Simple HVAC Maintenance

There are many reasons that an HVAC system could not work properly, enough to write a whole book about. But here I will teach you a couple of preventive maintenance tips that will help your HVAC system run at its maximum efficiency.

I will be referring to the air handler and the condensing unit a lot. To make things perfectly clear the air handler is inside, usually in a closet, and the condensing unit is outside of the home.

The first thing you can do is to make sure that you have a clean air filter at all times. You should check it and replace it once a month, depending on what type of air filter you have. If you have a dirty air filter the air will be restricted and cause your HVAC system to operate less efficient.

Keeping your condensate line in your central air conditioning system is another easy thing to do that will prevent many problems. The easiest way that you can do this is by getting some slime tabs and placing them in the drip pan, inside the air handler once a month.

If the unit shuts off you will have to reset the float switch which is located right by the air handler. Lift up on the switch and the HVAC system should restart, to prevent flooding you will need to clean the line out, unless you want to put a bucket there and keep dumping it.

Keeping both sets of coils clean on both the air handler and the condensing unit will also help prevent problems. Keeping the air handler coils clean is easy, all you have to do is make sure that you have a clean air filter inserted at all times. Over time they may get dirty still, but there are many coil cleaners that are out there in the market you can use.

The outside coils usually do not get dirty as often as the ones that are located inside. The problem that happens most is bushes, leaves, plants, that are close to the condensing unit and block the hot air that is trying to be blown out. So make sure your condensing unit has a couple of feet of free space all the way around it.

Refrigerant leaks are also very common on HVAC systems. If your HVAC system is not blowing cool air, and the condenser is not blowing out hot air then you could have a refrigerant leak. If this is the case it must be fixed by a certified HVAC technician.

If you follow just these few HVAC preventive maintenance tips you can avoid a lot of problems with the way your system runs. Not everything can be prevented but these should help you out a lot with your HVAC system.