As a homeowner or renter, you have a ton of maintenance tasks to take care of throughout the year. Between your car, lawn, household appliances, and everything else that requires attention, it can be easy for some things to slip through the cracks, like maintaining your HVAC system. “Out of sight, out of mind” tends to apply pretty heavily to HVAC units, especially when there are a million other things to think about, but we would recommend putting your heating and cooling system high on your list of priorities. We keep our HVAC systems going throughout the harshest parts of the year, and a little maintenance can go a long way toward making sure everything runs smoothly. Just like getting your car a tune-up, regular HVAC service can extend the lifespan of your units, save you from expensive HVAC repair bills in the future, and improve the efficiency of your system so you save on your monthly power bills.
Benefits of Regular HVAC Maintenance
One of the most significant benefits of a well-maintained HVAC system is improved efficiency. It is, unfortunately, an immutable fact of life that running a machine will make its parts wear down. A furnace or air conditioner is kind of like a car – the more miles you put on it, the more worn-down the parts become. As these internal parts collect wear and tear, they become less effective, forcing the unit to work harder to make up for its reduced efficiency. That means higher electric bills for you, especially since a harder-working HVAC unit will just continue to wear down its parts faster and faster, ultimately shortening its lifespan.
The best way to avoid wear and tear is with regular maintenance appointments with your HVAC contractor or technician. The technician will make a full inspection of your HVAC units, checking every part to make sure there’s no damage and recommending fixes for any future trouble spots. Not only does this process keep your system in tip-top shape, but it also helps you avoid expensive furnace or air conditioner repair bills by catching small problems before they become big ones. These appointments also include a full cleaning of your HVAC units to get rid of any bacteria or contaminants and improve your indoor air quality. We highly recommend getting every part of your system serviced once a year, in the early autumn for your heating system and early spring for cooling.
DIY Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
Maintenance doesn’t just begin and end with your yearly service appointments. There are plenty of simple things you can do throughout the year to make sure your HVAC system is always running as smoothly as possible.
The easiest and most important thing you can do for your heating and cooling system is to stay on top of your air filters. All types of HVAC systems have air filters to keep dust and other debris out of the air you breathe, and those filters need to be cleaned or replaced periodically. Otherwise, they can get clogged and reduce the airflow through your ducts, reducing the efficiency of your system. There’s no universal schedule for air filter replacement since it depends on the type of unit, the specifics of the filter, and the climate where you live. We recommend reading the instructions that come with the air filter or consulting with your HVAC technician to figure out the best schedule for you.
Another simple maintenance task you can do yourself is keeping your outdoor units clean. If you have a split-system air conditioner or heat pump, just grab a hose and spray down the outdoor unit periodically to clear away dust, leaves, and anything else that gets caught in the coils inside. Doing this once a year or so can make a big difference.
Finally, just pay attention to your HVAC units when you have them running. Strange noises are often one of the first early warning signs that something is wrong inside the unit, and catching problems early can save you a ton of money on future air conditioner or furnace repair bills. It can also extend the lifespan of your units, saving you from having to pay for an expensive furnace or AC replacement.
While you can do all these things and more to maintain your HVAC system by yourself, we still recommend getting professional tune-ups regularly. A fully licensed and certified HVAC professional has years of experience and knowledge they can use to spot things that aren’t obvious to the untrained eye. They also have complicated and expensive tools that they can use to perform maintenance tasks that we wouldn’t recommend trying on your own, like cycling and refilling the refrigerant in an air conditioner or heat pump. Besides, there’s nothing better than the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have a knowledgeable professional taking care of your system.
Seasonal HVAC Maintenance Checklist
Here’s a quick rundown of the basic maintenance tasks that your HVAC technician will run through during a tune-up. You can do some of these tasks yourself if you have experience with mechanical and electrical systems, while others are definitely best left to professionals.
Spring/Summer
● Clean or replace filters – we recommend staying on top of this one yourself throughout the season
● Clean condenser and evaporator coils – be warned, the coils are very delicate
● Clean drain lines and pans
● Replace worn pulleys and belts
● Inspect ducts for mold, mildew, and debris
● Observe humidity and adjust settings accordingly
● Check refrigerant levels and cycle – we highly recommend leaving all refrigerant-related work to the professionals, as the chemicals can be hazardous
● Test thermostats and controls
● Check electrical system and connections – leave electrical work to us unless you have plenty of experience and confidence
● Check fan motor, blades, and blower
● Lubricate moving parts
● Inspect cabinet for leaks
● Clean debris around outside unit
Autumn/Winter
● Clean or replace filters
● Inspect ignition burner and assembly
● Examine heat exchanger or heating element
● Inspect flue for obstructions – this is something you can do yourself throughout the winter
● Inspect for gas leaks – this is very important and we recommend letting a professional handle it so carbon monoxide doesn’t leak into your home
● Assess gas pressure
● Check pulleys and belts
● Clear drain lines and pans
● Check electrical connections – again, be very careful if doing this yourself as electricity can be deadly
● Lubricate moving parts
● Check fan and blower operation
● Check thermostats and controls
● Examine ductwork and vents
A solid mix of DIY maintenance and professional tune-ups is the best way to make sure your HVAC system runs smoothly and efficiently for years to come. The most important things you can do yourself are checking the filters, cleaning outside units, and paying attention to early warning signs – unless you’re an extreme DIYer, everything else can be left to the professionals.
If you’re looking for reliable HVAC service in Napa, Sonoma, Marin, or Lakes Counties, then Next Day Air & Heating is here for you. We offer multiple layers of maintenance programs and would love to help keep your system running and operating like the day it was installed. Contact us today through our website here or by giving us a call at (707) 281-2665.
