HVAC systems can hold up fairly well on their own. But if you really want to get the most out of your HVAC system, you need to provide it with regular maintenance. That said, not all maintenance is good maintenance. You can get it wrong and, in some cases, actually do damage to your HVAC system. Curious as to the kind of HVAC maintenance mistakes that you need to look out for? Then read on. We’re going to cover them in detail below.
1. Failing to Replace Your Air Filter
Over time, substantial amounts of dust and debris can make their way into your HVAC system. This not only causes a problem with your indoor air quality but also puts unnecessary strain on your system, sucking up excess energy and costing you more money on your electric bills.
But, fortunately, every HVAC system is equipped with something that can help keep dust and debris to a minimum. This “something” is an air filter and it gets dirty fast.
It gets dirty so fast, in fact, that it needs to be replaced frequently, usually every 3 months. If it’s not replaced within this time period, it will fail to do its job, and your HVAC system will take on more and more dust and debris.
So, in short, make sure to replace your air filter. Again, every 3 months is customary. However, if you have furry pets in your home (like cats or dogs, for instance), you might want to make a change every 1 or 2 months instead.
2. Cleaning Your Coils With an Acidic Cleaner
Another mistake that’s common when performing HVAC maintenance is using an acidic cleaner on the outdoor HVAC unit’s coils. These coils need to be cleaned, yes, but they’re not designed to withstand the effects of acid and other chemicals, no matter the potency.
When cleaning your coils, you can make do with just a low-pressure stream of water. Grab your hose and pour it down onto the coils, all the while scrubbing them with a coil brush.
After some time, debris will start to flake off and your coils will be good to go for the foreseeable future.
3. Only Vacuuming Your Vents
As we’ve noted, over time, an HVAC system becomes inundated with dust and debris. Even if you replace your air filter faithfully, this will happen.
Yes, you can remove some of this debris by vacuuming out the vents within your home. However, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. If you’re not also vacuuming out your air ducts every 3 to 5 years or so, you’re exposing your home to a bevy of allergens, not to mention putting undue strain on your HVAC unit.
How do you clean your air ducts? Well, you’ll have to disassemble them and then use a vacuum to suck up debris. After you’re finished, you’ll then have to reassemble them.
This can be a daunting task for some. So, if you need help, don’t be afraid to call up your local HVAC company.
4. Failing to Keep the Condenser Area Cleared
Your air conditioner condenser exists on the outside of your home. Because of this, it’s exposed to all sorts of things that are found outdoors, from falling branches to rocks to dirt and much, much more.
Now, condensers do a fairly good job of protecting themselves from these entities. But, in some cases, objects will actually fall into the condenser, posing a danger to its internal propeller. This can lead to serious structural and mechanical issues, which can cost substantial amounts of money to repair.
Unfortunately, many homeowners do little to prevent this from happening. You shouldn’t be one of these homeowners.
You need to take action to keep your AC condenser area cleared. Trim up tree branches, hedges, and other vegetation, leaving at least 5 feet of clearance around the condenser. Try to also keep the area free of potentially harmful objects, like stones, thick pieces of wood, and the like.
5. Trying to Repair Problems With Only a Little Knowledge or Experience
Regardless of the quality of your HVAC system, little problems are still bound to pop up from time to time. For instance, a belt might come loose. Or, your condenser propeller might become bent.
You might think that you’re capable of making these repairs and, in some cases, you might very well be. However, you don’t want to push it.
Unless you have experience and knowledge of the repair that needs to be made, you need to instead hand the repair off to a professional. Trying to make a repair that you’re not familiar with could cause even further damage to your HVAC system, costing you tons of extra money in expenses.
6. Not Having Your HVAC System Inspected By a Professional
Perhaps the biggest mistake that homeowners make when it comes to HVAC maintenance is not having their HVAC systems inspected by a professional. Sure, you might be able to handle a decent amount of the maintenance that goes along with owning an HVAC system but if you’re never exposing your HVAC system to professional eyes, it could be suffering from a bevy of discreet problems.
Having your unit checked by a professional is important because professionals know exactly what to look for. They can tell when a specific component isn’t operating correctly. They can tell when a part is in need of a replacement.
Make sure to schedule a professional inspection annually. Allowing problems to go on for longer than this could be disastrous for an old HVAC unit.
Don’t Let These HVAC Maintenance Mistakes Hurt Your HVAC System
These HVAC maintenance mistakes can have quite a negative influence on your HVAC system. As such, they must be avoided as much as possible.
Need help with regular HVAC maintenance? Need HVAC maintenance or HVAC repair service in Houston, Texas? We here at P&M are the people to see.
Contact us now to get the process started!