HVAC
Preventative Maintenance
Introduction:
Your HVAC
(heating, venting and air conditioning) requires
periodic maintenance to insure it is top operating
condition.
In difficult financial times many homeowners
are looking for ways to cut back on their budgets,
and as a result some preventative care for your
HVAC system may have fallen by the wayside.
If you have deliberately ignored HAVC preventative
maintenance you may think you are saving money.
Unfortunately this is an incorrect assumption. When
the hot steaming days of summer come or the cold
winter nights of winter arrive, your cooling and
heating system may crash costing a lot more money
it you had done the preventative maintenance. A DIY
homeowner can do some of the preventative
maintenance without the assistance of a HVAC
professional. Most states require licensed
professionals to repair or
service air
conditioning.
Regular
checkups of your HVAC system should have regular
service checks to avoid costly repairs. You should
service your cooling system often, depending where
you live it may have to be serviced twice a year.
This approach will assure you that your system is
functioning properly, especially when the seasons
change.
In addition, regular checkups make your system last
longer. As a home owner or prospective home owner,
you can respect that notion. Nobody wants to dole
out hundreds of dollars to replace or repair
something you could have prevented from failing.
HVAC Service Tips:
·
Post a service listing or preventative maintenance
check list on your HVAC system so you have a record
of all services.
·
Schedule your service twice a year, preferably when
the season changes in the spring and fall.
Scheduling these checkups in advance will help you
avoid forgetfulness later.
·
Decide if you are going to do it yourself or hire a
professional, or technician. You may only want to
take on conducting your checkup alone if you have
experience with central air systems.
·
If you DIY the first thing to do is check the air
filter(s). Air filter changes need to be done
regularly. The frequency of the change will depend
on what kind of air filter you currently have
installed. Some filters are higher quality and can
last longer between changes. How often you change
your filters depend on the climate you live in. If
you live in a highly dusty environment you may need
to replace filters more regularly.
·
Check the cleanliness of your system’s coils and
its surroundings. Checking your unit’s fluid levels
is also vital to ensure appropriate function.
·
If you are not a DIY homeowner you will need a
professional to perform your seasonal preventative
maintenance. You can locate a HVAC professional in
your area very easily by consulting the yellow
pages of the phone book or the internet. If you are
concerned about the reputation of the service
company consult with the better business bureau or
ask your neighbor what service company he uses.
Regular HVAC preventative
maintenance will save you money in the long run. If
you can’t do it yourself so much better but if you
can do not ignore getting a professional to do it
for you.
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