Chances are winter gave your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system quite the workout.
With summer right around the corner, now is the ideal time to take care of any HVAC maintenance needs and ensure your system is in proper working order.
Data from the 2016 American Home Comfort Study showed 32 percent of HVAC buyers were forced to make emergency purchases due to equipment breakdown. Regular maintenance and professional assistance can help homeowners avoid such a situation.
Dirty air filters should be replaced immediately.Undertaking general maintenance
Replacing filters should be at the top of your HVAC maintenance checklist. Even filters that don’t appear overly dirty can cause your system to work harder to pull in air, resulting in higher utility bills.
It’s doubtful winter led to much plant growth around your exterior condenser, but winter storms may have left debris encroaching on your equipment. Clear away any offending materials to ensure at least 12 inches of space around the coil.
While you’re out there, inspect your system for any signs of damage, such as frozen coils or water leaks.
Other items that require examination, both in and outside your home, include:
- Ductwork.
- Electrical components.
- Base pans.
- Compressor and tubing.
- Fan motor and blades.
You may be more focused on keeping your home cool moving forward, but it’s also imperative to check on your furnace. Taking care of any problems now will ultimately save you money when winter returns.
Check the flame of your furnace to ensure it’s blue. Wavy orange or yellow flames mean you need the help of a technician. You should also check your flue system, inspect for gas leaks, and examine exhaust outlets, fuel lines, burners and heat exchangers. Signs of corrosion, leaks, soot buildup or faulty connections should be handled by a professional as soon as possible.
Investing in professional help
While standard upkeep and visual inspections will help you enhance the performance and longevity of your HVAC system, it’s essential to have your system routinely serviced by a professional.
SMO Energy encourages annual maintenance checks from our North American Technician Excellence-certified professionals to identify and inform you of any HVAC issues. In addition to preventing costly repairs due to unresolved problems, technician checks help you ensure your equipment is performing at peak efficiency, translating to savings on utility bills.
With the dog days of summer approaching fast, now’s the time to make sure your equipment is up to the task.