Maintenance of an HVAX installation in most premises, include heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Despite various statistics, such as one published by Trend Statistics, it is suggested that timely and proper maintenance can push the life of an HVAC system to over 15 years of service. Approximately over 50% of households have placed HVAC maintenance as a low priority on their budget.
What is HVAC maintenance?
HVAC maintenance is a detailed care process carried out by professional technicians that entail catching problems early in the HVAC system to prevent serious malfunctions in the future. The process is split into two categories; one covering furnace inspection and another covering air conditioning inspection.
Like any other installation, HVAC requires a regular clean up and maintenance to ensure that optimal performance levels are achieved throughout the life cycle of the system.
HVAC maintenance checklist
Furnace inspection (Fall/Winter) checklist
- Filters: These should be replaced every 90 days a year.
- Ignition burners and heat pumps: Low burner and heat pump efficiency raise the cost of running the furnace system.
- Heat exchangers, thermostats, and controls: Damaged heat exchangers can result in problems with carbon monoxide. On the other hand, thermostats and controls need to be calibrated appropriately at all times; hence should be checked for any deviations.
- Wiring and electrical connections: Loose or breaking connections, compromise performance, damage the entire system over time, and risk fires. Hence the need for certified dealers such as Doc’s HVAC to look for damaged writing and electrical connections and replace them immediately.
- Gas supply channels: If the furnace system is fueled by gas, the supply channels should be checked for any leaks as these have not only an impact on efficiency but also risk fire hazards.
- Moving: Moving parts such as belts and pulleys should be lubricated regularly to minimize friction, responsible for wear and tear. If worn out, they should be replaced.
Air conditioning inspection (Spring/Summer) checklist
Some aforementioned components that should be checked during furnace inspection but also feature in air conditioning inspection include:
- Filters.
- Thermostats and their controls.
- Moving parts.
- Heat.
- Wiring and electrical connections.
Other components unique to the Spring/summer checklist include:
- Fan motor, blowers, and blades: These should be checked if they are working correctly to maintain proper airflow.
- The refrigerant: The refrigerant should be inspected for any leaks.
- Debris, mold, and standing waters: The presence of debris, mold, and standing water is a common issue facing HVAC installations. Thus, the entire system should be regularly cleared of any debris, mold, or standing water.
Advantages of HVAC maintenance
- A constant supply of better indoor air quality: The US Environmental Protection Agency reports that indoor air exhibits 2-5 times higher levels of pollutants than outdoor air. Inadequate supply of better quality air can, therefore, serve the occupants of premises with respiratory issues that range from mild to severe. Regular maintenance of your HVAC installation ensures a steady supply of quality air and guarantees the comfort of your surroundings all year round.
- Safety: Proactive HVAC maintenance guards the occupants of your premises against the risk of the deadly odorless carbon monoxide gas. Additionally, it minimizes the risk of the HVAC system encountering breakdowns while you are away, which could severely damage your house.
- HVAC system longevity: Regular maintenance extends the life of an HVAC installation since it ensures that the system is operated at optimum efficiency levels with well-fixed components.
- High energy efficiency hence low energy bills: Proactive maintenance ensures that your HVAC system runs at close to optimum efficiency, consequently wasting less energy in the process. This amounts to low energy bills in the long run.
- Peace of mind from less HVAC emergency repairs: Overly, a constant supply of better indoor air quality, safety, the longevity of your HVAC installation, and low energy bills; all minimize the chances of anything going wrong. Hence peace of mind.
How much does HVAC maintenance cost, and is it worth it?
If you are looking forward to subscribing to an HVAC maintenance plan, one of the most critical factors you will have to consider is the cost associated with the service. Notably, HVAC maintenance costs vary depending on whether you have subscribed to a preventive maintenance plan, a full labor plan, or a full-coverage plan.
Nevertheless, whatever plan you choose, the short answer is that predictable HVAC maintenance plans guarantee few emergency breakdowns, system’s longevity, and low energy expenses. Hence, worth every dime.
