Annual HVAC Maintenance List
As soon as the air starts to get cold, you know it’s time to prepare your home for the cooler months ahead. Your heating system is crucial to maintaining a cozy, warm setting. A well-maintained furnace supplies the comfort you desire while using a smaller amount of energy. Routine inspections also make your system less likely to fail and help it last years longer. These are just a few examples of how year-end HVAC maintenance can save you time, money and hassle. Here’s what ought to be on your checklist before cold weather happens.
Schedule HVAC Maintenance
To keep your home heating system in peak condition, consider reaching out to a professional HVAC technician to conduct furnace maintenance every year. The best time to schedule this is in the fall before contractors become flooded with calls during the busy cold months. Having said that, if you miss that window on the calendar, it’s still beneficial to conduct furnace maintenance no matter what the season.
Your heating and cooling professional’s HVAC maintenance checklist should contain the following:
- Check the thermostat settings: Everyone wants an efficient HVAC system, and this begins with your thermostat. During a maintenance check, the specialist ensures your thermostat is reading the temperature correctly and engaging your furnace at the proper times.
- Tighten the electrical connections: Making sure that all electrical connections are working correctly is vital. Loose wires can create a higher electricity draw, potentially shortening the life of your system’s components and causing a safety risk.
- Measure the motor voltage and current: This step allows the technician to find out if the motor is working within the intended parameters, helping to prevent motor failure and unnecessary energy consumption.
- Lubricate moving parts: Friction reduces energy efficiency. Your technician lubricates all moving parts to minimize resistance, reduce wear and tear, and bring down your energy bills.
- Check the condensate drain: Air conditioners, condensing furnaces and whole-house humidifiers send condensate down a drain as they operate. This line needs to be clear of obstructions to avoid water accumulation and potential water damage. Inspecting the drain provides peace of mind that your utility closet won’t be damaged.
- Test the system controls: This involves verifying the furnace starts, functions and shuts off according to the manufacturer’s specifications, ensuring safety and reliability.
- Look over the ignition burner assembly: This component is responsible for igniting the burner. A tech evaluates the assembly to ensure it’s clean and operating properly.
- Examine the heat exchanger: The heat exchanger transfers warmth from the fuel to your residence’s air. A crack could introduce carbon monoxide into your dwelling, so thorough examination is an important step on the HVAC maintenance appointment.
- Clean the burners: Over time, burners can accumulate dust and debris that impedes performance. A thorough cleaning assures they operate efficiently and safely.
- Inspect for gas leaks: Searching for leaks is fundamental with gas heating systems. A leak can be deadly and should be addressed immediately.
- Analyze the gas pressure: Ideal gas pressure is required for optimal furnace performance. Pressure that’s too low or too high can upset system efficiency and the temperature inside your residence.
DIY HVAC Maintenance
Here’s how to keep your heating system running smoothly between professional HVAC maintenance appointments:
- Change your air filter: A clogged filter can put stress on your home’s HVAC equipment. Inspect the filter each month and change it when it appears dirty to promote efficiency and extend your system’s life span.
- Look at your thermostat settings: The Department of Energy (DOE) suggests setting your thermostat between 68 and 70 degrees when you’re in your residence and awake in the winter. Then, set the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees while you’re not home or sleeping at night to save up to 10% on your heating costs.
- Clean the air registers: Dust covering your registers can restrict airflow, so vacuum the grilles routinely to promote good air quality. Then, make sure furniture, rugs and curtains don’t block your return or supply vents to ensure correct system balance.
- Reverse the ceiling fan: Set your ceiling fans to spin clockwise during the cooler months to force warm air down from the ceiling closer to the floor.
- Seal drafts: Look for leaky windows and doors. If you find drafts, seal them with caulk and weatherstripping to keep the cold at bay and reduce your furnace’s workload.
- Assess your attic insulation level: An attic without enough insulation causes heat loss. Add insulation where needed to keep heat in the home and cut down on your energy costs.
Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for HVAC Maintenance in the U.S.
Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is happy to take care of your home heating and cooling needs. We ensure peace of mind with our extensive HVAC inspections, speedy solutions and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our ACE-certified technicians are known for the way they go above and beyond. You can rely on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to make a significant difference in your comfort and residential relaxation this winter with furnace maintenance in Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Phone 866-397-3787 today for help {fortifying your home against|getting your home ready for|preparing your residen