For many of us, the heating and cooling systems in our homes are often forgotten.
Your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system runs in the background and actively works to keep you comfortable, so you don't need to pay much attention to it other than replacing your thermostat.
You always notice when your HVAC system stops working. Depending on whether you're facing a small issue or need a complete replacement, HVAC repairs can cost thousands of dollars while you wait inside your hot or cold home.
How can we avoid that confusion?
Although there is no guarantee that nothing will go wrong, regular and properly performed maintenance can make a big difference. Keeping your HVAC system up to date can help prevent power outages, reduce costs, and even maintain cleaner air.
However, much of this maintenance is not a practical task for the average person and requires expert opinion. Here's what you need to know about what to do to maintain your system and when to call in the professionals.
Why regular HVAC maintenance is important
Why should you maintain your HVAC system? The simplest answer is, “Because the manufacturer says you need to.”
“Maintenance is required to maintain the manufacturer's warranty,” said Chris Moerin, Regional Sales Manager, Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US. “That's in everyone's policy. So I guess that's the No. 1 thing.”
Manufacturers focus on regular maintenance. Because without it, the system will not work as intended. From replacement filters to coolant, your HVAC system is like your car in that it requires regular maintenance. Without this, your system may have problems without you even realizing it.
“The flip side of that is comfort and energy savings,” Morin says. “The system works…but the longer it goes without maintenance, the more it costs to operate. And by the time someone realizes there is a comfort problem, it costs a lot of money to operate.” Either you're wasting your time, or you're already at fault.”
With energy costs on the rise, identifying money wasted on HVAC is critical. Morin said that when METUS surveyed its customers last year, 46% spent more or less on their utility bills last summer to cool their homes, even though it was cooler than the year before. The answer is that they are spending a lot of money. And while energy costs are certainly a factor in that increase, Morin says more people than you realize may be doing themselves a disservice by neglecting maintenance.
“The most efficient systems are usually variable speed units,” he said. “Without maintenance, it tends to use more energy to provide the same amount of BTUs, so while you may not notice any comfort issues, your bills keep going up. On the other hand, with the old system, start fixing your comfort issues right away. Your bill won't go up, but you won't have any comfort.”
Just like with your car, proper HVAC maintenance also has a huge impact on the lifespan of your unit. Depending on your specific situation, lack of maintenance can cause direct damage or simply worsen the condition over time. You can also be exposed to mold spores and other irritants in the air without knowing what's in your body.
“Any nuisance calls or issues that are at the point where you're considering repairing or replacing the system are caught much earlier when you do annual maintenance,” Morin said. “Refrigerant leaks that affect compressor operation, mold that grows in water and dark areas, and are often caused by lack of maintenance, not changing filters, or not cleaning drains. It starts to get worse as the months go by.”
When to call a professional for HVAC maintenance
Does the desire to better maintain your HVAC system mean you need to start doing the work yourself? Not necessarily.
Fortunately, there are some basic maintenance items that anyone can do at home. For example, changing filters is a very important task that virtually anyone can do and can have a big impact on air quality. HVAC filters typically need to be replaced approximately every 30 days. A clean filter allows more air to pass through, allowing the system to heat and cool more efficiently.
At the same time as you replace the filter, look around to make sure condensation is draining properly, the access door is closed, the thermostat battery is full, and everything else is in order. .
Similarly, make sure there are no boxes, trees, bushes, or other debris surrounding your HVAC unit. This allows for proper airflow and easy access.
But beyond these basics, most people will want to call a professional. In Morin's experience, many people are rather cautious when it comes to air conditioning in their homes.
“I think some people always want to leave it to the experts,” he says. “Some home service companies offer services that also include plumbing maintenance and other things. There are some, but they can be a bit over the top and can get you into a bit of trouble.”
Manufacturers often make it clear in their user manuals whether certain tasks must be performed by a professional. “We have very clear operating manuals for all of our systems that tell the homeowner what to do and what they can do,” Morin said. “And then there are recommendations like, 'If you see something, call a professional.' You'll probably need an EPA certification to check things like refrigerant levels.”
If you don't own a home, there's one variable you need to be aware of. The renter is not responsible for maintaining her HVAC system, aside from perhaps replacing filters, but she should be aware of any problems that may arise down the road. Ultimately, they are the ones who will be dealing with interruptions, so you need to alert your landlord to any potential changes or issues.
