Maintaining your heating/air conditioning system is important not only for keeping it running properly, but for avoiding costly repairs in the future. Michael Burkell, owner of Burkell Plumbing, Inc. in Sausalito, says homeowners should schedule yearly maintenance tune-ups by qualified HVAC technicians who will clean or replace air filters, check and clean their units, and look for system cycle irregularities. “For example, some people don’t look at their furnaces for years. They don’t realize an improperly maintained furnace can overheat, which can cause all the components to fail and eventually ruin it. When a furnace is maintained as it should be, it’s quieter and runs much better.”
Remember, all major HVAC problems should be handled by a qualified contractor, but there are some simple steps you can take to ensure your system works as efficiently as possible. Here are some general tips for maintaining your heating/air conditioning system:
• Check thermostat settings to ensure the system keeps you comfortable when you’re home and saves energy while you’re away.
• Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe system operation and reduce the life of major components.
• Lubricate all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication can cause motor friction and increase the amount of electricity the system uses.
• Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). A plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels.
• Check system controls to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the starting cycle of the equipment to ensure the system starts, operates and shuts off properly.
Cooling systems
• Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce the system’s ability to cool your home and cause it to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
• Check your central air conditioner’s refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant will make the system less efficient.
• Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system’s efficiency by up to 15 percent.
Heating systems
• Check all gas connections (gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger). Improperly operating gas connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger causes improper burner operation. Either can cause the equipment to operate less safely and efficiently.
