Heating and Air Maintenance Should Be Performed Regularly

How much does it cost to run your heating and air conditioning? Over the past few months or years, have you noticed a steady increase in the amount that you pay monthly? This increase could be due to, in part, a lack of maintenance. If you haven't been keeping a close eye on this equipment, there is a chance that you have some problems that will need to be addressed by the professionals. The best way to make sure that everything continues to run smoothly and efficiently is to set up a maintenance schedule.

How many checkups are necessary?

Heating and air maintenance can all be handled at one checkup. Most people schedule two appointments yearly; one to handle the heat equipment before the temperatures drop and one to handle the cooling system before the summertime gets started. How many appointments you schedule in the year is completely up to you. Consider contacting a professional in your area for a recommendation.

What does a checkup consist of?

When a technician handles the maintenance, he has a checklist for the appointment. He looks over the thermostat and makes sure that it is working properly. If it isn't, it could be causing unnecessary damage to your heating and air conditioning. The less efficient the system, the more you are going to pay on your monthly utility bills. Once this is complete, he moves on to the main equipment.

All electrical connections should be checked. Any that are loose should be immediately tightened. This is more than just an efficiency issue. This is also a safety concern as faulty connections can cause damage to the equipment and the home and in some cases, put a family in danger. Voltage and current also needs to be measured to ensure that everything is working properly.

All parts should be lubricated. When friction occurs, the system needs to work harder to produce the same results. This means that in some cases, the parts could be wearing down sooner. It also means that it takes more electricity to keep these parts moving consistently.

Most equipment has a condensation drain so that the excess water does not build up. A technician will look at the drain and make sure that there are no obstructions. A sign of trouble is often an excess of humidity inside the home. If there is a clog, it could cause water damage to the home as well as the heating and air equipment. Repair and replacement is often expensive and something you want to avoid.

Each of the controls also needs to be examined to ensure that each one is working properly. This means examining how the heating and air equipment turns on and how long it takes for the temperature in the home to change. The technician will also turn off the equipment and check to ensure that everything shuts down properly.