Unless you’re involved with the industry, the topic of HVAC (aka Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) may seem dull and challenging. At Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air, we desire to make things more concise and compelling for you. So whether cozying up to binge-watch your favorite sitcom or decompressing with a book in your past time, we strive to deliver you comfort through our quality service, so you can enjoy your home comfortably. In addition, we’d like to share more on how to maintain your HVAC system, what to do when something is defective with your system, and what preventative maintenance can give to you.
What is Maintenance for Your HVAC System Important?
The most beneficial HVAC maintenance you can bless upon your home is preventative. By living proactively, you’re putting forth the efforts that will uphold the prevention of future problems from transpiring. Some things that can go awry with your HVAC include corrosion, leaks, and cold or hot air distribution. Dirty coils and clogged filters can also cause trouble, so remaining on top of your maintenance responsibilities year after year will prove critical.
First, always keep up with the following: ensure areas around both indoor and outdoor HVAC components are free of jams and debris (2 feet around) and invest in a high-efficiency air filter, swapping them out as needed. Then, every month, inspect your A/C refrigerant lines linking your outdoor A/C to your system’s indoor evaporator coil for leaks. Next, when summer appears, please do yourself a favor and turn the water off the furnace humidifier, turning it on again in the fall.
Finally, these are the duties you should execute once a year:
- Change the batteries in every carbon monoxide detector
- Lubricate your HVAC, and exchange its fan belt if it’s not efficiently operating
- Cleanse your A/C condensation drain line with bleach
- Confirm that your outdoor A/C unit is standing on level ground
Here at Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air, we advise signing up for a preventative maintenance plan to help you find comfort in knowing your HVAC system is maintained effectively. The life expectancy of an HVAC system is 10 to 25 years. The way you keep that system will distinguish whether it survives closer to 10 or 25.
What If Your HVAC System is Malfunctioning?
As we creep up on the warmer seasons, ensuring your A/C adequately performs is essential. But, what should you do if you give your A/C a seasonal test run and it is flawed? First thing’s first, make sure the trouble isn’t your furnace. Next, put your thermostat to A/C mode and lower the temperature setting. If the furnace fan turns on, the problem is not with the furnace. If the fan doesn’t function, try resetting the circuit breaker to your furnace. Then, if the fan still doesn’t switch on, it is time to call a professional.
When to Contact an HVAC Expert?
An HVAC experienced professional will help guarantee that your HVAC unit is as energy-efficient as attainable. It’s time to contact the experts when:
- Your energy bill is ridiculously high
- Your thermostat is cautioning you of excess humidity or water
- You wish to save money in the long run on repair charges
- Your indoor air quality is jacked up
- A faulty part needs repairing
- A routine maintenance appointment demands scheduling
- A strange noise needs inspection
- Something stinks like it’s burning
- You want to extend the lifespan of your air conditioner
Regardless, unless you have the education of someone proficient in HVAC, even if you are crafty and intuitive, it will persist being in your best interest as a homeowner to speak with a professional before acting further when problems arise with your HVAC system. I’m sure you’d prefer not to undergo the unnecessary misfortunes of an ineffective attempt at repairing your system alone. So let us offer you relief from your stresses. Call Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air today at (937) 502-3842, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
