As a homeowner, preventative maintenance protects your HVAC system. Without seasonal care, you might find that problems build causing something to break, which will leave you with a much larger bill than if you had performed regular maintenance. The good news is that you can take a few easy steps this spring to keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
1. Inspect Air Ducts
As air enters a room, dust and other particles may come along with it. Dust can build up in your system and cause wear and tear, decreasing efficiency and leading to problems later on.
To avoid this, find each vent within your house and every spot where the HVAC system pushes air through. Give the vent covers a good scrub, clean or change the filters; and if you notice buildup or suspicious spots, make a note to have a professional check it out.
2. Look at the Lines
Your air conditioner will have refrigerant lines connected to ensure that the air can cool down when and where you want it to. However, these refrigerant lines can wear out over time.
Trace the lines from their source to the end, and look for any signs of damage. Unless extreme weather blows through your area, you should not have to check them until next season.
3. Deep Clean Your AC Unit
If you have an external AC unit, pay careful attention to keep it running at its best. After sitting unused during the colder months, the machine may not function at its best, so you should include it in your spring inspection and cleaning. Follow a few easy steps for this process:
- Turn off your AC unit before you begin cleaning it.
- Clean any dust or dirt off of the coils and fan blades, as well as the intake vent.
- Clear the area of any weeds or vines that might grow near the machine.
- Check over the machine and ensure that all parts look serviceable.
- Turn your AC on for a while and ensure everything is working correctly. If you notice anything wrong with the unit, contact a professional.
If you have internal window units, the process should look very similar. You will also want to inspect the mountings and fixtures that keep the AC unit where it is supposed to be. You will not want it to fall or break during a time when you will really need it.
4. Survey Your Seals
The HVAC system is critical to keeping your home at the right temperature and air quality. However, if the air is coming in or going out in other ways, then your air conditioning will not function properly. Improper or worn-down seals may keep your maintenance bills high and your HVAC inefficient.
Think about where else air moves in your house, such as the doors and windows. Inspect the seals on each one and make sure that they are tight. Clean the sealed areas to ensure that dust and dirt do not keep them from doing their job. If you notice any breakage or wear and tear, plan to replace or upgrade the spot.
When you live in the South, the last appliance you want to fail is your HVAC system, so maintenance is critical. When going through this checklist, you may find problems that need more attention than you can give. That is where C. J. Services, Inc., comes in. Service is more than just a word with us, and we have provided everything from sales to repairs in the Gulf Coast area of Mississippi since 2004.
Click here to learn more information about our services.
