HVAC Maintenance to Get Ready for Fall and Winter

HVAC Maintenance to Get Ready for Fall and Winter

HVAC Maintenance to Get Ready for Fall and Winter

HVAC Maintenance to Get Ready for Fall and Winter

Summary

A regular HVAC maintenance schedule is vital for the efficient functioning of your system all through the fall and winter. When you adequately cover the essential maintenance items, it sets you up for efficiency throughout the season. Though it may seem daunting, this article guides you on the best way to achieve your objective.

YouTube video

What is HVAC?

HVAC is an integrated piece of technology that regulates the air temperature in your home or workplace. The acronym stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The equipment is valuable all season round, making your living spaces relaxing.

The challenge with HVAC, however, is the need for regular maintenance of the different units that make up the whole. This article focuses on how to prepare your HVAC for fall and winter.

How Do I Prepare My HVAC for Fall?

How Do I Prepare My HVAC for Fall?

The fall months provide the best time to prepare your HVAC for winter. In previous warmer months, your HVAC is mainly for cooling. As fall is right before winter, getting ready is crucial to keep warm and safe.

In keeping your HVAC in shape for winter, the unit has two sides to get ready: outdoor and indoor units.

Prepare Your HVAC’s Outdoor Unit

The task is to inspect the outdoor unit for items obstructing your HVAC, and you can conduct this aspect yourself. Better still, invite your HVAC technician if you want a professional touch.

  • Look out for clutter. No matter where your HVAC is installed, see if any item obstructs its space. Unlike a compressor for cooling, the furnace comes with fire, and any careless items around it could go up in flames.
  • Clear debris. Like clutter, owing to the long idle time, cobwebs and dust may have accumulated to cause the system to malfunction. You must find and clear such debris before starting your system for fall.
  • Clean the exhaust. The furnace exhaust needs to be free of carbon deposits. Also, look out for vents and ensure they are also ready.

Prepare the Indoor Unit

Furnaces have fire inside. It emits carbon monoxide and uses natural gas to heat your home. These volatile elements make handling indoor unit maintenance a job for the experts! Get a professional HVAC service technician to take charge.

The expert HVAC technician will carry out the following tasks:

  • Check and replace the filters.
  • Check and change the indoor humidity filters.
  • Check the thermostat for efficiency.
  • Inspect the drain and line connections.
  • Clean floor and ceiling vents.
  • Clear any item blocking the vents.
  • Reverse fan direction to blow warm air downward.

What Does Fall HVAC Service Include?

The fall service includes a long HVAC maintenance checklist to take care of your heating system for winter. Done correctly, it improves the unit’s lifespan by about 48% and saves up to 15% in energy expenses. The service includes the following:

  1. Clear drain lines and pans. Stagnant water breeds mold and mildew. Left for a long time, this attracts vermin and puts your family at risk for health issues.
  2. Clean the register and ducts. A clean HVAC is an efficient system. Cleaning the register and ducts allows your furnace to perform at optimal efficiency.
  3. Reprogram thermostat. During summer, your thermostat setting is cooling; it needs reprogramming to heat your home.
  4. Clear any item that can catch fire. Keep away any item that can lead to a fire outbreak from the vicinity of the HVAC.
  5. Ensure proper insulation. Any heat leak from your home results in high energy bills as your system works twice as hard to comfort you.
  6. Test the unit. Power the unit to be sure of its readiness for winter. During the test, listen for any unusual noises. Such noises may be due to loose bolts or blockage in the duct.

What Maintenance Items Should You Check During A Seasonal Start-up HVAC?

Seasonal startup HVAC maintenance guarantees your comfort all year round. This process improves energy use by 20% and saves you money.

While it is crucial to follow all of the suggestions above, the following items are worth repeating for emphasis:

  1. Engage a professional HVAC service company for thorough seasonal startup inspection.
  2. Clear the supply return vents.
  3. Inspect and clean the condensate drain.
  4. Change the air filters.
  5. Have moving parts lubricated.
  6. Adjust and clean blowers.
  7. Inspect the thermostat.
  8. Test system controls.

How Do I Get My HVAC Ready for Winter?

It bears repeating the need for regular HVAC maintenance for the longevity of your equipment. If you are in doubt about where to begin your HVAC preparations for winter, follow the outline below.

  1. Schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment in the fall.
  2. Resist the temptation to turn on your system before inspection and servicing.
  3. Climate zone your home for proper heating.
  4. Test-run your furnace at least three times before winter.
  5. Ensure clean and functional filters and vents.

