What to Expect During an HVAC Maintenance Appointment

Heating and cooling systems require appropriate annual maintenance to work well.  Discover what to expect during the professional visit.

You can only count on your home's heating and cooling systems to work reliably and comfortably with routine maintenance. The homeowner can do some HVAC maintenance, but you should call a professional, such as Best Owner Direct HVAC, for more significant inspections.

Your best bet is to find out whether a reputable HVAC service provider in your area gives annual maintenance contracts and compare pricing. For a detailed explanation of HVAC service calls, read on.

1. Electrical connections

These should be tightened, tested, and, if necessary, replaced. Overheating, equipment failure, and fire dangers can all result from loose connections. At least once a year, the best home HVAC contractors should inspect all connections in your A/C equipment.

2. Thermostat operation and calibration

Calibration of a thermostat is a test to see if it is displaying the right temperature. Maintenance of system performance requires periodic cycling of equipment on and off during measurements. Money can be saved on energy costs and maintenance fees with a properly adjusted thermostat.

3. Blower Motor operation

Without a functional blower motor, your heater or air conditioner is useless. Your fan and motor should undergo a thorough mechanical and electrical check once a year.

4. System safety devices

During this part of heating maintenance, we make sure the furnace and exhaust are safe to use. Preventing refrigerant leaks from air conditioners is a good way to keep them running for a long time. Power consumption must be tracked for both types of systems.

5. Indoor and outdoor coils

Your air conditioner's coils could spring a leak at any time. To get the most out of either, you should clean them thoroughly at least once a year. Maintenance and replacement of residential HVAC equipment can be quite pricey if the coils are dirty.

6. Refrigerant levels

A closed-loop system describes your current HVAC setup. The system's refrigerant flows via a network of pipes before looping back to its starting place. Maintaining this virtuous cycle necessitates constant vigilance in detecting and correcting any flaws. You shouldn't add any more refrigerant or "top it off." But leaks can happen by accident, and if they go unnoticed for too long, they can cause critical parts to fail catastrophically.

7. Heat Combustion & Exchangers

The main chamber of your furnace is the heat exchanger. The flame enters and passes through the heat exchanger. The heat is then transferred to the air passing past the exchanger. It eventually exits the exchanger as exhaust, vented outside via the furnace exhaust. Your heat exchanger should meet strict limitations and hygiene requirements. Otherwise, carbon monoxide and other poisons could flow into your home's HVAC system.

8. Air filters

An experienced HVAC professional would recognize that your furnace filter should be changed significantly more frequently than once a year. This phase should ideally take place every two months. Your system will remain clean and free of the effects of reduced airflow. During each cycle, your heating and cooling systems demand a certain amount of airflow. The most common source of airflow problems is a dirty filter.

These eight sections encompass the most common maintenance performed during an HVAC maintenance appointment. Aside from regular preventative maintenance, some local HVAC firms advocate frequent tune-ups.

What happens during HVAC Maintenance tune-ups?

Inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining the unit are the three most important steps in HVAC maintenance and repair for a home. Repairs could be part of the service, but that will depend on what is found during the inspection.

• Inspection

Most home HVAC companies will start with an inspection of your existing system. A single appointment can take care of all your tuning needs. An alternate option is to have the air conditioner and furnace serviced annually. A technician may inspect the drain pan, the refrigerant levels, and other parts of an air conditioner. They will inspect the furnace's compressor and motor to ensure everything is working properly.

• Cleaning

Whether you're doing a tune-up on your air conditioner, furnace, or both, cleaning is always a must. Even if you keep your system in good shape and change your air filters often, you will still need professional cleaning. This will ensure that it remains in top shape.

• Maintenance

When it comes to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), your home will get the most return on investment. You can count on the specialist to repair any problems with your HVAC system. Your residential HVAC contractor may recommend replacing worn-out parts to prevent further costly damage. 

The technician will check for leaks and replenish your system if the refrigerant levels are low. Consistent and efficient performance depends on parts like capacitors and fan blades. It's preferable to plan these brief, inexpensive trips ahead of time rather than risk a more significant breakdown in health.

The best defense against unscheduled residential HVAC repairs is regular maintenance. If your heating or cooling system needs fixing, hire a service from Best Owner Direct HVAC that can make your home as cozy as possible. We serve Washington County and beyond. Book your appointment with us online or give us a call.