It's the winter season again, and your HVAC system could be on the verge of a breakdown. Understanding what to do when your HVAC system needs maintenance is imperative to ensure that you avoid a hefty repair bill later on. This article will teach you when it's time for maintenance and how to complete it safely.

1. Why Do I Need Maintenance?

Before rushing out to buy a new system, remember that there are a lot of benefits to getting the old one serviced. For one, if it breaks down mid-winter, you'll need a service provider to fix it immediately. If your unit is under warranty, it will take less time for a professional to diagnose and fix the problem, saving you money on new equipment.

Additionally, regular HVAC maintenance helps save energy use over time – which could make all the difference in the cost of your HVAC system. According to a U.S. Department of Energy report, most equipment breaks down because of poor maintenance – not just because the unit has reached its end of life. Regular maintenance can help eliminate this problem by ensuring your system is always working efficiently.

2. How Do I Know When Maintenance is needed?

The best way to tell if your HVAC unit needs maintenance is to look for signs of poor performance in your system. These signs can include:

•The system running is a sign that there's something wrong with the system and that your unit could need maintenance.

•Loud noises or unusual smells are coming from your system – this could indicate a problem with the unit. The noises may be the sound of something not working properly – for example, an air handler clattering against each other when it should be quiet. The smells could be from a leaking part or corroded elements.

3. How Do I Complete Maintenance Properly?

There are many ways that you can complete your maintenance requirements. Since it's best to have a professional with experience with HVAC systems complete the work, many people trust their local HVAC Company to do this.

Preventative maintenance is one of the most important parts of maintaining your HVAC system. Preventative maintenance often involves replacing filters, checking ducts, and performing tune-ups on electrical components of the system. If you want to keep your system running efficiently and safely, you should set up a schedule for preventative maintenance. Call an HVAC technician each season, especially if your system is older and you haven't had any major issues with it in the past. Doing this will ensure that the entire unit is running at optimal performance.

It would help if you also had regular tune-ups performed by an HVAC technician. Tune-ups include cleaning out the condenser, checking all of the capacitors and moving parts of the unit, and performing a leak test on all of the gas components of the system. This can be performed annually or every other year, depending on your location, but experts recommend doing it at least once every other year for optimal performance.

Part of taking care of your system includes keeping it lubricated. If you notice that the system is running louder than usual or is less efficient, you can have it serviced. This will protect your unit from damage and help extend certain components' life. An HVAC technician will carry a can of lubricant with them and apply it to the various moving parts of the system during a tune-up. If you've been having noise issues for a long time, you may need to have this done more than once before the source is found and resolved.

It would help if you always were looking for leaks in your HVAC system. Use a flashlight to check your pipes and electric components for spots of moisture or condensation. If you find any, you may need to call an HVAC technician. Depending on the leak's source, you may also need to call a plumber. These leaks can result in mold or other damage that is hard to fix without professional help.

Conclusion

Your HVAC system is an important investment in your home's comfort. It's important to keep it running properly for your and your family's safety. Performing preventative maintenance is a great way to keep it running properly and protect it from damage. If any of your unit's components start malfunctioning, or if you notice that something has changed about the way the unit is functioning, you should call an HVAC technician right away. They can help you diagnose problems and suggest ways to improve your home's performance to save money while maintaining comfort.

Guest Contributor: Hannah Boothe