To beat the heat of Colorado summers, you must make certain that your HVAC system is dependable and efficient. One way to do this is to give your system some TLC by scheduling professional maintenance. Learn about the importance of annual maintenance, the benefits it offers, and what it entails.
What Happens During Professional Preventative Maintenance?
When you schedule annual maintenance for your HVAC system, our professional technicians look your machine over, clean its components, and check for proper operating conditions and safety. Our detailed maintenance visit includes several steps, as outlined below.
Visual Inspection
The first step of annual maintenance is a visual inspection of your HVAC system. Your technician looks for anything that is out of place, missing, or damaged. Visual inspection is crucial because not all faulty parts show symptoms during operation but may have visual wear that indicates an impending failure. Sometimes, problems can go unnoticed for a significant period, and you will not be aware of them until the situation is catastrophic.
Check for Strange Sounds and Odors
The technician will power on your air conditioner and listen for strange noises and check for odd smells. Your system should be quiet with no odor when it runs. The only exception to this is when you turn it on for the first time in the season and may notice a slight musty smell. The technician will diagnose any loud banging or clanking noises and foul odors, making repairs to make certain that your equipment does not fail.
Change Air Filters
Your HVAC system has air filters that keep dirt and dust at bay so that the air in your home remains fresh. The filters should be changed every three months. You can do this task on your own throughout the year, but your technician will check the filters and change them if needed during routine maintenance.
Clean the Units
Your HVAC units can get dirty, especially the condenser unit that is located outdoors. Wipe them down to remove dust and dirt and remove any debris from on top or around them. Ensure there is a 2-foot clearance all around your outdoor unit. This is a maintenance task you can do yourself, but the technician will do it if they notice that there is debris present.
Examine Electrical Wires and Cords
A power cord supplies electricity to your air conditioner and should be checked for a secure, tight connection. Wires and cords should be free of damage and connected safely. Never attempt to handle the electrical components of your air conditioner. Untrained handling can result in shock, electrocution, and electrical fires. You can also cause a power surge or outage, which may damage the system or other parts of your home electrical system.
Inspect the Blower Motor
A blower motor pushes conditioned air from your HVAC system into the ductwork, where it travels to vents to cool your home. When the blower motor fails, you’ll hear the air conditioner run, but cold air will not disperse. Your technician will inspect the motor to ensure it’s running properly and isn’t damaged.
Check the Belts
Belts help propel components of the air conditioner. The belts should be visually inspected for cracks and stretching. A loose belt should be replaced to avoid a breakdown in the future.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Some parts of the air conditioner move during operation. The parts may require lubrication to protect them from excessive wear and tear from friction.
Clear the Condensate Drain
Water from condensation must move away from your air conditioner to avoid any damage to its components. The condensate drain carries water to a safe place away from your air conditioner. Your technician will visually examine the drain to ensure it is connected, intact, and free of debris so that this component does its job.
Check Refrigerant
Cold air is produced by your air conditioner using refrigerant. This substance may occasionally need to be refilled. However, if your refrigerant level is extremely low, the technician will look for signs of a leak that will need to be fixed before adding more refrigerant. This substance should be handled only by trained and certified professionals due to the health risks associated with exposure.
Test Safety Controls
Your air conditioner has safety controls that stop it from operating in unsafe conditions. Your technician will test these safety features, ensuring they work as they should. A failed safety control may allow your HVAC system to run when there is a malfunction, which can cause extensive damage to the machine.
Calibrate Thermostat
If your thermostat doesn’t match the actual temperature of your home, your technician will calibrate it. If calibration is not possible, you may need to upgrade to a new device.
Why Is This Maintenance Important?
If you want to avoid expensive emergency repairs and premature system failure, you’ll need to schedule preventative maintenance. Our professional HVAC technicians recommend scheduling the service once a year. The many benefits of preventative routine maintenance are detailed below.
Prevent Breakdowns
There’s nothing worse than sweating out the summer heat because your air conditioner won’t work. Preventative maintenance involves looking for signs of damage and excessive wear and making repairs where needed before they result in total failure of the system.
Lower Repair Bills
Catching problems before they become catastrophic helps lower your repair bills. If a malfunctioning component causes further damage inside your air conditioner, you’ll be left repairing parts that would have been spared if the damage had been spotted sooner.
Extends the Life of Your HVAC System
Preventative care helps your air conditioner live longer. Maintenance promotes efficiency and safety and enhances proper operation to reduce damage. Without preventative care, your machine will work harder and exert more effort, which will reduce its lifespan.
Improves Efficiency
Scheduling routine maintenance ensures that your HVAC system works more efficiently. Efficient operation means less energy consumption, lowering your impact on the environment and saving you money on your energy bills.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Keeping your system clean improves the quality of the air that blows through your vents. Maintenance involves removing dust and dirt from your system by cleaning grime off the various components.
Call Us to Prepare for Summer
Prepping your HVAC system for the Colorado summer is simple when you call the expert HVAC technicians from Jim Needham Heating Cooling Plumbing and Drain. We specialize in all things heating and cooling, helping you to maintain comfort all throughout the year. Our technicians are also ready to help with heat pumps, mini-splits, and smart thermostats. We’ve got you covered with professional plumbing services as well, offering common household plumbing, drain cleaning, leak detection services, and so much more. Make us your one-stop shop for your home services, and we’ll provide you with the best service you can find in the Thornton area.
Get ready to beat the heat this summer and stay cool indoors by calling for professional preventative HVAC maintenance in Thornton by the experts at Jim Needham Heating Cooling Plumbing and Drain.
