Yearly HVAC Maintenance Checklist
As soon as the air starts to get cold, you know it’s time to winterize your residence for the cooler months ahead. Your heating system is key to maintaining a cozy, warm environment. A well-maintained furnace supplies the comfort you desire while using less energy. Regular inspections also make your system less likely to fail and help it last years longer. 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 cold weather arrives.
Set Up HVAC Maintenance
To keep your furnace in top condition, consider arranging furnace maintenance annually. The best time for this is in the fall before contractors become bombarded with calls during the busy winter season. However, if you miss that window on the calendar, it’s still helpful to get furnace maintenance no matter what the season.
Your heating and cooling professional’s HVAC maintenance checklist should feature the following:
- Examine the thermostat settings: We all desire an efficient HVAC system, and this begins with your thermostat. During a maintenance check, the technician ensures your thermostat is reading the temperature properly and engaging your furnace at the proper times.
- Tighten the electrical connections: Verifying that all electrical connections are in good working order is essential. Loose wires can result in a higher electricity draw, potentially reducing the life of your system’s components and resulting in a safety hazard.
- Measure the motor voltage and current: This step allows a contractor to find out if the motor is operating within the recommended parameters, helping to prevent motor failure and unnecessary energy consumption.
- Lubricate moving parts: Friction is the enemy of energy efficiency. Your technician lubricates all moving parts to minimize resistance, reduce wear and tear, and cut down on your energy bills.
- Check the condensate drain: Air conditioners, condensing furnaces and whole-house humidifiers send condensate down a drain as they work. This line needs to be clear of obstructions to prevent water accumulation and potential home damage. Examining the drain offers peace of mind that your utility closet won’t be damaged.
- Test the system controls: This involves ensuring the furnace starts, functions and shuts off according to the manufacturer’s specifications, ensuring safety and dependability.
- Inspect the ignition burner assembly: This feature is responsible for igniting the burner. A technician examines the assembly to confirm it’s clean and operating properly.
- Study the heat exchanger: The heat exchanger transfers warmth from the fuel to your home’s air. A crack could bring carbon monoxide into your dwelling, so detailed examination is an important step on the HVAC maintenance checklist.
- Clean the burners: In time, burners can accumulate dust and debris that hinders performance. A complete cleaning ensures they function efficiently and safely.
- Check for gas leaks: Monitoring for leaks is vital with gas heating systems. A leak can be hazardous and should be addressed ASAP.
- Analyze the gas pressure: Correct gas pressure is required for optimal furnace operation. Pressure that’s too low or too high can upset system efficiency and home comfort.
Routine Furnace Maintenance to Do at Home
Here’s how to keep your home heating running smoothly between professional HVAC maintenance appointments:
- Replace the air filter: A clogged filter can make your heating system work harder. Check the filter each month and change it when it appears dirty to promote 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 inside the home and awake in the winter. Then, set the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees while you’re gone or after you go to bed at night to save up to 10% on your heating costs.
- Clean the air registers: Dust buildup can reduce airflow, so vacuum the grilles regularly to promote good air quality. Then, make sure furniture, rugs and curtains don’t cover your return or supply vents to ensure proper system balance.
- Reverse the ceiling fan: Set your ceiling fans to spin clockwise during the colder months to blow warm air down from the ceiling to where you will enjoy it.
- Seal drafts: Check 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 minimize your furnace’s workload.
- Assess your attic insulation level: An attic without enough insulation leads to heat loss. Add insulation wherever it is needed to keep heat indoors and cut down on your energy bills.
Work with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for HVAC Maintenance in Fort Lauderdale
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to meet all your home HVAC needs. We ensure peace of mind with our comprehensive 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 significant difference in your comfort and home enjoyment this winter with furnace maintenance in Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. Reach out to us at 954-736-4314 today for help {fortifying your home against|getting your home ready for|preparing your residen