
If you see signs of wear and tear on the air conditioning system, such as stronger than normal operation, leaks around the unit, lack of hot or cold air inside, and a constant switching of the system between off and on, it means that you need to schedule a heating and cooling repair to save energy and money. Some HVAC maintenance companies also offer annual contracts, where you pay a fixed fee for someone to come once a year. However, regular maintenance means fewer repair problems, as your HVAC technician will detect them early. If you notice any particular problems, you can point them out to your HVAC technician when you arrive for your spring or fall preventive maintenance check.
Keep in mind that, after installing a new air conditioning system or performing some HVAC maintenance routines, some system inspections are necessary to ensure proper operation and installation of the system.
