Best Practices for Maintaining Your HVAC System
HVAC units are relatively low maintenance machines, but they do require some upkeep. Even more importantly, some common methods of maintaining your HVAC system are not always done correctly. There are a few best practices for maintaining your HVAC system to extend its life, as well as improve its energy efficiency.
Change Air Filters Twice A Year
It is important to change your HVAC filters at least twice a year to maintain good air quality in the home. The dirtier your filter is, the more the fan will need to work on your unit, leading to wear and tear. You do not want to be breathing in dirty air with mold in your house. The harder the fan needs to work means that your energy bills are more likely to rise as well. The professionals at Filter Buy say condensation from the summer months freezes in winter, which can be the cause of lack of airflow coming out from your vents. To get a better picture of what this can do to your HVAC system, you can read more here about how this can actually damage the components of your HVAC. Your system may not even be able to produce an adequate level of heat for the home.
Check the Area Near the Air Intake
Every 6 months you should check out the area near the air intake on your air conditioning unit. Any condensation that has pooled can lead to mold growth, and this can be sucked in if it’s close to the air intake. Look out for any pools of water that are near the area and clean it adequately. You should be checking this out at the start of the spring/summer season, and the fall, when mold spores are likely to be growing due to the damp conditions. Even if you can’t see any mold, it’s worth cleaning up any still water so it doesn’t have the chance to grow.
Ensure There Is Two Feet Clearance
In order to prevent the build up of mold and bacterial residue, as well as creating better air flow, always maintain two feet clearance around the HVAC unit. Clean up any junk, or outdoor clippings from around the unit daily. Blocking air intake can lead to higher energy bills. If you are mowing your lawn, make sure you’re not sending grass towards the HVAC unit so that none of the clippings will get caught inside.
Schedule Routine Inspections
Many people do not believe that they need to schedule routine inspections on their air conditioning unit, and this is completely false. Routine inspections also involve maintenance and can help extend the life of the HVAC system. They will flush coils, check for faulty wiring and ensure your furnace is running effectively. This can lead to reduced energy costs, improved air flow, and the peace of mind knowing that your equipment is running soundly. They will also test for important criteria such as leakage of refrigerant coolant.
Inspect Evaporator Coils Yearly
Even if you’re changing your air filters twice a year, sometimes evaporator coils can build up an insulating layer of dirt. This dirt can compromise the coil’s ability to absorb heat properly and will raise your energy costs. Having yard junk, or foliage around your air conditioning unit will increase the likelihood of this happening. Inspect your evaporator coils and clean them when it’s necessary, this will also prevent dirt from transferring to other areas of your unit and improve energy efficiency.
Cover The System For The Winter (Properly)
When you’re covering your unit for the winter you want to do it properly so you can avoid developing any complications. Make sure you are using a breathable material for the unit. You also want to ensure that snow does not build up excessively around the unit, as frost can damage the fan blades. It’s not a bad idea to build a small shelter to protect the system from the elements. A properly placed shelter has the added advantage of stopping too much sunlight from hitting your unit, which can make it difficult to release heat.
Make sure you purchase approved quality air filters for your HVAC unit to prevent breathing in dirty air, and increased energy costs. Keep the air intake area as clean as possible for the same reasons. Do not grow any shrubbery too close to the unit so plant based debris does not build up on it. Have your unit routinely inspected by professionals like HVAC repair Las Vegas who can ensure it is functioning properly. Waiting until there is an issue may be too late, and may cost you more money in the long run.
Don’t purchase any plastic material covers for your HVAC unit, this should be a red flag, they require a breathable cover. Adhering to these best practices will ensure that your machine is running for its lifetime, and isn’t costing you an arm and a leg on energy bills.
