HVAC Maintenance: Keeping Your System Running Smoothly

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With summer in full swing, your HVAC system is more important than ever. As temperatures climb outside, the last thing you want is for your air conditioning to falter or fail, especially if you can prevent issues with regular HVAC maintenance.

Do you need to call a professional? How do you know when it’s time to clean your HVAC units? How do you know that you’ve cleaned them properly? Let’s go over the answers to these questions and more below.

DIY Routine HVAC Maintenance

Your HVAC system might look complicated, but you should perform routine preventative maintenance to extend the lifespan of your HVAC equipment and prevent system outages a technician isn't necessary for. Good news – all of these routine HVAC maintenance steps don't need expensive equipment or tools.

Perform Visual Inspections

First, locate your HVAC units and vents. For instance, most in-home HVAC systems have large vents that they use to take in warm or cool air based on what they are trying to do (heat or cool off your home). There’s a replaceable filter behind those vents, so make sure you have a screwdriver handy that you can use to remove the vent and switch out the filter from time to time.

You should also head outside and take a look at your exterior HVAC unit. If you notice physical damage to the unit or debris built up from sticks, leaves, and other gunk, it's a good sign you need to clean your exterior unit or have a technician take a look, depending on the extent of the problem.

In both of these cases, visually inspecting your HVAC system will help you catch issues before they develop and become worse with time.

Change the Air Filter

Your HVAC system’s air filter is critical. It prevents dust and hair from getting into the ducts and affecting the rest of the system. Over time, however, the air filter can be clogged with debris, especially if you have one or more pets in your house.

To prevent your HVAC system from faltering, change out your air filter at least once per year. Replacement HVAC filters in the right size for your system can often be found at home improvement stores. All you have to do is remove the old filter, slide the new one into place behind your HVAC vent, and close the vent cover.

Clean the Area Around an HVAC Unit

It’s also a wise idea to clean the area around exterior HVAC units. Take a brush and clear away any leaves or dirt that might have accumulated there over time; this debris can obstruct the airflow in your HVAC system if it is left to sit there. You shouldn't need to perform this kind of air conditioning cleaning very often, though it won't hurt to examine your HVAC unit about once per season.

Check Batteries in the Thermostat and Carbon Monoxide Detector

HVAC stands for “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.” Therefore, your home’s HVAC system can include elements beyond the unit and ductwork, like a thermostat and carbon monoxide detector.

Thermostats direct your HVAC system to operate at the temperature you want. At least once per year, check the batteries and make sure they are still in working condition. Your thermostat’s battery should be replaced about once per year unless your thermostat unit has a much longer battery lifespan.

Whether an integrated part of your HVAC system or a separately installed monitor, carbon monoxide detectors are a necessary tool to keep you and your family safe from dangerous gas leaks or carbon monoxide buildups. Your carbon monoxide detector could last from six months to seven years, depending on the type. Read and follow the instructions for your specific model, but you should also consider testing it regularly just in case the batteries or some other component doesn’t function properly.

Monitor Your Energy Bills

One of the easiest ways you can keep track of the health of your HVAC system is to simply monitor your energy bills each month. If you notice that your utility bill has dramatically increased over the last few weeks, it's a sure-fire sign that your home's HVAC system is struggling. Armed with this information, you can visually inspect your HVAC unit(s) or vents and call a professional if necessary.

Call a Professional for Complicated Air Conditioning Maintenance

Though you can take several key steps to maintain the health of your HVAC system, some things should only be tackled by a professional. Contracted HVAC inspectors and service technicians can:

• Diagnose rare or strange problems with your HVAC equipment
• Check the refrigerant levels of your HVAC units
• Perform more sensitive or in-depth cleaning, like cleaning the condenser or evaporator coils
• Inspect and fix electrical wiring, fans, and capacitors
• Check your home’s gas lines
• Repair damaged ductwork
• Inspect and change your thermostat unit if it is broken

In general, you should call an HVAC technician if you are unable to figure out what's wrong with your HVAC equipment or if your preventative maintenance doesn't help with rising energy costs or lowered HVAC system performance. The sooner you get the problem fixed, whatever it might be, the better.

HVAC Maintenance Can Make Your New Home More Comfortable

Regular HVAC maintenance and checkups can make your new home more comfortable from the first day you move in. In addition, regular maintenance will go a long way toward extending the lifespan of your HVAC equipment, so you won't need to replace it nearly as often. Combined with reduced energy bills, each HVAC maintenance will save you a lot of money and make each summer and winter more enjoyable.

Find a new-to-you home with a great HVAC system today

Moving into a property with a well-functioning HVAC system is essential for your comfort. When you choose a home with reliable HVAC equipment, you can enjoy a pleasant environment no matter the weather outside.

You deserve a property that offers all the features you desire, including an efficient HVAC system and energy savings. At 21st Mortgage, we’re here to help you secure the financing you need to step into the mobile or manufactured home of your dreams. Get in touch with one of our loan officers today to explore your financing options!