The average person spends around 1 percent of their home’s purchase price on maintenance each year. Without proper maintenance, it is only a matter of time before the vital systems in your home breakdown. Instead of dealing with the cost and aggravation this can cause, you need to take things like air conditioning maintenance in Houston seriously.
During the hot summer months, Houston homeowners will use their HVAC on a daily basis. This continuous use can lead to a unit getting overworked. The only way to keep your unit reliable throughout the summer months is by having it professionally maintained.
While professionals will need to handle the bulk of the maintenance your unit needs, there are some things you can handle on your own. Cleaning your HVAC unit thoroughly can make it run more efficiently and may help to reduce repair issues as well.
The following are some of the things you need to focus on when trying to clean your HVAC unit.
Check and Change the Air Filter
Indoor air quality is something you should be concerned with as a homeowner. Breathing in too much dust or other allergens can cause a number of respiratory problems. The first line of defense you have against these allergens is your HVAC unit’s air filter.
This filter is designed to catch dirt dust and pollen. As time goes by, the air filter will begin to get clogged and will need to be replaced. Failing to replace this air filter will not only lead to your indoor air supply suffering, it can also cause your unit to get overworked.
If you are using a pleated filter, you should be changing it out once every two months or so. Investing in a higher-quality filter will help you keep your indoor air supply clean and your unit functional.
Clean the Condenser Coil
Some homeowners get so fixated on maintaining the inside portion of their HVAC unit that they forget all about the outdoor portion. One of the important parts of your HVAC unit is the condenser coil, which is located on the outside of your home.
As time goes by, the condenser coil will begin to be affected by outdoor elements like dirt and even grass. If the fins on this coil are clogged, it will be hard for your unit to get the airflow it needs to operate. With a water host and the right cleaning solution, getting this coil clean is easy.
If you notice the fins on the condenser coil are bent, then investing in a fin tool is a good idea. With this tool, you can straighten out this problem before it does any real damage to your unit. If you are unsure about how to do this work, be sure to contact a reputable HVAC repair professional for help.
Make Sure the Drain Lines Aren’t Blocked
A home HVAC unit has a number of different parts. Unless all of these parts operate correctly in unison, it will be impossible to get the best performance out of your unit. The drain system an HVAC unit has helps to reduce the amount of condensation you have to deal with.
In some instances, dirt or even grass may clog up this drain line. If this happens, it will result in lots of water damage. Instead of dealing with this damage, you need to get in the habit of inspecting and cleaning the drain line if needed.
Using compressed air is a great way to blow out the line quickly. If you notice any leaks or other damage to this line, be sure to call in professionals immediately. With their help, you can get the drain line repaired in a timely manner.
Getting Your Ducts Cleaned
Having cool air blowing through the vents of a home is something most people take for granted. The only way you can get the cool air distributed throughout your home is with a functional and clean duct system. The older your home gets, the more problems you will start to experience with HVAC air flow.
Often times, these problems will be caused by dirty ductwork. If the ducts are clogged with dust, they will prohibit air from flowing as it should. Addressing this problem will require you to hire professionals to clean the ducts.
Some homeowners try to do this work on their own but usually fail to get the results they are after. This is why hiring a professional with the right tools is so important. They should have no problem getting the ducts cleaned in a hurry.
Lubricate Moving Parts
The motor bearings and other moving parts on your HVAC unit will dry out over time. Allowing them to stay dry may result in serious HVAC repair issues developing.
When cleaning your HVAC unit, you need to invest in a can of spray lubricant. With just a few squirts of this lubricant, you can help these parts do their job.
If you still notice squeaking after applying the spray lubricant, it may be time to replace the motor bearings. Waiting too long to address this problem may cause the unit to breakdown completely. This is why calling in professionals immediately is a good idea.
Hiring Professionals to Perform Air Conditioning Maintenance in Houston
When it comes to checking the refrigerant in your unit or addressing repair issues, working with professionals is your best course of action. Professionals can get air conditioning maintenance in Houston done in a timely and efficient manner.
Are you in need of HVAC repair or maintenance? If so, contact us now to find out more about the services we offer.