Avoid these 3 HVAC System Maintenance Mistakes
Ah, the New Year! It's a time of renewal and resolve. Maybe someone has decided to get more organized or to finally lose that weight. If that person is also a homeowner, they would be well-served to add certain heating and cooling system maintenance checks to their list of New Year's resolutions. By avoiding the common blunders listed below, a homeowner can save money, preserve the life of their central air conditioning and central heating, and be more comfortable in their home.
Forgetting Air Filter Replacement
One of the top mistakes in HVAC care is not changing the filters. Since they protect the inner workings of the heating and cooling units and keep outside pollutants out of the home, this detritus they collect is trapped in the filters themselves. As these foreign particles build up, they inhibit the airflow, which can cause many problems for the system itself.
- Poor indoor air quality
- Restricted airflow
- Inefficient heating/cooling
- Inconsistent temperatures.
- High energy bills
One should replace air filters at least once or twice a year.
Trapping Air by Closing Vents
- CO Danger: Carbon monoxide can collect in the home if the air does not flow as it should. Usually, the pressure imbalance causes damage to the heat exchanger, which can cause leaks.
- Duct Leaks: The pressure from shut registers can cause breakage in the ducts, leading to leaks and inefficient heating and cooling.
- Frozen Coils: The cooling system can be adversely affected by the imbalance of airflow, and the cooling coils may freeze over.
- System Overheat: As with the air conditioning, when the heating system cannot push and pull the proper amount of air, it will not be able to maintain a safe inner temperature.
If a homeowner is trying to save energy with their vents, closing them partially should help the system be more efficient and prevent disastrous damage.
Neglecting the Need for Maintenance Checks
Any time the seasons change and a home switches from heating to cooling or vice versa, an HVAC professional should come out to look at the system. Essentially this should be a biannual procedure.
When the proper maintenance is not done, problems are often not caught until something completely stops working, or damage is done that requires an HVAC professional's significant effort and cost to fix. Instead of needing to call for AC repair or heater repair, a customer can set up a maintenance schedule, and they will know ahead of time if there is a need to repair or replace a part.
About Air Now
Call Air Now of Sarasota, FL for same-day service and 24-hour emergency service for all HVAC installations and repairs. With green technology and reasonable prices, they are ready to serve their customers without the extra overtime fees.