Need Help Getting Your HVAC Ready for Fall?

Need Help Getting Your HVAC Ready for Fall?

Getting a reliable HVAC maintenance professional is the best preparation for the fall. An expert HVAC technician saves you valuable time and money and ensures comfort in the cold seasons.

If you are in the Coachella Valley or the Inland Empire area, there is no need to search for HVAC maintenance near me, as Anthem is available to help.

Anthem is a reliable commercial and residential HVAC service company with decades of experience helping homeowners get comfortable all year round.

Call (760) 895-2621now for a free estimate or schedule an appointment!

If you live around the Coachella Valley area – Indio, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, or La Quinta – a reputable heating and air conditioning repair and provider company is nearby. Let Anthem Heating & Air help you with all your air conditioning and heating questions and needs! Visit us at www.anthemcv.com or call now at (760) 895-2621.

What Maintenance Does My Air Conditioner Regularly Need?

Maintenance Air Conditioner Regularly Needs

Summary

Maintaining your air conditioner is extremely important. Regular maintenance helps you enjoy the amazing benefits and save you money. A poorly maintained AC is a risk to your family and you, and it also drains your hard-earned money. This article discusses what maintenance your AC needs to run efficiently!

Introduction

Your air conditioner comprises several parts and components that need to work harmoniously. Some of the parts run on electricity while others do not. Without regular maintenance, these parts and components accumulate debris and dust, leading to malfunction.

Also, a faulty AC could cause several problems, including health issues, high energy bills, and discomfort.

What Is AC maintenance?

It is the regular servicing given to your cooling system. Such routine care takes care of the indoor and outdoor parts and components of your AC for effective and efficient performance.

Such care is technically called scheduled maintenance. This plan is a timeframe to inspect your AC, locate likely faults, and fix them to prevent bigger issues from happening.

If a fault is allowed to linger, it could hinder the system’s smooth performance or cause it to stop working altogether. Scheduled maintenance occurs at a repeatable interval – three months, six months, or one year.

What to Maintain in an HVAC Unit

An HVAC maintenance plan keeps your cooling system running smoothly and efficiently. Your HVAC is divided into two distinct parts – Outdoor and Indoor units.

  • Indoor part maintenance. This includes cleaning and removing dirt and dust from the evaporator and coil fins. Build up of dirt can cause the part to corrode and create damage.
  • Outdoor part maintenance. You need to take proper care of the outdoor unit because of possible environmental hazards. Remove debris, tree leaves, and fallen branches and clear the surrounding overgrown bushes. Also, clean the condenser coils to prevent corrosion.

For efficiency, you should plan your scheduled maintenance around both these units. Also, note that there are more components you need to maintain within the outdoor and indoor units.

YouTube video

Common Types of AC Components to Maintain

Air conditioners can run for a long time without maintenance. However, it is best to plan scheduled or preventive maintenance to prevent a sudden system breakdown.

The following components are essential parts you should regularly maintain to keep your AC running uninterrupted.

  • Fan blades. This component helps to prevent your AC from overheating. It requires regular care, including lubrication, to keep it running smoothly. A malfunctioning blade is often noisy and could damage your AC if not fixed ASAP!
  • Electrical cable. Due to pest activities, an AC cable could be damaged, leading to a short out, and your AC may stop working. It’s worth the care for your safety!
  • Compressor. Any issue with an AC compressor affects the performance. An issue as simple as oil accumulation might render the component unserviceable. Scheduled maintenance detects and prevents any compressor fault before it becomes a concern.
  • Filters. These are an important component that helps the AC run smoothly. Regular maintenance is advised to kick out dust and debris that could cause filter failure.
  • Tightening bolts and screws. A newly installed HVAC is noiseless and works almost silently thanks to the tight bolts and screws that firmly hold the parts together. After using your AC for a while, there is a tendency for the bolts and screws to loosen and vibrate. A little care gets the bolts and screws back to new.
  • Coils. The evaporator and condenser coils collect lots of dust. As your HVAC runs, dust accumulates and clogs the component, reducing airflow and insulating the coils, causing them to absorb heat. Preventive maintenance is necessary to keep your AC coils clean.
  • Flaps. A flap opens or closes the airflow through the ducts or pipes. When there is a debris deposit that interferes with the movement of the flaps, it causes a flapping sound. Timely cleaning of the flap prevents such annoying noise.
  • Ducts. Your Ac needs thorough air duct maintenance once a year or every two years. During the maintenance, your technician will vacuum the vents and clear any dust or debris that may clog the passage.
  • Blower. While cleaning the duct, it is essential to clear the blower wheel to allow your AC to breathe.
  • Thermostat. When it malfunctions, it tends to cause you to worry and suspect the wrong problems. The thermostat needs to be checked for optimum performance from time to time.
  • Coolant. Even if every other component works perfectly, your AC will not cool without the right amount of coolant – the refrigerant level needs to be maintained.
  • Dischargers. Your AC releases cool air through the dischargers. Blocked dischargers could cause severe health issues when blocked because of dangerous gases being emitted. It is crucial to ensure all dischargers’ areas are cleared of any blockage for free airflow.
  • Condensate drains. You need to free these of debris or dust and make them clogged-free! Pass a hard rod through to clear any clog. A clogged drain causes high humidity, which promotes excess moisture resulting in droplets that discolor the floor.

