Best practices for HVAC maintenance

Maintaining your HVAC system is key to ensuring comfortable home temperatures throughout the seasonal changes. Routine maintenance also offers lower utility expenses and a longer lifetime for your system.

Depending on the type of HVAC system you own, according to the Institute for Building Efficiency, proper maintenance can reduce its energy cost by anywhere from 5 to 40 percent. Save yourself money in the long run by taking advantage of these best practices for the care of your HVAC system.

Best Practices

Use Quality Filters and Replace Them Regularly

Filters are the most important part of your HVAC system in terms of maintaining the unit and extending its lifespan. There are a variety of filters out there, but the best type of filters to use are pleated or synthetic fiber filters. While they may cost a little more, they make a difference in terms of indoor air quality and can catch smaller particles than traditional throwaway filters. When deciding on filters to purchase, look at the MERV ratings. The higher the rating, the more efficient the filter is considered.

HVAC filters should be changed about every 90 days or when they start to clog. You’ll notice when they get clogged with dirt, dust, pollen, and other allergens, because the filters will darken.

Check Your HVAC Unit’s Evaporator Coils

Tending to the evaporator and condenser coils is equally important in maintaining the health of your HVAC system. The evaporator coils are a particularly attractive environment for mold growth, because these coils are nearly always damp. Make sure the evaporator coils stay clean, otherwise bacteria and mold can sneak into your home and create health problems for you and your loved ones. If you need to clean your system to get rid of mold, keep in mind that some cleaning solutions can also cause damage to the metal of the coils.

Protect Your Condenser Coils

The condenser coils of your HVAC system are not protected from the outdoor elements. Dirt and debris can severely damage them if they are not cleaned seasonally. Make sure there is about two feet of space around your HVAC unit from any plants, so vegetation is not blocking the flow of air. If you’re a home warranty customer, you can pay a service call fee and have these coils cleaned during a A/C tune-up.

Monitor Your Blades and Belts

Preventative maintenance also means carefully inspecting less obvious areas, like the fans and belts in your system. Curved fan blades may catch dirt, limiting the flow of air and raising the energy required to operate the system. If your fan motors are running in reverse, causing the blades to spin backwards, you should contact an HVAC system servicing company to have a professional come address any wiring issues that may need to be fixed.

If belts are not adjusted properly, they can contribute to your HVAC system’s shortened lifespan. When they begin to create noise, your fan belts may need to be readjusted or even replaced.

These are some basic preventative maintenance tips for preserving the life of your HVAC system. For recommendations tailored to your unit’s needs, refer to your owner’s manual or manufactures’ advice for your specific make and model of HVAC unit.

HVAC Systems and Home Warranties

It’s important to understand the difference between requiring maintenance and having a home warranty. Maintenance is about routinely cleaning and servicing your systems, which can be done with or without a warranty, while a home warranty provides replacement parts or a replacement for your unit over a specific time frame.

HVAC maintenance under a home warranty contract provides servicing to repair or replace failed parts if your systems has been properly maintained. Be sure to look at your warranty before performing any maintenance on your unit—some warranties are void if homeowners, rather than professionals, perform detailed services to the system. Warranties also provide maintenance through pre-season tune-ups.

We know taking care of your home is a priority for you, and it is a priority for us as well. Consider letting Landmark Home Warranty take the weight off your shoulders. Contact us for custom warranty services that fit your HVAC system’s needs.

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Sources

http://www.bbjenviro.com/resource-article/hvac-maintenance/

http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/heating-cooling/hvac-maintenance/

http://www.institutebe.com/Building-Performance-Management/Studies-Show-HVAC-System-Maintenance-Saves-Energy.aspx

http://www.buildings.com/article-details/articleid/8689/title/maintaining-your-hvac-system.aspx

https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_hvac