As a homeowner there are certain maintenance tasks you can do on your own and others that will likely require the help of a skilled contractor. Most HVAC maintenance tasks likely fall into the latter category, but there are a few things you can do to keep your system functioning properly.
WHY IS HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONING MAINTENANCE SO IMPORTANT?
- You'll save money on more efficient heating and cooling, reducing energy usage and utility bills
- Seasonal maintenance checks ensure issues are caught early and repaired properly before they lead to more severe problems
- Regularly scheduled maintenance helps prolong the life of your HVAC system, meaning more time between expensive replacements
- Maybe most importantly a properly maintained system heats and cools optimally, keeping your family comfortable year-round without poor performance or frequent breakdowns
Your air conditioner, furnace or heat pump is likely the most expensive appliance attached to your home. These systems make it comfortable to be at home, the place where you and your family are likely spending the vast majority of your time. Scheduled maintenance is a lot more affordable than a service call and saves your family a lot of hassle and discomfort.
REPLACING YOUR AIR FILTERS
One thing most homeowners don't need professional assistance with is also a task that is most commonly neglected – changing air filters. How frequently you change your filter should depend on your household's health, how much you run your unit and the types of filters you buy. Lower end filters may need to be replaced every month, while higher end filters will last two or three months. If someone in your household has allergies or a breathing issue you may want to replace filters more frequently.
REMOVING OBSTRUCTIONS FROM THE UNIT
If you have a heat pump or air conditioning unit outside your home it could become obstructed by debris, such as leaves or shrubs. Blockages around the unit can prevent it from functioning efficiently. You should ideally have about a two-foot radius of clear area around your outdoor unit to make sure it's operating properly. This may involve trimming back shrubs occasionally or just cleaning the area out.
CHECK THE CONDENSATE DRAIN LINE
Air conditioners, especially on a humid day in Maryland, will pull a lot of moisture out of the air in your home. That moisture eventually drains out of the unit from a condensate line outside your home. These lines frequently get clogged, which could result in the condensate pan in your unit overflowing or the system freezing up. Cleaning the condensate drain line is fairly easy for most homeowners and usually just requires detaching the line and cleaning it with bleach or vinegar to wash out sediment, algae or mold that could be growing in there.
REPLACING BATTERIES IN THERMOSTATS
Not all thermostats still utilize batteries, but some do. If your thermostat goes down your air conditioning isn't going to work. If your AC isn't running the first thing you should probably do is check the batteries in the thermostat if the power isn't hardwired.
WHAT DOES PROFESSIONAL AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATER MAINTENANCE ENTAIL?
As one of the higher maintenance home appliances, most manufacturers and contractors recommend maintenance before the heating and cooling seasons start each year. Some warranties may even be dependent on regular maintenance. An HVAC maintenance technician will usually:
- Replace filters
- Clean evaporator coils and condensers
- Ensure condensate drain line is clear
- Check for worn pulleys or belts
- Check for mold or debris in the system
- Check refrigerant charge
- Lubricate moving parts
- And more
GET THE BENEFITS OF PLUMBING SERVICES WITH YOUR HVAC MAINTENANCE PROTECTION
As a full-service home comfort company, Vito Services employs certified plumbing technicians and HVAC technicians. Our service membership perks apply to both types of service. Members of our Service Club enjoy:
- 15% discount on HVAC and plumbing services
- Thorough tune-ups using our detailed maintenance checklist
- Membership transferable to a new owner if you sell your home or to your new home if you want to keep it
- Scheduling reminders
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
Estimates suggest properly maintained HVAC systems break down up to 95 percent less than those that are never maintained and save homeowners up to 30 percent on their utility bills.
One of the big perks of HVAC maintenance plans are catching issues early, preventing breakdowns or more expensive repairs in the future. Plus, as a member of our service club, you'll save 15 percent on repairing any issues our experts do identify.
If you'd like to schedule one-off maintenance in the Rockville, Maryland area or want to learn more about the benefits of Service Club membership, call us at 301-822-9198.
