Beehive Plumbing is always happy to provide HVAC services throughout the north-central portion of Utah. So whether you live in Salt Lake, Utah, or Davis counties, we are here for you. In between visits, there are some things you can do to maintain your system and avoid costly repairs down the road.
Below is our guide to basic homeowner HVAC maintenance. You can follow these tips whether your home is equipped with a combined HVAC system or separate furnace and air conditioning units. If you ever have questions or need help with your equipment, don’t hesitate to call us.
Don’t Take the Filter for Granted
The easiest and fastest HVAC maintenance task is changing your air filter. Do not take the filter for granted. In other words, don’t just assume it will continue performing admirably until the end of time. Filters do not work that way. They need to be changed regularly.
Your air filter is designed to trap dirt, debris, and contaminants before they re-enter the HVAC system. They work like any other filter. The more particles they collect, the more difficult it is for air to flow through the filter. So failing to change the filter only forces your HVAC system to work harder.
A general industry rule is to change filters every three months. But here in Utah, where we deal with indoor air quality issues, you might be better off changing the filter every month or two. Here is our rule: if it looks dirty, change it.
Maintain Vents and Registers
Next, we recommend maintaining all the vents and registers in your home. Maintenance involves two things:
- Wiping down and vacuuming them whenever you change the filter.
- Making sure furniture does not block vents and registers, window treatments, clutter, etc.
Anything that impedes airflow forces your HVAC system to work harder. The harder it needs to work, the faster it will wear out. Just by keeping vents and registers clean and clutter-free, you will extend the life of your system.
Maintain the Exterior Unit
If your home is equipped with a combined HVAC system, the chances are pretty good that your air conditioner is an exterior unit. Do your best to maintain it within reason. You do not have to pull it apart and try to service it yourself, but make sure to keep it clear of leaves, dirt, and debris.
Also trim any landscaping to leave at least a couple of feet of clearance around the unit. You can hose down the compressor to get rid of surface dirt and debris. Also, be sure to check the drain every now and again. It can get clogged by all sorts of organic material.
Schedule Regular Tune-Ups
Faithfully remembering the previous three practices will keep your unit in good shape. One last thing we recommend is to schedule regular tune-ups. At least once or twice a year, have us out to inspect and tune up your system. The spring and fall are the two best times for seasonal tune-ups.
Tune-ups involve checking refrigerant levels, combustion systems, electrical components, ductwork, and more. We can also calibrate your thermostat if necessary. Why semi-annual tune-ups? Think of them like oil changes for your car. Tune-ups reduce the risk of catastrophic failure by making sure everything is working properly.
Even the best HVAC systems inevitably fail. Nothing lasts forever. But with a little preventative maintenance on your part, you can extend your system’s life for as long as possible. The better your system is maintained, the less likely you are to need expensive repair services.