One of the most inconvenient things that can take place in your home on a hot summer day is to wake up and realize that your HVAC has gone out. If it is simply blowing hot air, or the unit will not turn on at all, it can turn a regular summer day into an outright sauna inside your house, leaving everyone in a bad mood and starting the day off on the wrong foot.
Information Regarding HVAC System Routine Maintenance
Many HVAC companies sell what is known as a system maintenance or preventative maintenance plan for heating and cooling equipment. Ask your technician with Excel Services at the time of installation about their preventative maintenance packages. These packages may seem like just unnecessary add-ons when you buy your equipment, but that is not the case. They are particularly important for keeping your unit running smoothly.
Preventative Maintenance Is Key for Your Equipment
When your technician performs the parts lubrication, he is not just adding lubricant. He is also inspecting the parts and feeling around for minute damage that may be difficult to see with the naked eye. He will also ensure that all of the parts casings are undamaged and that everything seems like it is still fit snug inside the unit. Belts as well as pulleys may need to be changed because of rapid wear.
A certified HVAC technician can typically diagnose issues with the unit by both sounds and smells. If something smells like it is burning, for example, there may be a lack of lubricant. If something sounds as though it is grinding, that may indicate the same issue. Although there are many ways to diagnose an HVAC issue, you certainly want a certified technician to be the one troubleshooting any problems you may have.
In addition, your system’s filters (https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/central-air-conditioning) are part of the system that is known as replaceable parts. They are designed to work for a period of time, then need to be swapped for new ones to continue doing their job. They are not designed to work forever and must be changed on a regular basis to prevent system failure later down the road.
They also will usually step into your home to see if any smells are coming from your AC vents that do not line up with proper HVAC care. A bad smell from the AC system is a symptom of a bigger problem. If it smells wet or moldy, that is a big sign that something is not right, and you should have a technician look at the system.
Part of owning a home is taking the time to learn about maintaining your air conditioning, heating, and ventilation system. First, you should be aware that doing periodic maintenance might ultimately result in financial savings.
These are just twice-yearly maintenance items that help keep your equipment in good shape, but they also can save you a great deal of money on repairs. If the equipment is damaged due to lack of maintenance, those costly repairs most of the time could have been avoided by performing routine maintenance as they should have been.
You will Save Money in The Long Run with A Regular Maintenance Plan
Also, your utility bill will thank you for the routine maintenance being performed. A unit that is lagging or has clogged filters requires more running time, and that requires more electricity. It really does add up. You will save money overall by keeping the unit in good condition.
Many HVAC companies allow you to schedule your service many months in advance. This way, if you are taking a vacation, or you will have kids out of school at that time of year, you can plan the maintenance for a time frame that is best suited to you and your family, and not have to interrupt anything of great importance to be at home with the HVAC technician.
You can also request a quote from the technician for any issues that they identify as needing repairs, and any parts that may need to be replaced. Usually, your HVAC company would try to offer you a great price, especially if you purchased your unit from them because they want to ensure that the equipment they sell and maintain is in great working condition.
A lot of HVAC companies work off of referrals. Your unit running right all year long is a great testimonial for their business.
What are the requirements for a cooling, heating, and ventilation system?
Use a certified HVAC company to perform work on your system. Because of some of the legal requirements for refrigerants, it is not recommended that unlicensed individuals work with them. Stay safe and keep your unit healthy for your home by using a certified company with qualified techs.
Technicians often use a maintenance checklist to ensure that they do not miss any of the fundamental items of preventative maintenance care. There are lots of visually inspected items, and it usually takes a trained eye to catch some of the smaller problems that can develop with an AC unit.
Be certain that any repairs that have to be performed are done by a certified technician. Your HVAC company is going to have someone who can handle anything that needs to be done on your system. It is what they are in business to do. Simply ask them if you have questions about your unit and anything happening with it.