The Importance of HVAC Maintenance in the Long Run

It's easy to not think about your HVAC system when it's working properly, but if you're not getting routine maintenance, something could go wrong and prevent it from working entirely without warning. Proper care of your air conditioner and heating system includes seeing to it that general maintenance gets performed. This means not only doing some maintenance chores yourself, but having a certified professional come take a look at it once a year or so. This can ensure that big problems don't sneak up on you and that your system retains the efficiency you've become accustomed to.

Air Conditioner

If you live in a warm climate, you probably couldn't deal with the temperature without your trusty air conditioner. Maintenance should include having a technician take a look at your refrigerant levels. This is better than waiting until the HVAC system is blowing warm air and being stuck without that cold, frosty air when the sweat is rolling off you at night. An undercharged system can also drain efficiency from the system, which is no good for your monthly electric bill. The system should be cleaned as well, and the components in charge of blowing the air should be adjusted as necessary.

Heating

As much as it may be uncomfortable to go through a few days of summer without the A/C, it is arguably worse to go through winter without the heater. As an essential part of your HVAC system, you should make sure your heater gets the attention it deserves in terms of maintenance. This means different things, depending on how your furnace works, of course. It could mean checking your gas levels and pressure, making sure your heat exchanger is up to par, and seeing to it that all of the necessary components are working smoothly. Cleaning out the furnace can reduce the impact of puffback, which is something you'll hopefully never have to deal with.

General

Of course, one of the best things you can do to keep your HVAC system working efficiently is to change the filter regularly. Dust and dirt gets caught in the filter and it can impede airflow if left that way. If you're only in the habit of changing out the filter every six months or so, you may want to consider increasing that schedule. Filters are cheap, after all. In lieu of that, you can always purchase a permanent filter and simply clean it out on a monthly basis.