Can You Handle AC Maintenance Yourself?

In your HVAC unit, there are maintenance tasks that you can do yourself. However, you do need a good maintenance plan to achieve optimum results.

  • Clean your HVAC surroundings. Clean any debris. Cut tree branches and outgrown bushes that might cover the outdoor installation.
  • Clear fan blades. The blade area attracts dust and debris. Make sure to keep it clean always.
  • Check the thermostat. To keep the AC working perfectly, always ensure the thermostat is in perfect working condition and at the correct setting.
  • Keep the vent area clear. You should remove any blockage around the vent to allow some breathing space for the AC.

Maintenance Reserved for a Qualified HVAC Technician

An HVAC is a sophisticated piece of equipment and requires regular maintenance. It needs a qualified technician to run efficiently.

Though there are parts for DIY maintenance, other parts and components servicing are exclusive to an experienced technician.

You need a qualified AC technician to maintain your AC at least once a year. However, it is to your advantage to service more often if you use the system all day.

Regular maintenance helps your air conditioner function optimally without wasting your hard-earned money.

HVAC maintenance

Do You Need an HVAC Expert to Maintain Your AC?

Due to the hi-tech and sophistication of HVAC, successful servicing of the equipment is largely for a professional technician. While there are many HVAC companies delivering quality services, a few technicians need extra training.

If you are a homeowner around the Inland Empire or Coachella Valley areas and need a qualified and experienced HVAC technician, Anthem air conditioning and heating company is your right choice.

Anthem aims to make it as easy as possible for homeowners to maintain high-performing HVAC to make their homes more comfortable and energy-efficient.

Contact Anthem now to extend the smooth functioning of your cooling and heating system within budget!

How Does an Air Duct System Work?

How Does An Air Duct System Work

HVAC ducts and air vents are hidden components of your HVAC system, and they are responsible for ensuring adequate air circulation in your home. The hidden HVAC ductwork may malfunction, causing excess dust, uneven room temperatures, high electricity bills, and other air duct issues.

YouTube video

While some homeowners may keep up with regular HVAC maintenance and even air duct cleaning, they may not know the air duct system exists or how it works.

So, what is HVAC ductwork, and how does the air duct system work?

What is HVAC Ductwork? 

Air ducts or AC ducts are the collections of conduits responsible for supplying cold or warm air to cool and heat each room. The air ducts connect to the HVAC unit, which filters and heats or cools the air before sending it off to your rooms.

Therefore, HVAC ductwork installation is a vital component of your HVAC system. The air ducts reduce the strain on your HVAC equipment, prolonging its life and saving you money in energy costs. Proper air duct cleaning ensures fewer dust particles and eliminates excessive allergens and germs floating in the air.

If you are experiencing problems with your HVAC unit, it could be time to have an air duct repair or replacement. To understand why air duct replacement and repair may be necessary, let’s look at how the hidden air ducts work.

How Do Air Duct Systems Work? 

To understand how the HVAC ductwork functions, let’s break down the different components of your air ducts.

Pipes and Trunks 

The pipes and trunks are often the main channels connecting to an air handler and providing the conduit for warm or cooled air that flows into each room. The duct trunk is the large main trunk made of steel and flows from the furnace. On the other side, the flexible piping made of aluminum connects the trunk to each room of your home.

Duct Connectors and Specialized Transitions

During HVAC ductwork installation, the HVAC installers must connect the air ducts according to the shape of your house. The pipes and trunks mentioned above use duct connectors and specialized transitions to follow the correct paths and allow air to pass through your rooms.

