Keeping Your Heating and Cooling Systems (HVAC) Running Great

Having your HVAC system checked yearly by a professional is good practice. You can also perform regular maintenance to help keep your heating and cooling system running its best.

Professional maintenance

Having a professional come inspect and perform maintenance on your heating and cooling system should at least be done once a year. Your service professional has the expertise to service parts of the unit that require a better understanding and training to ensure the unit is working its most efficient. Some common services performed are:

• Check refrigerant level, adding more refrigerant if necessary
• Inspect for any electrical issues with the wiring or control panels
• Add lubricant to moving parts such as the fan and motor
• If applicable, replace any worn parts such as fan belts
• Check for any gas leaks in gas units
• Run the system and measure the temperature to ensure correct performance

Maintenance the homeowner can perform

Aside from having a professional service inspection, homeowners can also take steps to maintain their HVAC system.

• Change your air filterIf your air filters are dirty, your system needs to run harder to effectively heat or cool your home. Change your air filter once every 3 months.
• Clear debris from your outdoor units.Leaves, dirt and grass can all accumulate inside your unit, having an adverse effect on it's life span. Keeping the area clean around your heating or cooling unit will help ensure that excess debris does not enter the unit.
• Make sure nothing is blocking the air flowOutdoor patio items and trash cans should be kept away from blocking the air flow of your HVAC unit. A good rule of thumb is to have at least 2.5 feet of cleared area around the 3 sides your unit not closest to your wall.
• Visually inspect your systemTake a look at all your lines entering your house to check for damaged insulation. Damage to insulation leads to heating or cooling loss which results in the system working harder.

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