“Renters are always in a tough spot,” Morin said. “If they're paying for electricity, especially for heat pumps and air conditioning, you want to make sure they're more proactive about maintenance. If it's not in the[lease]then It's not their responsibility to do that.''Depending on the type of system you have, simply making sure the filters are cleaned regularly may be enough to fix the problem. ”
How to maintain your HVAC system
HVAC systems have been around for decades, come in a variety of styles and manufacturers, and are set up very differently from home to home. This means that there is no set guide or method for maintaining your system.
But in addition to replacing filters, Morin has one important tip for just about everyone. That is, “people should be more proactive about all systems.''
gas furnace maintenance
Given the right circumstances, gas furnace maintenance isn't very expensive or difficult. As with any system, annual maintenance calls should be performed on a regular basis so that the technician can make sure everything is working properly.
This aggressiveness is actually a little more important in a gas furnace because of its heating method. Because gas does not produce soot, some people assume that it is working properly even if it is not undergoing regular maintenance. Also, as with any gas-related item, it is important to ensure that gas is not leaking from unexpected places.
In general, problems can begin to occur with gas furnaces without a novice noticing, so it is important to catch problems early.
“Then all the other problems start to creep in,” Morin says.
Air conditioner maintenance
Air conditioners contain condensation and moisture, so cleaning and replacing filters is very important to the operation of your air conditioner.
In general, air conditioners are resilient systems that will continue to operate even when they are not working at their most efficient.
“While it may seem like your air conditioner is blowing cold air to some people, the longer it goes without maintenance, the more it will cost to operate,” he says. “By the time someone realizes there's a comfort issue, they've probably wasted a lot of money operating it, or it's already broken.”
Morin's biggest recommendation is to schedule air conditioner maintenance during off-peak summer hours. By scheduling your visit by mid-April, before most parts of the country get hot, you can reduce costs and help technicians during the hot summer months when everyone is facing the same problem. You no longer have to wait for your troops to find time.
“Good contractors tend to reach out to their customer base before it really gets warm, so they can schedule at a good time before the heat wave hits,” Morin said. Ta. “If a system breaks down, isn't maintained, and it's really hot, everyone is going to call. So we don't have the capacity to respond to everyone. By doing maintenance early, we can help contractors and customers. It helps to level out labor requirements and keeps prices affordable for customers during less busy times.”
heat pump maintenance
As with any other type of unit, Morin recommends professional maintenance of your heat pump at least once a year.
In most cases, heat pump maintenance is primarily preventative, with unit efficiency and potential cost savings more important than ensuring safety. Generally, heat pumps have a lifespan of up to 20 years and usually come with a warranty of at least 10 years.
However, just because it's working doesn't mean it doesn't need maintenance, so be sure to schedule maintenance regularly. And similar to his advice for air conditioners, Morin suggests scheduling heat pump maintenance in the spring, after the coldest part of the season. That way, you can skip the rush and potentially save yourself a few bucks.
For those considering switching HVAC methods, heat pumps can be a good option. That's because, due to its clean operation, those who make the switch are now offered tax benefits and discounts on utility bills.
Maintenance of oil furnaces and electric furnaces
For the average resident, there is not much difference in the maintenance of oil or electric furnaces when compared to traditional gas furnaces.
Internally, these units function very differently. However, unless you are an informed professional working on these units, you are unlikely to encounter anything specific to these units that will change your personal maintenance practices.
As with any HVAC system, you should always change filters, pay attention to changes, and keep the area clean. Also, like everything else, it's a good idea to schedule annual maintenance to make sure there aren't any issues occurring in the background.
What does the future of HVAC look like?
Some older HVAC methods, such as boilers and oil furnaces, are in the midst of a long process of being phased out in favor of cleaner, more efficient technologies. That said, Morin expects his HVAC standards in residential spaces to change over the next few years.
So what's the right solution for someone buying a new system? The answer may be frustrating, but it's the only accurate answer.
“When we talk about system selection, the most important thing is that it's properly sized,” says Morin. “There is a process to sizing. Even if you are replacing a system, the conditions inside your home will change. You actually have to size your system based on your current home. Then you Start responding to your needs.”
These needs could focus on air quality for families with children with asthma, or the comfort of a single room, especially for people working from home, he said. Ta.
But no matter what kind of system you have or plan to have in place, it should be looked at regularly.