Annual 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 key to maintaining a cozy, warm setting. A well-maintained furnace delivers the comfort you crave while using less energy. Scheduled inspections also make your system less likely to break down and help extend its life span. These are just a couple of examples of how annual HVAC maintenance can save you time, money and stress. 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 scheduling furnace maintenance annually. The ideal time to do this is in the fall before contractors become swamped with calls during the busy winter season. But, if you miss that window on the calendar, it’s still helpful to conduct furnace maintenance no matter what the season.

Your heating and cooling professional’s HVAC maintenance checklist should contain the following:

• Check the thermostat settings: Everyone wants an efficient HVAC system, and this starts with your thermostat. During a maintenance appointment, the specialist 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 secure is vital. Loose wires can lead to a higher electricity draw, potentially shortening the life of your system’s components and creating a safety threat.
• Measure the motor voltage and current: This step allows a contractor to decide if the motor is working within the desired parameters, helping to prevent motor failure and unnecessary energy consumption.
• Lubricate moving elements: Friction is the enemy of energy efficiency. Your repair person lubricates all moving parts to decrease resistance, reduce wear and tear, and cut down on your energy bills.
• Inspect 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 protect against water accumulation and potential property damage. Looking over the drain gives peace of mind that your utility closet won’t flood.
• Evaluate the system controls: This involves making sure the furnace starts, functions and powers off according to the manufacturer’s specifications, ensuring safety and reliability.
• Scrutinize the ignition burner assembly: This part is responsible for igniting the burner. A professional examines the assembly to confirm it’s clean and operating correctly.
• Study the heat exchanger: The heat exchanger transfers heat from the fuel to your residence’s air. A crack could introduce carbon monoxide into your dwelling, so careful examination is an important step on the HVAC maintenance visit.
• Clean the burners: In time, burners can accumulate dust and debris that impedes performance. A complete cleaning makes sure they work efficiently and safely.
• Look for gas leaks: Searching for leaks is fundamental with gas heating systems. A leak can be hazardous and should be addressed immediately.
• Assess the gas pressure: Proper gas pressure is required for optimal furnace function. Pressure that’s too low or too high can affect system efficiency and the temperature inside your residence.

Maintenance Steps You Can Do Yourself

Here’s how to keep your heating system working properly between professional HVAC maintenance visits:

• Replace the air filter: A plugged filter can put stress on your home’s HVAC equipment. Inspect the filter every 30 days and change it when it appears dirty to increase 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 at home and awake in the winter. Then, set the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees while you’re gone or after you go to bed at night to save up to 10% on your heating spending.
• Clean the air registers: Dust covering your registers can reduce airflow, so vacuum the grilles regularly to promote good air quality. After that, make sure furniture, rugs and curtains don’t obstruct your return or supply vents to ensure correct 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 closer to the floor.
• Seal drafts: Check for leaky windows and doors. If you find drafts, seal them with caulk and weatherstripping to keep the cold air out and reduce your furnace’s workload.
• Analyze your attic insulation level: An under-insulated attic results in heat loss. Add insulation if it’s needed to keep heat indoors and cut down on your energy bills.

Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for HVAC Maintenance in the U.S.

Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is happy to take care of your home comfort needs. We make sure you have peace of mind with our thorough HVAC inspections, fast solutions and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our ACE-certified technicians make sure they go above and beyond. You can count on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to make a meaningful difference in your comfort and residential relaxation this winter with furnace maintenance in Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Phone 866-397-3787 today for help {fortifying your home against|getting your home ready for|preparing your residen