Consider the following scenario:
It's the height of summer, and your air conditioner is acting strangely. Although the fans are running, the air is still warm. Or perhaps your heating system fails on a chilly winter day, leaving you outside in the cold. Right, uncomfortable. Here is where your HVAC system, the unseen defender of your home's comfort, comes into play.
However, it needs routine care and maintenance just like any other piece of equipment. This article delves into a thorough checklist for HVAC maintenance so you can keep your system operating smoothly and effectively throughout the year. It's time for homeowners to master HVAC maintenance, so buckle up!
This informative blog aims to guide homeowners such as yourself to the best method of keeping your HVAC system in perfect working condition. Here, we have created the most comprehensive HVAC cleaning checklist that will help homeowners take part in maintaining a pristine HVAC system.
Your HVAC system is a large and complex network of machinery laid out all over the building and premises that, in unison, keeps your indoor air clean and breathable. Perpetual functioning, it requires constant upkeep and maintenance.
Through proper HVAC cleaning and maintenance, you can extend the lifespan of the equipment, maintain optimal performance, conserve energy, and ensure a healthy and comfortable living environment. Through this checklist, homeowners will be able to detect minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs or complete system failures.
Let’s dive deep into the HVAC maintenance checklist for homeowners that ensures the overall functionality of the entire system. This checklist was created with the knowledge of professionals who wish for homeowners to help them provide the best service possible.
Let’s boil it down to basics. Thorough and recommended HVAC cleaning and maintenance should be carried out using processes and steps that professionals are extremely cautious about. If you were to carry out these mandatory bi-annual cleaning directives, your HVAC technician usually has a list of tasks that need to be followed for deep HVAC cleaning.
Here are a few things your HVAC technician will do as per their checklist.
This long list of tasks is a standard for HVAC technicians, but you, as a homeowner, have a few very important tasks that you could carry out as first priority that will ensure the efficiency and longevity of your HVAC system.
To start off - If you were to simply ask how often you should have your HVAC system cleaned and maintained, the best answer is twice a year. There are two distinct times of the year when your HVAC system needs the most attention and falls during the spring and fall, right before the heavy usage periods of summer and winter.
Professional Cleaning: Spring, the time of the year with the most pollutants in the air can wreak havoc on your HVAC system. Professionals will clean your AC unit’s coils, fan blades, and other components, removing all the dust and debris that causes your system to work harder than necessary, reducing its efficiency and lifespan.
Air Filter Replacement: The air filter in your AC unit is constantly trapping tiny dust particles and pathogens from entering the indoor air. These accumulate over time, and your air filters need to be changed or cleaned every 1-3 months, depending on the filter type and the air quality of the region.
Thermostat Calibration: Your thermostat stabilizes the indoor temperatures through a series of sensors. This can become problematic over time, and need calibration once a while, and be tested for correct functioning. A professional will know his way around the thermostat, calibrating it and cleaning sensors all over the place.
Checking Refrigerant Levels: The core of cooling comes from the refrigerant in your AC unit. This is especially important right before the summer months to have a professional check the refrigerant levels, while also checking for leaks and repairing them if necessary.
Professional Cleaning: During fall, a scheduled cleaning maintenance routine is especially vital for the heating components of your HVAC system. Through months of unuse, the heating components gather dust and debris that requires immediate attention.
Professional technicians will clean the heating elements and components, such as the burner assembly in furnaces and heat exchangers in heat pumps to prevent undesirable outcomes.
Air Filter Replacement: Air filters are extremely crucial elements of both heating and cooling systems, requiring attention. It’s constantly filtering out dust, and the accumulation must be cleaned out of the air filter changed completely to restore efficient operation of the heating system.
Thermostat Calibration: Very similar to the spring cleaning, the thermostat will once again need calibration. The heating elements will require the guide of its sensors clean from dust and dirt to properly detect and stabilize the indoor temperature.
Safety Checks: The heating system is a critical section of your HVAC system. Since it requires a furnace that constantly heats air to pump all around the house, it comes with a lot of dangers that can often lead to catastrophic outcomes in rare cases.