Plenum

The plenum is a significant component that stores air for the HVAC systems, and it is attached to various ducts. Your ductwork features the supply and the return plenums. The HVAC system fills the supply plenum with cooled or heated air sent through the ductwork. Ducts transfer the returned air to the return plenum, and the returned air flows to the outside through a flue or flows to the filtration before heading back to the system.

Flues 

The flues carry the toxic gases created during the heating and cooling process and vent these gases to the outside. If the returned plenum fails to recycle the returned air, it is vented outside through the flue.

Refrigerant Lines 

The refrigerant lines occur inside the HVAC system, bringing refrigerant into the compressors. The refrigerant allows the HVAC unit to cool or heat your air.

Air Handlers

The air handler is the component where the blower fan and the filter move the air through ductwork. The air handler includes the heating and cooling coils.

Drain Pans and Lines 

Finally, the HVAC ducts consist of the drain pans responsible for draining water due to condensation in heating, cooling, and dehumidifying the air.

Conclusion 

The HVAC ductwork plays a critical role in the air quality in your home. If your HVAC unit shows deteriorated functioning, maybe the HVAC experts should examine the ductwork and perform the necessary maintenance. Therefore, do not hesitate to contact a professional HVAC technician for proper HVAC ductwork inspection, repair, or replacement.

duct

Frequently Asked Questions

When Should I Replace or Repair HVAC Ductwork? 

Contact HVAC technicians for air ducts inspection if you are experiencing hot and cold spots, little or no airflow from the supply vent, sudden surge of utility bills, loud noises from the HVAC system, or poor indoor air quality. The HVAC specialist will conduct air duct testing and inspection and recommend whether repair or replacement is the best option.

What are the Types of HVAC Duct Systems? 

The two main types of ductwork are flexible ductwork and rigid ductwork. The flexible round tubes feature steel wire helixes covered in flexible but durable plastic. Rigid ductwork features sheet metal or fiberglass-lined ducts.

Does Cleaning Air Ducts Make a difference? 

Air ducts get dirty over time and should be cleaned regularly. To ensure proper air duct cleaning, engage the services of a professional HVAC technician. A careless or untrained technician can damage the air ducts, leading to an increased cost of heating and cooling.

How Often You Need to Clean Your Ducts (& Why)

Anthem Heating and Air Duct Cleaning

Anthem Heating and Air Duct Cleaning

Is the Air in Your Home Healthy? What You Should Know

One of the main causes of indoor air quality issues is the presence of dust, allergens, or bad smells. The quality of air in our homes can be improved by reducing the amount of dust. 

The heating and air ducts in your home can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. So, make sure you hire a professional to clean them to ensure your home has a clean heating and air system. We will answer any questions you have about duct cleaning and make sure your system is free from mold or bacteria.

Some may think that there is not much they can do to improve their indoor air quality. But there are plenty of different things we can do, including using better cleaners, changing furnace filters more often, and cleaning the ducts.

What is Duct Cleaning?

Duct cleaning is the process of removing dust and other debris from heating and cooling systems. This is an important step in preventive home maintenance. Because facility ducts can go uncleaned for many years, dust builds up and needs to be cleaned as it can lead to poor indoor air quality, can cause allergies, and can even cause lung cancer.

How to Tell if You Need to Clean Your Ducts

Hire a professional to clean your ducts if you notice any, or all, of the following:

– You have strong allergies in your home.

– Your home smells bad.

– You can’t afford to buy an air filter for your whole house.

– You see dark stains on the ceiling or walls of the room where the return vent is located.

Can I Do It Myself, or Do I Need a Professional to Help?

Vent cleaning is not something you can do yourself. A professional needs to clean the venting system of your home for you.

The reason is because of the amount of time and the machinery involved. The average person does not have the time or the knowledge to do it properly, so it’s better to call in a professional who does this for a living.

How Do I Prepare My Home for Duct Cleaning?

A professional from the company will set up in one part of the house. He will remove the vent covers and contain all contaminated items within his machinery. Duct cleaning can be a little noisy during the process, but the machine usually runs only a couple of hours. The professional also makes sure no dust contaminants are released into your home during the process. 

Anthem Heating and Air Duct Cleaning

Hire a Professional Today for Clean Ducts and Clean Air in Your Home!

Anthem Heating and Air can answer all your questions regarding duct cleaning. They make sure your home has a clean heating and air duct system and cleaner air!