As a homeowner, it’s crucial to maintain the health of your HVAC system. At best, malfunctions may be exceedingly uncomfortable; at worst, they may cause significant property damage or even risk human life. But whenever you discover faulty parts with your HVAC, and you need professional “HVAC services near me,” you can turn to Los Angeles Heater Repair.
Unfortunately, these systems are complicated. Even figuring out what needs to be done to keep on top of any issues can feel like a huge challenge—so in this blog article, the list of HVAC maintenance tips is put together. This assists you in identifying a list of maintenance duties, how frequently they should be performed, and how a house guarantee will shield you if the worst does happen.
Here are the 10 tips for HVAC maintenance for 2023:
- Keep the area around your HVAC unit clear.
Keeping the space clear of clutter, furniture, plants, and other obstacles is one of the simplest ways to ensure that your home’s heating and cooling system operates efficiently. Any object put near your HVAC system may restrict airflow, reducing energy efficiency and making your HVAC system work harder than necessary.
This is true for interior and outdoor components, such as air conditioner condensers and your furnace. Furniture, plants, and other items should be kept indoors at least 2 feet away from any HVAC equipment. Any outside HVAC components should have a two-foot clearance from foliage, twigs, or soil.
- Clean outdoor equipment regularly.
More than just a financial burden, a filthy HVAC system puts you and your family in danger. In severe circumstances, the air circulating through it may transmit poisons or bacterial illnesses throughout your house. It will gather impurities. Because of this, it is wise to clean your HVAC system frequently.
Cleaning will be required regularly for exterior equipment, such as the condenser for your air conditioner or the outdoor part of the heat pump. Turn off the electricity to your outdoor unit before cleaning. Remove any collected debris from the device’s exterior using a brush, paying close attention to any air intake or exhaust vents. Trim any grass, bushes, or shrubs within a two-foot radius around the HVAC.
- Clean indoor equipment occasionally.
Dust and other debris will accumulate more slowly indoors, but it still affects your HVAC system’s overall efficiency and sanitation. Check for dust buildup on your HVAC system’s components and clean them regularly.
Indoors, dust and other debris will build up more gradually, but they still impact your HVAC system’s cleanliness and general performance. Make sure to frequently check for dust accumulation on the parts of your HVAC system and clean them.
Turn off your air conditioner and disconnect the drain pipe before cleaning a condensate drain. The drain should remove any organic accumulation by adding a cup of bleach. For safe drain line disconnections, refer to the owner’s handbook for your system.
- Replace the filters when they get dirty
Your HVAC system’s basic operation involves drawing in air, which is heated or cooled as needed. Its air filters must be regularly changed for it to accomplish this efficiently. While the majority of manufacturers will provide recommendations for when to replace your air filters—typically every 90 days—the precise date may vary greatly depending on the quality of the air. You might need to change the filter much more frequently if wildfire smoke, volcanic ash, or other airborne toxins are common in your region. Remove the air filter once a month and hold it in front of a light. It is time to replace the filter if you can no longer see the light through it.
- Keep a regular HVAC maintenance schedule.
The first four points covered a lot of ground. Because of this, it’s a good idea to have a straightforward routine in place that reminds you when and how to maintain your HVAC system. You are welcome to copy our design or develop your own.
- Practice preventative maintenance to save money
You may have seen in our maintenance program that we suggested a professional examination. A professional system inspection should be performed at least twice a year, once in preparation for the summertime transfer from heat to air conditioning and again for the wintertime switch. This is in addition to everything else you can do yourself.
- Check for leaks
While evaluating your HVAC system, any fluid accumulation close to the unit or any audible air exiting might indicate a leak. Leaks are a constant problem. If you are not confident in fixing a leak, speak with a professional and explain the situation.
However, you may frequently quickly fix a leak with caulk or weatherstripping. Find the leak’s source first. Then, cover it with a film of weatherstripping glue. When you see that the system is no longer leaking, gently push it in first, then firmly press it to secure it. Apply some caulk to the space instead if the leak is smaller or has an odd shape.
- Monitor your energy costs
In addition to your normal monthly checks, keep an eye out for abrupt rises in your electricity bill. Reduced energy efficiency as a result of a broken component.
Check the air filters and the condensate drain and clear any blockages from the area surrounding your HVAC equipment if you see an inexplicable rise. Call an expert if the issue is still present in a month.
- Check for leaks
You can often easily fix a leak using weather stripping or caulk. First, locate the site of the leak. Next, apply a strip of weatherstripping adhesive to it. Press it gently at first, then push it in more firmly to secure it once you see that the system is no longer leaking.
In many cases, caulk or weather stripping can quickly remedy a leak. Find the leak’s source first. After that, attach a strip of glue for weatherstripping to it. When you see that the system is no longer leaking, gently push it in first, then firmly press it to secure it.
- Count on a professional at least once a year.
Having your HVAC system serviced by a professional at least once or twice a year is crucial, even if the DIY maintenance suggestions described above are quite simple to complete. By doing this, you can be confident that everything is in working order and that any issues can be resolved right away. This will not only stop problems from getting worse, but it will also end up saving you money over time.
By servicing your HVAC system, you can ensure it is running at peak efficiency and has the most recent parts. By hiring a professional to maintain your system, you can be sure that you’re receiving the finest servicing possible and that you won’t put your house or health in danger by neglecting to get it serviced.
If you follow these instructions for preventive maintenance of HVAC, you should have no problem keeping a comfortable temperature in your home, no matter the weather.