A home HVAC system is something that many of us take for granted, that is until something goes wrong with it. It can be absolutely miserable if you are in the middle of a frigid winter and your heater stops working, or you are in the heat of a blistering summer when your AC unit goes off. Even with on-call HVAC experts in Missoula and the surrounding area, it could take hours or even a day or more until a technician can get to your home to repair your HVAC unit.
There’s an old saying that states “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is particularly true when it comes to preventing an HVAC emergency. You can save a lot of time, money, and the headache of a potential HVAC breakdown or HVAC emergency, by doing a few simple preventative maintenance check-ups throughout the year.
Today, we are going to take a look at our Residential HVAC Preventative Maintenance Checklist, so that you can keep your Missoula HVAC unit in top-performing shape. Going through this checklist every year and from season to season will greatly lessen the chances that you will have a serious problem with your HVAC unit. That includes issues you may face with your new or old unit, in the near or distant future.
Missoula Residential HVAC Preventative Maintenance Checklist
There are several things that you want to check on your HVAC unit throughout the year. Most of the check-ups and maintenance you will be doing will be on a seasonal basis. This will give you the ability to make sure that your unit is in top working condition for the extreme temperatures you can expect in the upcoming seasons. That means that you will be performing check-ups and maintenance during spring and summer, and also during the fall and winter months.
Spring and Summer HVAC Maintenance in Missoula
The following is our go-to Spring and Summer Maintenance checklist that our Missoula HVAC experts recommend that you use in the warmer months of the year. This will not only ensure that your HVAC unit is in good working condition during the heat of the summer but will also help you prep your residential HVAC unit for the coming fall and winter as well.
Replace or Clean Your Filters
Having clean filters are essential for your AC working at peak function. Make sure that your filter is clean, or if you have an older, worn-out filter you should have it replaced.
Clean your Condenser
Your condenser is what blows air over your refrigerant filled coils in your HVAC unit. If your condenser isn’t working well, it can take a lot more time and energy to cool your home.
Clean Your HVAC’s Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils are one of two essential components of your AC unit that work to cool your home. They are involved in the process of turning the cooling chemicals in your AC unit from a liquid to a gas state while absorbing the heat that is sucked out of your home.
Clean your Drain Lines and Clear Clogs
Clogged drains will prevent your AC unit from working as smoothly and as energy efficient as possible. Make sure your drain lines are clear from clogs. We recommend calling some local Missoula HVAC experts to help you with that process.
Replace Old or Worn Pulleys and Belts
The belts and pulleys of your HVAC system connect your motor to the working parts of your system. Damage to these can cause a failure in your unit, which is why you need to check them for wear and tear before the hot weather starts rolling in.
Check for Mold, Debris, and Dust
Mold, debris, and dust in your HVAC unit can spell trouble for you and your family. Any debris inside your unit can be recirculated into your home, making for poor air quality. This can also be a real problem sickness and seasonal allergies. Make sure that you or your HVAC experts check for and cleans out any mold, debris, or dust in your unit.
Check your HVAC’s Humidity levels
Most HVAC experts recommend that your unit is keeping your home’s humidity levels between 40-50%. Your HVAC team will be able to test the humidity levels in your home to make sure your unit is working effectively. If your HVAC unit is unable to keep your home’s humidity below 50%, your HVAC expert may have to install or repair your HVAC unit’s dehumidifier to help better regulate the humidity in your home.
Check Your Refrigerant Charge and for Leaks
A leak in your refrigerant charge is another major reason that your HVAC unit may struggle to keep your home cool. This can lead to insufficient or inadequate cooling of your home and higher utility costs. Your local HVAC company can use a specialized dye detection process to check for refrigerant leaks and repair them accordingly.
Test Your Thermostat
Your thermostat is what gives you the ability to adjust the temperature of your home. Many times homeowners believe they have a problem with their heating or air conditioning unit, they may just be having issues with their thermostat. Your thermostat may just be having trouble sending signals to your HVAC unit. It could also be an older model that needs to be replaced.
Test Your Batteries
If you find your AC unit or thermostat isn’t working, you may just need to replace the batteries in your thermostat.
Check Electrical Connections
Poor, faulty, or loose electrical connections can make it seem like your unit isn’t working. Your local Missoula HVAC repair team will make sure to inspect this when they perform maintenance on your HVAC unit.
Other Preventative HVAC Maintenance
Some other maintenance that you or your HVAC team will want to perform includes:
- Inspect Your Fan Motor.
- Check Blowers and Blades.
- Lubricate Moving Parts.
- Check Your Cabinet for Closure and Leaks.
- Check Debris on the Outside of the Unit.
Fall and Winter HVAC Maintenance in Missoula
Just like you want to make sure your AC is working properly for spring and summer, you also want to make sure that your heating unit is working properly in the winter. Following this as a guide for maintenance and repair will help you keep your heating unit working efficiently and prevent the chances of having a breakdown during the cooler and frigid cold months of the year.
Replace Heating Equipment Filters
As we mentioned before, cleaning and replacing your filters is essential for making sure your HVAC unit is working properly.
Check Ignition Burner Assembly
Your ignition burner is one of the key components in heating your home. Make sure that it is assembled properly and working correctly.
Examine Heating Elements or Heat Exchanger
Your heating elements are another essential component in making sure you can effectively heat your home. Your local HVAC team will be able to make sure your elements and exchanger are working correctly.
Examine the Flue System
Your flue system is what effectively filters your exhaust gasses from your furnace or heating unit to the outside air.
Other Heating Unit Maintenance for Fall and Winter
There is a lot of overlap between performing regular HVAC maintenance for your unit during spring and summer as there is during fall and winter. Some of the overlapping aspects of making sure that your heater is in working condition for the cooler months of the year also include that you:
- Check the gas pressure you are getting from your unit.
- Check that your belts and pulleys are connected properly and in good condition.
- Clear pans and drain lines.
- Inspect electrical connections.
- Lubricate moving parts in your HVAC unit.
- Check your controls and thermostats.
- Check that your blower and fans are working properly.
- Examine and inspect the heat pump.
- Check the vents and ductwork connections and damage.
For furnaces you want to check to make sure that your system is attached and connected correctly to your furnace. Your HVAC team will also be able to check for gas leaks in your system.
HVAC Maintenance and Repair in Missoula
Don’t wait until you’re in an HVAC emergency. Make sure you conduct seasonal HVAC maintenance seasonally or make sure that trusted, local HVAC experts in Missoula take care of your HVAC unit regularly. For more information about HVAC maintenance and repair in Missoula, contact our team at Garden City Plumbing today.