As a homeowner, it’s important to maintain the operation of your HVAC system to ensure you can keep the interior of your home comfortable each season. The appliance is one of the most used features on the property because it’s responsible for maintaining the temperature in the building, whether you’re in the middle of a heatwave or there are freezing temperatures outside. If you want to know how to care for the product, there are a few important tips to follow with this guide.

Change the Filters

When it comes to your HVAC maintenance, it’s important to change the filters every two to three months, depending on how much you use the appliance. Changing the filter is crucial for proper airflow and will prevent the parts from working harder than necessary to heat or cool the home in different types of climates. A dirty air filter can cause you to use more energy than necessary, which can start to increase your electric bill each month. 

Most experts suggest cleaning the filter until you replace it again to prevent it from thawing if it gets too dirty, which can eventually lead to water damage. Using a reusable filter can also be cost-effective and requires gently cleaning it every few months. 

If you have residents in the home who suffer from allergies, consider investing in a HEPA filter that traps more contaminants and particles to improve the air quality in the home. The filter may cost more but will protect your health long-term. 

Schedule an Annual Inspection

Hire a technician to perform a thorough inspection of the HVAC system once each year to determine if any issues are present. The professional will diagnose any problems and will perform the necessary repairs to prevent any issues from escalating over time. During the inspection, the technician will also clean the parts to wipe off dirt, grime, and debris that has accumulated each season.

During the inspection, you can expect the technician to clean the coils, check the fan’s operation, check the refrigerant level, look for leaks in the heat exchanger, and clean the drain lines. By checking the parts to ensure they’re operating, it will prevent costly energy bills and can extend the lifespan of the parts. 

Remove Debris

It’s also important there are at least two feet of clearance around the unit to prevent any items from having contact with the different parts of the appliances. Remove any debris like twigs, pollen, and leaves from the unit to prevent the items from affecting the unit’s operation. 

Clean the Heat Pump

Cleaning the heat pump or condenser is necessary to prevent the unit from working too hard to run each day. You can prevent damage to internal components in the HVAC system with a thorough cleaning. It’s important to hose off the fins with water and remove any gunk that has accumulated in the crevices of the parts.

Proper maintenance also includes cleaning the drain lines to prevent mold and algae from accumulating after removing moisture from the air. You’ll need to remove the outer cover on the air conditioner and use a piece of cloth to thoroughly clean the drain line. Use a mixture of vinegar and water to remove any mold that has accumulated throughout the season due to dust and moisture.

Perform the Necessary Repairs

Many homeowners make the mistake of waiting too long to perform repairs on their HVAC system, which can quickly escalate to more severe issues after a few months. Whether you hear rattling or the system is failing to cool or heat each room in the home. It’s important to perform the necessary repairs with the help of a professional technician. Any minor issues that are present may cost money to fix but will restore the operation of your appliance and keep it in better shape over the years.

Understanding what is required to perform proper maintenance on your HVAC system can allow you to improve its operation to ensure your home is comfortable year-round without the risk of breakdowns. You can increase the unit’s lifespan and keep your energy usage low for adding savings each season.