Are you looking after your HVAC system the way you should?
Your HVAC system plays an integral role in keeping your home comfortable to live in. But to keep it working right, you’ll need to give it a helping hand with a regular HVAC maintenance service. Which, if you haven’t done it before, can seem a little daunting.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Read on for these top 5 HVAC maintenance tips every homeowner should know.
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Change the Filters
Filters are the part that keeps your system clean, removing large particles from your air. Your filters need cleaning or replacing every 1-3 months on average. If it’s a high-pollen season or you have pets, you may want to replace/clean them more often.
The recommended filter rating should be MERV 7-11. Anything higher will restrict the airflow in your system. This can cause strain on your HVAC unit, making it less efficient.
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Inspect and Clear the Outdoor Unit
Check your outdoor unit for any leaves or overgrown vegetation. You should clear the area around your unit, so your airflow isn’t restricted. Trim any trees or bushes to make sure you have at least 2ft of clearance on each side.
Otherwise, you risk clogging up your unit and causing it to break or not work the way it should. You should pay particular attention to vegetation that gives off a lot of pollen. Plants like Cottonwood trees are well known to cause clogging in condensing units.
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Clean the Condensing Unit
Your condensing unit/heat pump sits outside and uses a fan to push out hot hair in the summer. It’s not uncommon for grime, dirt, and pollen to clog up the metal fins of this condensing unit.
Each season, you should spray water onto the outside of the unit to give it a good clean. Use a hose, not a pressure washer, otherwise, you can cause permanent damage to the unit. HVAC replacement or repair can be costly, so you want to avoid it.
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Check the Evaporator Coil Drainpipe & Pan
Check the HVAC unit’s drainpipe and clear out any algae or mold build-up. For any blockages, a wet-dry vacuum can suck it up, or bleach will usually help.
If blockages don’t get sorted, you might end up with the unit overflowing and water pouring into your home. Having a “ceiling saver” float switch installed is a good idea. It’ll turn the HVAC unit off, preventing any disastrous leaks.
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Get Professional Maintenance
Twice a year, you should call in a licensed professional HVAC maintenance company to look at your unit. This HVAC preventative maintenance should include:
- checking voltage
- checking drainage
- flushing the coils
- checking refrigerant
- testing furnace function
- vacuuming blower compartments
Spring and Fall are the best times to call in for HVAC and heating repair. Winter and Summer see the most use for your unit. So, checking a system check-up before will help keep your HVAC unit running at its best when you need it the most.
HVAC Maintenance Tips Made Easy
So, there you have it! Now you know these 5 top HVAC maintenance tips, you’ll be able to keep your unit running as it should.
It’s important to stay on top of maintenance if you want your unit to stay efficient and last its full lifespan. If left, repair costs will mount up, so it’s a mistake you don’t want to make.
If you found this article useful, be sure to check out our other blog posts.
