It is a yearly ritual — switching your control system or thermostat to ‘cool’ from ‘heat,’ or to ‘heat’ from ‘cool’! Your indoor cooling and heating requirements change, in line with the seasons. You need to know that you have a fully functional HVAC system that is prepared for these changes. Nobody wants to have to call out an engineer on the year’s hottest or coldest weekend!
The Benefits of Arranging PreSeason Maintenance
An HVAC system strives to achieve your preferred indoor temperature! Making the temperature inside your house comfortable requires a precise balance between airflow, mechanics, and equipment. Correct HVAC maintenance will help to achieve this balance, in spite of the system’s constant stopping and starting, and operation on demand.
Preseason preventive HVAC maintenance might safeguard against unforeseen failures and increase the lifespan of your system. Advance inspections might reveal rust, leaks, soot, rot, eroded electrical contacts, and frayed wires on your heat pump or air conditioner. All of these problems can escalate rapidly, if not treated.
Also, correct maintenance might keep your unit operating at its’ optimum level of performance. “Good maintenance can lower HVAC energy expenses by five to forty percent, based on the equipment or system involved,” says Rob from Heatwave Heating & Air Conditioning.
When Should PreSeason Maintenance be Scheduled?
HVAC vendors can become extremely busy, once cold, severe weather conditions take hold, and when the summer heat arrives. This is why it is sensible to arrange preseason maintenance before these hectic periods. Lots of vendors provide preseason discounts on maintenance packages during slower periods, generally in the fall and spring based on the area.
What HVAC PreSeason Maintenance Includes
There’s no standard list of inclusions for HVAC seasonal ‘tune-ups,’ so work might vary from one engineer to the next. Preseason discounts might not feature all the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance. Consequently, it is vital to realize what maintenance your unit will receive, and the full price of the job.
Based on the deal, your HVAC engineer might carry out a comprehensive system inspection, including the cleaning of components and parts. Make sure that you always check what your seasonal maintenance deal includes!
HVAC system maintenance might include, but isn’t restricted to:
- Checking functional temperatures
- Examining the system controls
- Ensuring that all electrical connections are tightened
- Lubricating moving components
- Examining and cleaning the coils
- Replacing or cleaning the filters
- Replacing worn components
- Examining the pressures and refrigerant
- Cleaning and examining the blowers and fans
- Examining the pipes for cracks or leaks
- Inspecting the ignition switch
- Cleaning and examining the gas burners
- Cleaning and examining the flue
- Examining the heat exchanger
- Examining the system controls
Do not Overlook a Sitting Duct.
Ducts are a key element of your HVAC unit and should not be overlooked. The DOE (US Energy Department) reports that an average American house loses twenty to thirty percent of air from the duct system, because of holes, leaks, and ducts that are not properly connected. This can compromise your comfort indoors and increase the amount of energy you use. While it might not be featured in a preseason maintenance package, a certified professional engineer can give your ductwork a thorough inspection.
During the last ten years, advancements in filtration technology have improved the performance of residential air filters considerably. Notwithstanding, dust might still find a way into your property’s ducts. Should you be worried about the quality of your air indoors, filthy ductwork could be responsible. Once your ductwork has been inspected, your engineer might recommend that your ducts are cleaned or sealed. Alternatively, he might recommend some specialized accessories that are designed to enhance the quality of indoor air.