Key Ideas
- The benefits of regular HVAC maintenance include consistent operation, efficiency, and longevity.
- Replacing the air filter is a maintenance task homeowners can handle on their own.
- Safety checks for the air ducts and electrical connections help you find and fix any issues before system components are damaged.
- Always hire a licensed technician to service your HVAC system to prevent voiding your warranty.
Be honest: Can you remember the last time you did any cleaning or checking in on your HVAC units? You may be thankful for your heating and cooling this past year, but without proper care, that system may not make it through the next. Taking care of your indoor and outdoor units isn’t particularly exciting, but it is necessary. Whether you have a heat pump and air handler setup or the traditional air conditioner and furnace combo, regular checkups of any major appliance is worth it.
Routine basic central air maintenance keeps you from emergency HVAC maintenance. The best time for HVAC maintenance is before the season of heavy use. This means that you should check on your furnace in autumn, your AC in spring, and your heat pump at those same times. If you can't set aside two times each year to test your system, find a local technician who can. Having a licensed professional clean and examine your units once or twice a year is much more affordable than paying for a fix in a rush. Big disasters are expensive. Don’t start the New Year on the wrong foot by having to replace a dead HVAC system! If you haven’t kept up with your HVAC units so far, there’s no time like the present to make that change.
What Does HVAC Maintenance Include?
You don’t have to guess at what HVAC maintenance includes! This HVAC unit maintenance checklist gives you the tips and tricks you need to be confident in your climate control next year:
- Air Filters
- Central Air Ducts
- Electrical Connections
- Visual Inspections
Clean Out or Change the Air Filter
Checking your air filter monthly is the easiest servicing task on this list. Air filter monitoring and maintenance is one of the most important central air maintenance tasks you can do. That way, you can clean or replace the filter when it's dirty and clogged before it leads to further complications in your system. If you need a new filter, don’t stress! IWAE has a great range of air filters for sale to make getting your replacement a breeze.
Are you a chronic overachiever? You can take this a step further with a couple of extra checks:
- Clean out the spot where the filter goes.
- Examine the area around your outdoor unit for debris.
- Use a shop vac or hose to keep those areas free from dust, dirt, or weeds. These types of debris can become tangled in your system and cause havoc.
Check Out the Central Air Ducts in Your Home
The next step in your HVAC maintenance checklist is to examine the air ducts for damage, leaks, or debris. Vacuum around the ducts, reaching the hose as far down as it can reach to minimize the amount of dust and other particles within your system.
Check Electrical Connections in HVAC Units
Wires can wear out and fray over time in any electronic hardware. The connections can break or become loose. You don’t have to be a certified electrician to review the connections visually. If you find anything of concern, it’s time to contact a professional to handle the repairs. A cursory visual inspection can save you a lot of time and effort down the road if any issues arise.
Perform Visual HVAC Inspections
Speaking of visual inspections, even a novice can spot or hear a problem in an HVAC system. Most homeowners can’t fix a complicated HVAC problem, but that doesn't mean you should do nothing. A phone call to an HVAC specialist for a quick checkup could be the difference between a routine repair and costly long term damage to your HVAC unit. When inspecting your HVAC unit, make note of any of the following:
- Bends or cracks in the coils
- Water leaks or ice buildup
- Rattles or other unexpected sounds
Consider the Season
Did you know your central air maintenance needs will change depending on the season? In the summer, you’ll need to watch out for weeds growing around the outdoor unit. As fall settles in, debris such as leaves and branches can restrict airflow or enter the system and cause problems. Air conditioner condensers often have covers that protect them in the off-season. This helps mitigate winter hazards such as ice forming in thick layers on your outdoor unit.
Technical Central Air Maintenance
HVAC units have many parts and connections that wear out over time (just like any complex electronics). Identifying any components that aren’t performing as expected early is the best way to maximize the health of your system over time. After all, nobody wants to be stuck waiting for the repairman when the heat won’t turn on in a blizzard or the AC gives out during summer.
We always recommend having a professional perform most central air maintenance tasks. Their knowledge and experience are why most warranties forbid amateurs from servicing the system.
Just because you can’t tackle these maintenance tasks yourself doesn’t mean you should feel uncomfortable talking with your tech! It’s your system, so you’re responsible for making sure you choose someone who will do the job right. Common hardware that your technician should check when handling HVAC maintenance and cleaning includes:
- Belts & pulleys
- Fans & blowers
- Drain lines
- Refrigerant lines
Belts & Pulleys
Belts and pulleys are the workhorses of your system. A good technician will inspect all your system's components. If they're worn or frayed, your technician will change them out. We definitely don't suggest you try cutting out the middle man and tackling this yourself: leave it to the trained professionals.
Fans & Blowers
The state of the fan and blower motor is another piece your technician should check out while cleaning and servicing your HVAC system. Excessive dust and other noticeable issues like lack of lubrication on the motors and bearings, or problems with the ignition and burner assembly are all things that can be easily handled by a professional. The blower may also need to be realigned to smooth out operation and mitigate excessive noise during regular use.
Don’t stress if the damage has been done, IWAE has replacement fans or blowers to get your system running again!
Drain Lines
Clean drain lines and drain pans are essential for efficient, long-term operation. Condensate drains can become clogged and lead to restricted water flow, causing a drain pan to back up. This issue can cause the drain pan to overflow, the stagnant water becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and mold growth. Water damage and increased humidity inside your home are avoidable problems if you identify a clogged condensate drain and get it fixed ASAP.
Refrigerant Lines
The last stop on the servicing train should be the AC refrigerant lines. These are typically two copper lines that run to the outdoor condenser. This particular duty may be avoided during winter, depending on where you live, as the technician will want to test if the line feels cold while the AC runs to verify there is enough refrigerant. If refrigerant levels are low, your HVAC unit could burn out, especially during the peak of summer when it’s running continuously. Be sure you get your technician to test the refrigerant levels before summer heat is in full swing.
Sometimes the best you can do is a replacement, but don’t fret! IWAE offers copper line sets that can keep your system running as expected when the need arises.
Consider When It’s Time to Upgrade Your HVAC System
Does your condenser break down every year no matter what you do? Has the performance from your furnace or air handler fallen off? If regular central air maintenance just isn't doing the job, it may be time to consider a new system. No one wants to spend their hard earned money on a new install if it can be avoided, but there comes a point where enough is enough. When endless repairs are burning a hole in your wallet, buying a brand new central air system will save you money in the long run! Well, as long as you keep up proper maintenance on that new system.
Struggling to justify the price tag of a new system? IWAE’s heating & AC outlet offers unused systems that get marked down for purely cosmetic imperfections. Our guide to IWAE’s scratch & dent HVAC units can help you find a great new system for your home at a fraction of the cost.
Maintain Your HVAC with IWAE
HVAC maintenance doesn’t have to be a scary subject. You’ll want to call in a professional for more intensive servicing, but you can do some DIY HVAC maintenance yourself! IWAE won’t leave you high and dry, regardless of whether you need a new part or a whole new system. Between pay over time options with Bread Pay and a customer service team that’s always available to help you determine your needs, there’s no reason to wait. As long as it’s still running, it’s not too late to optimize the health of your HVAC system.
