Year-End HVAC Maintenance Guidelines
As soon as the air turns chilly, you know it’s time to winterize your residence for the cooler months ahead. Your heating system is crucial to maintaining a cozy, warm environment. A well-maintained furnace supplies the comfort you want while using less energy. Routine inspections also make your system less likely to fail and help lengthen its service life. These are just a couple of examples of how year-end 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 once a year. The ideal time for this is in the fall before contractors become bombarded with calls during the busy winter season. Having said that, if you miss that window on the calendar, it’s still helpful to schedule furnace maintenance no matter what the season.
Your heating specialist’s HVAC maintenance checklist should feature the following:
- Check the thermostat settings: Everybody enjoys an efficient HVAC system, and this begins with your thermostat. During a maintenance tune-up, the professional ensures your thermostat is reading the temperature accurately and engaging your furnace at the proper times.
- Tighten the electrical connections: Making sure that all electrical connections are working correctly is essential. Loose wires can result in a higher electricity draw, potentially decreasing the life of your system’s components and causing a safety threat.
- Measure the motor voltage and current: This step allows a contractor to find out if the motor is operating within the desired parameters, helping to prevent motor failure and unnecessary energy consumption.
- Lubricate moving parts: Friction reduces energy efficiency. Your repair person lubricates all moving parts to lower 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 run. This line needs to be clear of obstructions to protect against water accumulation and potential water damage. Examining the drain provides peace of mind that your utility closet won’t suffer water damage.
- Evaluate the system controls: This involves verifying the furnace starts, operates and powers off according to the manufacturer’s specifications, ensuring safety and dependability.
- Inspect the ignition burner assembly: This part is responsible for igniting the burner. A tech evaluates the assembly to make sure it’s clean and operating properly.
- Study the heat exchanger: The heat exchanger transfers heating from the fuel to your home’s air. A crack could bring carbon monoxide into your home, so careful examination is an important step on the HVAC maintenance visit.
- Clean the burners: Over time, burners can accumulate dust and debris that hinders performance. A thorough cleaning ensures they operate efficiently and safely.
- Check for gas leaks: Checking for leaks is fundamental with gas heating systems. A leak can be hazardous and should be addressed ASAP.
- Analyze the gas pressure: Proper gas pressure is crucial for optimal furnace operation. Pressure that’s too low or too high can upset system efficiency and the warmth in your home.
Routine Furnace Maintenance to Do at Home
Here’s how to keep your heating system running properly between professional HVAC maintenance tune-ups:
- Install a clean air filter: A plugged filter can put stress on your home’s HVAC equipment. Check the filter monthly and replace it when it appears dirty to improve efficiency and extend your system’s life span.
- Check your thermostat settings: The Department of Energy (DOE) advocates 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 not home or sleeping at night to save up to 10% on your heating expenses.
- Clean the air registers: Dust accumulation can reduce airflow, so vacuum the grilles routinely to preserve good air quality. After that, make sure furniture, rugs and curtains don’t obstruct your return or supply vents to ensure proper 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 need it most.
- Seal drafts: Inspect your home for leaky windows and doors. If you sense drafts, seal them with caulk and weatherstripping to keep the cold from getting in your home and reduce your furnace’s workload.
- Evaluate your attic insulation level: An insufficient insulation level in your home’s attic leads to heat loss. Add insulation where needed to keep heat indoors and reduce your energy bills.
Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for HVAC Maintenance in Fort Lauderdale
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to solve your home comfort needs. We ensure peace of mind with our extensive HVAC inspections, quick solutions and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our ACE-certified technicians strive to go above and beyond. You can trust Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to make a meaningful difference in your comfort and residential relaxation 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