One of the easiest and most important HVAC maintenance tasks is to change your air filters. The filters in your HVAC system trap dust and other particles so they don't get into your home. If you don't change your filters regularly, they become clogged with dirt and other materials that can negatively impact the performance of your HVAC system. It's recommended that you change your filters every two to three months, or more often if you live in a dusty area or have pets that shed a lot of hair.If you're in the middle of a heating season, you may want to change your furnace filter more frequently. Furnace filters trap dirt and other contaminants, which reduces the amount of time your furnace needs to run and the amount of energy it uses. If you're in the middle of a cooling season, you'll want to change your air conditioner filter more frequently because it traps dirt and dust. If you're in a dust storm, the air conditioner will have to work harder to keep your home cool.
If you've ever opened up your HVAC unit and seen all that dust and debris, you know that ducts can get pretty dirty. You can clean out your ducts by using a broom or a vacuum, but you should never use a brush or a scouring pad. These things can actually tear ducts or harm the metal inside them. If you're in a home with hardwood floors, you may want to invest in a duct cleaning machine. These can be rented from most HVAC companies and will make the job much easier.
If you're in the middle of a heating season, you may have heard that refrigerant levels need to be checked. This is true for air conditioning systems, but not heating ones. The refrigerant in an air conditioning system is a type of coolant that helps keep the system from overheating. If it runs out, your system will overheat and shut off. You'll notice that your air conditioner isn't cooling your home as much as it should and will need to run for a longer period of time to keep things cool. If you notice that your system isn't cooling as much as it should or that it isn't keeping your home cool enough, it's a good idea to check your refrigerant levels. This can be done by using a refrigerant tester or by opening the cap on the outdoor portion of your HVAC system and dipping a rag in there. If you notice a strong, chemical-like smell, it's a good sign that you need to add more refrigerant to your system.
If you want your HVAC system to work more efficiently, you'll need to change your thermostat settings. The best time to do this is when you're changing your HVAC system's filters. You'll want to make sure that the thermostat's settings are set to 20 degrees lower than the set temperature. This will help your HVAC system run more efficiently. If you live in a hot, dry area, you may want to set your thermostat to a lower temperature. If you live in a cold, wet area, you'll want to set your thermostat to a higher temperature.
If you live in a dry area, you may want to change the oil in your air conditioner once a year. If you live in a very wet area, you may want to change the oil once every two years. The oil in an air conditioner helps lubricate the compressor and other moving parts and is critical to the system's performance. If the oil gets too dirty, it can cause the system to fail. If you live in a dry or dusty area, you may want to use a dry oil change kit. If you live in a wet area, you'll want to use a wet oil change kit. Make sure to follow the instructions on the oil change kit to make sure you don't damage your air conditioner.
HVAC maintenance is an important part of owning and operating a home heating or cooling system. If you don't maintain your system, it will eventually break down and need to be repaired or replaced. The best way to prevent that from happening is to perform regular HVAC maintenance. These are some of the most common HVAC maintenance tasks. If your HVAC system isn't running as efficiently as it should be or if there are any signs of wear or tear, it's time for a tune-up. This will ensure everything is in good working order and ready to go for the next few months. Depending on your system, you may also want to look at replacing certain parts as they age and become worn out. For example, if you have an air conditioner that has run for a decade without issue, the compressor will probably need replacing. There are many other parts of your HVAC system that need replacing as they break or wear out.