If you want to keep your HVAC running efficiently, it is important to schedule regular maintenance appointments. A well-maintained system will have fewer repairs and will cost you less in energy bills.
An HVAC career is a great choice for people who like to work with their hands and problem-solve. It also requires soft skills like customer service and patience. If you need to talk to a professional, get in touch with Comfort Pro’s Heat And Air experts.
Check The Condenser
Ownership comes with a lot of responsibility, from paying the mortgage to maintaining your home’s systems. The HVAC system is responsible for keeping your home at a comfortable temperature, and it requires regular maintenance to keep functioning properly. This includes a monthly air filter change and quarterly cleaning of the outdoor unit, indoor evaporator coil, and grills. Additionally, you should be watching the thermostat to ensure that it is working correctly. Performing these simple tasks can help you to avoid costly HVAC repair bills in the future.
Another important task that should be included in any routine HVAC maintenance plan is checking the condenser for leaks. Leaks are common problems with HVAC systems, especially if the seals have cracked or broken. These leaks can cause your system to work harder than it should, costing you more money in energy bills. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to check for a refrigerant leak, including using an electronic leak detector or scanning with a black light. These devices will alert you to the presence of a leak, helping you find the source quickly.
If you have a double-tube condenser, your technician may use a special tool called a probe to look for leaks in the inside tubes. The probe looks like a metal wire with a small tip. It is inserted into the end of each tube, and it will make an audible sound when a leak is present. If the probe detects a leak, it will emit a rapid beeping sound that is easily heard over the fan noise of the AC.
In addition to the aforementioned tools, your HVAC service professional will also use a black light and a dye product. These products help to identify leaks around the evaporator coil, compressor front seal, and other areas that are hard to see with the naked eye. They can also help to identify electrical issues with your system, such as overheating or shorting out.
Performing these HVAC maintenance tasks can save you money in the long run, and it will help your system to operate as it is designed. If you’re interested in scheduling an HVAC service, contact someone who provides two precision system tune-ups per year, 15% off all repairs, and priority scheduling for members.
Check The Evaporator
The evaporator coil is another common place for HVAC leaks. It isn’t visible to someone looking at the system and is prone to corrosion and damage over time. It’s also a place where air can pass through and contaminate refrigerant, causing it to lose its effectiveness. A leaking evaporator coil can cause your cooling system to work harder and longer, and it may even run out of refrigerant entirely.
A common sign of a leaking evaporator coil is warm air coming out of your vents when the cooling system is running. You might also notice a sudden increase in your energy bills. If you see these signs, shut off the system and call an HVAC professional.
In addition to examining the evaporator coil, your technician should check the copper lines that connect the indoor and outdoor units. These lines should be free of leaks and corrosion, and they should be ideally positioned for maximum airflow. They should be clear of obstructions like dryer vents, falling leaves, bushes, and grass and should be well away from your home’s exterior walls. Keeping these lines clear reduces friction that causes wear and tear.
A lubrication inspection should also be done. The air that blows through your system carries oil with it to keep moving parts from overheating and burning out. During the lubrication inspection, your technician will look for oil on the evaporator coil, compressor shaft, and any other moving parts that need lubrication.
One final check your HVAC professional should do is a visual inspection of the attic area where the indoor evaporator coil and outdoor condenser coil are located. They should look for oil around the brazed points where the refrigerant lines are attached to both. These points are prone to leaks because of the constant expansion and contraction of the refrigerant lines due to temperature changes.
The aluminum fins on the evaporator coil can get bent over time, blocking airflow and preventing the coil from working properly. Many air conditioning wholesalers sell a tool called a “fin comb” that will straighten these out and restore them to their original condition. You can also help prevent bending by minimizing debris near the coil and trimming foliage back at least 2 feet (0.6 meters).
Check The Thermostat
A thermostat is a crucial part of your heating and cooling system. It reads your home’s temperature and determines when the system should start and stop running. If your thermostat is giving inaccurate readings, it can cause the HVAC system to work harder than necessary, resulting in higher energy bills.
Thermostats can become inaccurate over time due to dust accumulation over the sensor. This can be solved by removing the cover from the thermostat and wiping it down with a damp cloth. However, if your thermostat continues to give inaccurate readings, it may need to be replaced.
An HVAC professional will be able to ensure the accuracy of your thermostat and resolve any issues that may arise. This can include checking for communication issues between the thermostat and your air conditioning or heating unit. In addition, an HVAC professional can clean your thermostat and ensure the sensors are properly positioned and free from any debris that could affect operation.
If you are seeing signs of a faulty thermostat, it is important to take action as soon as possible. The longer you wait to repair your thermostat, the more damage it can do to your system. Additionally, frequent breakdowns will reduce the lifespan of your HVAC system, meaning you will need to replace it sooner than you would like.
A programmable thermostat will allow you to schedule your system to run during times when you are most likely to be at home. This will save you money on energy bills and help your HVAC system last longer. If you have a thermostat that is not programmable, you can still reduce your energy bill by turning off your furnace or air conditioner when you are away from home or sleeping. You should also keep unused rooms closed to prevent the HVAC system from having to work overtime. Additionally, you should check and change the filters regularly to avoid clogs. Finally, you should pour a cup of bleach and water down the air conditioning condensate drain annually to avoid algae and clogs.
Check The Filters
Filters collect the dust, dirt, and debris that circulate throughout the system. Keeping them clean helps keep the system working properly and improves air quality in the home or business. It also helps reduce energy usage by keeping the motor from overworking.
During a regular maintenance visit, an HVAC professional will replace the filters to prevent excessive wear on the system. This is a fairly inexpensive task that can save money on utility bills and prevent costly repairs down the road.
They’ll also check for leaks in the refrigerant line, which is prone to leaking from external factors like corrosion or damage. They’ll evaluate the condition of the coils and fans, and lubricate moving parts. They’ll also re-pressurize the system, and flush the condensate drain lines.
Home inspectors typically inspect and perform preventive HVAC maintenance on a monthly, seasonal, or yearly basis, depending on the specific needs of each property. Performing these tasks regularly helps to save money on utility bills and repair costs, maintains the reliability of the system at its peak performance levels, and provides peace of mind for the home or business owner.
For example, if an HVAC system is experiencing problems with cooling it’s likely because the refrigerant lines are leaking. Home inspectors may pour water down the lines to see if they are clogged, and then recommend that the home or business owner have them cleaned or replaced.
The same is true for other components in an HVAC system that require regular maintenance to function at their best, such as the air ducts and blowers. In addition to helping homeowners save money on energy bills and repairs, regular cleaning and inspections of air ducts can help reduce the number of pests that invade buildings and homes. They can also improve indoor air quality by preventing dust, mold, and other allergens from entering the air.
