A Guide to HVAC Maintenance

HVAC maintenance and repair is one of the most tedious problems a homeowner can face, especially in the winter. The last thing you want is your AC system or heating system working harder than it needs to or break down altogether. Keeping your HVAC system in top condition helps prevent heat losses and lower monthly energy costs.

Follow these tips and suggestions to get the most out of your home’s heating and cooling so you can save money every month.

Instead of waiting until your HVAC unit breaks down, you can avoid a costly replacement with preventative maintenance practices. Seasonal tune-ups and inspections help extend the lifespan of the system you already have. You can perform them yourself, or you can hire an HVAC professional.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that for every dollar you spend on preventative HVAC maintenance, you save $4 in repair and replacement costs.

Regardless of the type of AC or heating unit you have, doing seasonal checkups is a good preventative practice. Doing a visual inspection of your heating and cooling system every summer and winter helps it to stay functioning.

When doing a visual inspection, these are the procedures you should follow:

• Check your thermostat settings and battery status to ensure it is maintaining set temperatures
• Inspect and tighten any loose electrical connections
• Make sure the condensate system is draining properly
• Make sure the flue system is secure and intact
• Clean all surfaces, connections, and registers of mold, dust, and dander buildup
• Clear away clutter and debris on and around both indoor and outdoor units

If you're still experiencing problems after you’ve done a visual inspection, the next step is scheduling a tune-up with an HVAC professional. Preventative maintenance checkups are standard procedures in the HVAC field. Having them done regularly is a great way to keep your heating and cooling units in the best shape.

Twice a year, or seasonally, is the recommended frequency for getting your HVAC system checked out. Spring maintenance prepares your AC system for summer and fall maintenance buffs up your heating system for winter. By consistently maintaining your HVAC system, you can make a unit that lasts 10 years last more than 20.

The air filter in your HVAC system manages the quality of the air that gets distributed throughout your home. A dirty air filter can pollute the air in your home with dust, bacteria, and even mold.

Ideally, you should clean and/or change your air filter once a month. Running an air conditioner with an old filter can block air flow and contaminate the air in your home. Poor air flow causes your unit to use extra energy to create cool or warm air. This creates unnecessary waste and avoidable spikes in energy bills.

Adding a UV light to your HVAC system is a relatively new recommendation, but their effectiveness is impressive. UV lights can get rid of harmful contaminants and extend the life of your unit.

Germicidal UV, or ultraviolet lights, are not new technology. Medical and science fields have been using them for disinfecting purposes for many years. Now, the HVAC industry is realizing the benefits UV light has for disinfecting homes.

The purpose of UV lights is to rid homes of airborne viruses, mold spores, and bacteria. One study found that UV lights were able to reduce the amount of mold and bacteria in a home by 97%. Cleaner air not only benefits your health, but prevents buildup that can wear on your HVAC unit over time.

The two main types of UV lights for HVAC systems are coil sanitizing lights and air sanitizing lights.

Coil sanitizing lights sit near the evaporator coil in an AC unit. This area holds the refrigerant that cools your home and is prone to dampness. Contaminants like mold, bacteria, dirt, and dander can all build up there, but UV light has the power to keep your HVAC coils clean.

Air sanitizing lights go directly in the ductwork of your heating and air conditioning system. Their job is to sanitize the air before it circulates throughout your home.

Even if you already have a high-quality air filter, an HVAC UV light provides additional benefits. On top of preventing certain respiratory illnesses, UV lights reduce bad odors and kill bacteria that may slip through the air filter. Air filters also don’t prevent mold and mildew from growing in your ducts, but UV lights have the power to stop that buildup.

The one caveat of UV lighting is that it is dangerous to the eyes and skin. When handling an HVAC UV light, wear protective clothes and eye protection. Safety glasses are inexpensive and easy to find, and are good products to have on hand.

If you feel like your HVAC system is creating poor air quality in your home, consider installing a UV light system. They are inexpensive, effective, and easy to maintain. All the benefits of UV lighting can restore your HVAC system’s capacity by up to 35%. This means more air flow, faster heating and cooling, and a longer lifespan for your unit.

Overall, just paying attention to your HVAC system can save you time, effort, and money down the road. Looking out for unusual sounds, odors, and changes in temperature or air flow can help catch a problem before it causes permanent damage. Preventative maintenance is easy to do yourself with no cost. But if you can afford it, professional tune-ups are just as cost-effective.

So make sure to change your air filters, call your HVAC technician, and consider UV technology to keep your home as comfortable and safe as it can be.