Yearly HVAC Maintenance Guidelines
As soon as the air turns chilly, you know it’s time to prepare your home for the cooler months ahead. Your heating system is crucial to maintaining a cozy, warm atmosphere. A well-maintained furnace delivers the comfort you crave while using a reduced amount of energy. Scheduled inspections also make your system less likely to fail and help lengthen its service life. These are just a couple of examples of how annual HVAC maintenance can save you time, money and inconvenience. Here’s what needs to be on your checklist before winter happens.
Set Up HVAC Maintenance
To keep your heating system in top condition, consider arranging furnace maintenance every year. The best time for this is in the fall before contractors become swamped with calls during the busy cold months. Having said that, if you miss that window on the calendar, it’s still advantageous to get furnace maintenance no matter what the season.
Your heating and cooling professional’s HVAC maintenance list should feature the following:
- Look at the thermostat settings: We all desire an efficient HVAC system, and this begins with your thermostat. During a maintenance tune-up, the technician ensures your thermostat is reading the temperature correctly and engaging your furnace at the proper times.
- Tighten the electrical connections: Making sure that all electrical connections are in good working order is vital. Loose wires can lead to a higher electricity draw, potentially reducing the life of your system’s components and creating a safety risk.
- Measure the motor voltage and current: This step allows the technician to decide if the motor is performing within the intended parameters, helping to protect against motor failure and unnecessary energy consumption.
- Lubricate moving components: Friction has a negative effect on energy efficiency. Your expert lubricates all moving parts to minimize resistance, reduce wear and tear, and lower your energy bills.
- Check the condensate drain: AC units, condensing furnaces and whole-house humidifiers send condensate down a drain as they operate. This line should be clear of obstructions to prevent water accumulation and potential home damage. Looking over the drain gives peace of mind that your utility closet won’t flood.
- Test the system controls: This involves ensuring the furnace starts, functions and shuts off according to the manufacturer’s specifications, ensuring safety and security.
- Scrutinize the ignition burner assembly: This part is responsible for igniting the burner. A technician evaluates the assembly to ensure it’s clean and operating effectively.
- Check the heat exchanger: The heat exchanger transfers heating from the fuel to your indoor air. A crack could release carbon monoxide into your home, so detailed examination is an essential step on the HVAC maintenance checklist.
- Clean the burners: In the long run, burners can get covered in dust and debris that impedes performance. A comprehensive cleaning makes sure they work efficiently and safely.
- Check for gas leaks: Checking for leaks is vital with gas heating systems. A leak can be hazardous and should be addressed straight away.
- Analyze the gas pressure: Proper gas pressure is required for optimal furnace performance. Pressure that’s too low or too high can affect system efficiency and the temperature inside your residence.
Routine Furnace Maintenance to Do at Home
Here’s how to keep your heating system working efficiently between professional HVAC maintenance visits:
- Change your air filter: A dirty filter can strain your furnace. Inspect the filter monthly and exchange it when it appears dirty to improve efficiency and extend your system’s life span.
- Look at your thermostat settings: The Department of Energy (DOE) recommends setting your thermostat between 68 and 70 degrees when you’re inside the home and awake in the winter. Then, set the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees while you’re not home or going to be asleep at night to save up to 10% on your heating costs.
- Clean the air registers: Dust accumulation can reduce airflow, so vacuum the grilles on a regular basis to promote good air quality. After that, make sure furniture, rugs and curtains don’t obstruct your return or supply vents to ensure appropriate system balance.
- Reverse the ceiling fan: Set your ceiling fans to spin clockwise during the winter months to push warm air down from the ceiling to where you will enjoy it.
- Seal drafts: Inspect your home for leaky windows and doors. If you find drafts, seal them with caulk and weatherstripping to keep the cold air out and decrease your furnace’s workload.
- Assess your attic insulation level: An attic without enough insulation causes heat loss. Add insulation if it’s needed to keep heat indoors and reduce your energy costs.
Choose Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for HVAC Maintenance in Fort Lauderdale
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to solve your home HVAC needs. We make sure you have peace of mind with our comprehensive HVAC inspections, quick solutions and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our ACE-certified technicians strive to go above and beyond. You can count on Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to make a real difference in your comfort and well-being this winter with furnace maintenance in Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. Phone 954-736-4314 today for help {fortifying your home against|getting your home ready for|preparing your residen