A great way to extend the life of your HVAC system is regular HVAC maintenance. In addition, regular maintenance will improve the energy efficiency of your HVAC. By scheduling regular maintenance throughout the year, you can prevent major costly repairs and emergencies in the colder months. While many jobs require an HVAC Repair & Installation professional, others are quick DIY (do it yourself) tasks you can perform yourself. Check all of these tasks off your list to keep your system in the best condition possible.
Monthly
Every month, you should take a few minutes to perform these routine HVAC maintenance tasks. The jobs don’t take up a lot of your time, and the payoff is definitely worth it.
- Change your air filter. A clean air filter can lower your energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent.
- Clear away leaves, twigs, dirt, and other debris to ensure that there are at least two feet of clearance around your outdoor AC unit and heat pump. If you have dense foliage in your yard, you may need to do this weekly, particularly in fall.
- Inspect the insulation in your refrigerant line leading to the house to make sure it’s not missing or damaged. Schedule replacement or repair accordingly.
Seasonally
It makes sense that your heating and air conditioning needs will change with the seasons.
- Update the settings on your thermostat. Keep the home slightly warmer in summer and cooler in winter, particularly when you’re out of the house or sleeping.
- Change the rotation of your ceiling fans. They should rotate counterclockwise in summer and clockwise in winter. This will help heat and cool your home a few extra degrees so you can take some of the strain off your HVAC unit.
- Check your home registers. You may want to adjust airflow in certain areas of the house for more comfort. For example, you may want to kitchen register open fully to allow cool air in during summer. However, in the winter months, you’ll need less heat in this space thanks to the warmth provided by the stove. Never close more than 20% of the vents in your home, as this puts excessive strain on your system.
Annually
You should schedule two HVAC maintenance visits each year. One to focus on your cooling system and one to focus on your heating system. At both these visits, your HVAC professional will:
- Check your thermostat to make sure it turns on and off appropriately
- Measure voltage and current of motors
- Tighten electrical connections
- Lubricate moving parts
To keep your heating system in top maintenance, each Fall season your HVAC professional will:
- Inspect flue piping
- Check gas connections
- Check gas pressure and burner combustion
- Inspect the heat exchanger
In the Spring season, your appointment will focus on the air conditioner. The professional will:
- Check and adjust your refrigerant level
- Clean the air conditioning coils
- Adjust blower components to improve airflow
If you’re not exactly sure how to go about performing any of the DIY tasks mentioned above, your HVAC professional can show you how during the routine maintenance visits. This is also an excellent time to discuss upgrades to more energy efficient options like system zoning or a programmable thermostat.
Regular maintenance will help your HVAC system run longer and more efficiently, protecting your wallet in many ways. If it’s been awhile since you’ve checked up on your system, call Alpine Temperature Control in St. George, Utah today!
