HVAC Maintenance
HVAC systems keep our homes at the perfect temperature all year round, but this can only happen if you’re able to maintain your HVAC system regularly. The following five hacks will help you keep your HVAC in top shape, so that you and your family can be as comfortable as possible throughout the year.
A well-maintained heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can keep your home comfortable all year long while also saving you money on your energy bills. While these systems are typically very reliable, there are some preventative maintenance steps you can take to make sure everything stays in good working order throughout the year. Here are three reasons why HVAC maintenance in Southlake TX is important.
Change Filters Every Month
When we think of HVAC maintenance, most of us imagine something that happens just before air conditioner season and nothing else. But you should be changing your AC filter monthly—preferably at least twice a month—to keep dust, pollen, and debris from gathering in your system’s blades. This will ensure that everything runs smoothly as we head into hotter months.
Replace Worn Out Furnace/AC Belts
If your air conditioner or furnace belt starts wearing out—or breaks—the system might stop working altogether. If that happens, you may have to call a professional out at least twice: once for inspection, and again for repairs. To avoid that expense, check and replace worn-out belts early. You can buy replacement belts from any hardware store (they’re cheap) and change them on your own in less than 30 minutes. However, if you find out that it’s too late for a belt replacement and significant damage has been done on your system, you can call emergency ac repair Las Vegas to resolve the problem.
Check Refrigerant Levels For HVAC Maintenance
Refrigerant levels are one of the most important aspects of HVAC maintenance in Southlake TX. Refrigerant—also known as Freon—is a gas used to move heat from one place (your home or office) to another. If refrigerant levels get too low, your system won’t be able to cool properly; if they get too high, your system won’t be able to heat properly. Check refrigerant levels at least once a year by using a thermometer and following a few simple steps:
- Turn off all power and open any cabinet doors below your air conditioning unit or furnace; you should see two gauges inside one of these cabinets, with hoses connected on either side.
- Insert your thermometer into one of those hoses.
- Read your temperature gauge when it stabilizes, which will take about five minutes.
- Subtract 32 degrees from that number and write down that number in degrees Fahrenheit.
- Then multiply that number by .24 to determine how many pounds of refrigerant you have left in your system—the result is how many pounds per square inch (PSI).
- Call an HVAC professional for help if you don’t have enough Freon in your system or if there’s too much; it’s easy to add more but hard to remove what’s already there.
Have Your Gas Piping Inspected
The Value of Preventative Maintenance
Although home inspections are only required for homes being sold, it is a good idea to have your gas piping inspected by a professional. No one wants carbon monoxide in their air supply and a pro can catch potentially dangerous leaks before they become a problem. It’s also important to replace your gas piping if it’s damaged. While pipes can last decades if properly maintained, they are subject to damage and some may need replacing every 10 years or so. The cost of repairing or replacing them is far less than potential consequences if you neglect doing so. To prevent issues with heating and cooling, keep up with HVAC maintenance in Southlake TX regularly.
A well-maintained heating and cooling system will save you both time and money. A dirty air filter can increase energy consumption by up to 20%, while a clogged coil can prevent proper airflow and lead to bigger, more expensive problems. Scheduling maintenance appointments with your contractor on a regular basis will keep your equipment in top shape for years. Making sure your unit gets a proper clean, that all safety mechanisms are functioning, and that it’s running as efficiently as possible is also one of the easiest ways to extend its life cycle—and preventing costly HVAC replacement costs down the road.
