Heating maintenance involves a variety of tasks that keep systems running smoothly. One of the most basic is to change out the air filter. This will help prevent it from becoming clogged and restricting airflow, straining the blower motor and making the system less efficient.
The best way to get the most out of your heater is to have a professional tune it up twice a year. Preventative maintenance minimizes energy bills, prevents outages, and extends the lifespan of equipment. Click https://www.onpointplumbingandheating.com/ to learn more.
Keeping the air filter clean is one of the easiest and most important things you can do to maintain your heating system. Dirty filters restrict airflow, causing the system to work harder and cost more to operate. The clogged filters also circulate dust and allergens throughout the home, affecting everyone’s breathing, especially those with respiratory issues such as asthma.
Most systems have a filter access door in the return air duct close to the indoor unit. Some have a grille installed in the wall or ceiling, swinging open to reveal the filter. Other systems have a filter in the furnace next to the blower motor, while others have a central filter access panel in a basement, crawl space, or utility closet.
You can usually tell it’s time to replace the filter when caked-on dust and other debris fall off when you pull the old filter out of its holder. You can also look at it: a dirty filter will have a clear color to the netting, while a new, clean filter should be completely transparent.
When you install the new filter, please take a moment to write the date in large letters so you can remember when it was replaced. Remember that a filter needs to be replaced every month, though some homeowners can go up to four months.
Make sure the filter is oriented correctly, too. Most filters have arrows indicating the airflow direction; they should point forward toward your furnace and not backward toward your home.
If you feel uncomfortable cleaning the filter, a professional will often do it as part of a heating maintenance check. The pro will also examine the air vents and ductwork, cleaning if needed and clearing blockages to ensure proper airflow.
An annual heating maintenance inspection is the best way to prevent costly repairs or replacements. It’s not only good for your wallet, but it helps to prolong the life of every component of your system and will help you avoid major out-of-pocket costs should anything fail.
Over time, dust can build up in your thermostat and interfere with how it reads the settings that you have set. To ensure proper heating maintenance, it is a good idea to remove the thermostat cover gently and use a cloth to wipe away any dirt or dust that may be stuck underneath it. Also, you will want to ensure that nothing is blocking the vents so the system has an unimpeded airflow.
Another common reason your home might not get warm enough is if the thermostat settings don’t match the actual temperature in the house. This is a very easy problem to fix, but it can lead to frustration if you constantly try to reach a certain target temperature that your system doesn’t seem to hit.
Fortunately, this type of problem is typically caused by a simple error. Programmable thermostats are designed to maintain their programmed settings over long periods, so if yours suddenly shows a different reading than you had it set at, this could indicate that the unit has gone awry for one reason or another.
Before you start panicking about a broken thermostat, it’s always a good idea to swap out the batteries and check for any other potential power sources like tripped breakers or blown fuses. If everything seems okay, there may be a simple solution, such as cleaning the screen or replacing the batteries.
If all of these steps fail to solve the problem, you should open up the thermostat and look at it to see if any corroded wiring needs to be replaced. You will also want to ensure that no dust or dirt has built up in the mechanical contacts and that they are properly aligned. If so, a professional can help you replace the parts and restore the thermostat to working condition. If it looks beyond repair, however, the team at Hutchinson can help you find a new replacement thermostat that will suit your needs.
During a heat pump maintenance visit, an HVAC technician thoroughly inspects the unit and cleans all components. They will ensure that the refrigerant level is adequate and repair or replace faulty parts. They will also provide the thermostat to be calibrated to optimize energy efficiency and system operation. This will save you money on energy bills and extend the lifespan of your unit.
The HVAC technician often finds that the evaporator and condenser coils are covered with dirt and debris, which can hinder efficient heat transfer. The technician will clean these coils and remove any obstructions to improve airflow. Then, they will inspect the electrical terminals and controls to make sure they are tight and not prone to loosening or breaking. This step is important because faulty controls or switches can lead to various issues, including incorrect heating and cooling operation, inefficient operation, and even safety hazards.
The technician will also check the refrigerant level and replenish it as needed. This is essential because low refrigerant levels force the system to work harder, resulting in higher energy bills.
If the refrigerant level is leaking, the professional will conduct tests to identify the source of the leak. They may use a vacuum pump to help locate the leak and perform the necessary repairs.
In addition to checking the refrigerant level and repairing or replacing faulty parts, the HVAC technician will test the airflow in the system. They will look for duct leaks, blower and fan speed problems, and other issues that can reduce airflow and cause the heat pump to work harder to compensate.
One final point to note is that the heat pump’s outdoor unit should be at least four to eight inches off the ground. This will help prevent it from becoming clogged with snow and ice, which can cause damage. A professional can raise the unit to the proper height for optimal function and performance if the unit is too low.
The outside unit performs a vital function in your air conditioning system. It extracts heat from indoor air, compresses the refrigerant, and facilitates the transfer of that heat to the environment around it. Without it, your cooling process wouldn’t work. However, like the inside components of your air conditioner, it needs regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance.
The outdoor unit has a switch that shuts off the power to the compressor in case of a problem. It typically looks similar to a standard light switch and is easily turned off during routine maintenance. To reset the switch, find and flip it to the “on” position.
The fan in your outdoor unit needs an unobstructed path to blow air through it. Regularly clear away leaves, branches, debris, or dirt blocking the airflow. This should be done twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring.
The coils in your outdoor AC unit can collect a layer of dust that prevents the proper transfer of heat. This can lead to overheating, forcing the system to shut down. Regular cleaning of the coils should help to prevent this from happening, but if you notice a sudden drop in cooling efficiency or hear hissing noises near the unit, it could be a sign of a refrigerant leak. This requires a professional technician to locate and repair.
Inspecting the venting system regularly for damage, especially to the chimney that connects to the outside unit, is also important. If this is damaged or deteriorating, it may need to be replaced with a new one. An experienced heating system professional can help you determine the best option for your home.