Your technician will make sure to perform safety checks, checking for carbon monoxide leaks in gas furnaces and ensuring all electrical connections are secure.
Besides your biannual maintenance check, homeowners are also required to follow quarterly maintenance checks for components that will need more frequent attention and cleaning. Here are the components that will need your attention every 3 months.
Air Filter Check: Once again, air filters will be your number one concern when carrying out quarterly checks. This is especially emphasized to stop dust accumulation which chokes the filter, and slows down the flow of air through the entire HVAC system.
A general rule of thumb is to inspect your filter every month and replace it every 90 days, or sooner if it's visibly dirty.
Check Condensate Drain: Have you ever had water leaking and trickling down your AC unit? This is mainly caused by condensate drains being clogged with dust and debris. This is a very vital element in your quarter yearly check, and you can do this yourself. If left unchecked, it can cause water damage and increase humidity levels.
Inspect Outdoor Unit: The outdoor unit of HVAC systems is usually the component most prone to obstruction. The outdoor elements don't spare anything, filling every nook and cranny with foliage, dust, debris, and bird nests. Every 90 days, it is vital to take a closer look at outdoor units, and make sure nothing is obstructing it, removing anything in the way.
Monthly tasks may seem like a hassle, but this requires the attention of homeowners tackling these tasks themselves. You don’t need the skills and expertise of professionals to tackle these tasks.
Maintaining the monthly checklist will extend the lifespan of your HVAC system, and reduce the work done by professionals, saving you a lot of money.
Change or Clean Air Filters: Monthly checks on your air filter can save you a lot in the long run. These components constantly filter out dust, pollen, and pathogens, needing cleaning or replacement to prevent further air obstruction and increasing the overall efficiency of your HVAC system.
Inspect Ventilation Outlets: The air ducts, and vents all over your house deliver the clean air, and take away the filthy air, creating a safe breathable environment. Sometimes these may be obstructed by furniture, curtains and dust. This is something homeowners can tackle themselves, clearing out obstructions and ensuring proper airflow.
Check and Clean the Outdoor Unit: We have previously mentioned the importance of keeping your outdoor units in check. It isn’t tough work usually, since the outdoor unit isn’t exactly inaccessible. Homeowners are advised to easily access, assess, and clean them without the supervision of professionals.
Regular maintenance checks will allow your HVAC system to run smoothly, and efficiently. Even though these checks will keep all the components in pristine working conditions, it isn’t rare for something to go wrong.
These checks will help you recognize any issues your HVAC system may have, and take preventive measures immediately. If you notice any of these signs, get in touch with your HVAC technicians immediately.
Unexpected Increases in Energy Bills: If you keep track of your electricity bills, and notice a spike, there might be issues with your HVAC system that needs the immediate attention of a professional that will try to get to the bottom of this issue.
Strange Noises: It is a rare occurrence, but sometimes you may hear banging, squealing, or rattling noises that may signal that parts within your HVAC system need repair or replacement.
Inconsistent Temperatures: If certain areas in your home are too hot or too cold, your HVAC system might not be operating correctly, and will require you to immediately identify the issue through a professional.
Strange Smells: HVAC systems do not normally produce an odor, and if you do smell a musty, or burning odor coming from the vents, you will need to take immediate action to prevent any further damage.
To keep it operating at its best, your HVAC system, like any other significant home system, needs routine maintenance. This thorough HVAC maintenance checklist is made to assist homeowners in keeping up with their HVAC maintenance, which will result in lower energy costs, fewer repairs, and a longer system life.
Even though some tasks can be completed on your own, keep in mind that an HVAC expert's knowledge is invaluable for twice-yearly maintenance and solving any potential issues.
This checklist is a great tool for safeguarding your comfort, wallet, and peace of mind whether you're a new homeowner or simply new to HVAC maintenance. Keep in mind that having a properly maintained HVAC system contributes to living a healthier and more informed life.
