The HVAC system is a vital part of any home. It helps maintain the temperature and humidity levels in the house. However, it becomes a massive problem for the homeowner when it starts to fail.
Your heating and cooling system is one of your home’s most important—and expensive—systems, so it’s essential to keep it running smoothly. That’s why scheduling routine inspection services and performing routine maintenance is necessary.
So when should you schedule routine HVAC services? That’s a great question! Keep reading, and you’ll learn when is the best time to perform regular HVAC Services.
When Should You Schedule an Inspection?
So you’ve bought a new HVAC unit for your house, and it’s doing a great job this winter keeping you warm. However, have you considered how much better the air unit could be if you did some maintenance to it regularly?
If you’re not familiar with HVAC terms and vocabulary, the process of maintaining your new system might sound too complicated. But simplifying it is easy – you only need to set up a routine maintenance check once per season, and a regular check-up is enough.
Routine HVAC services should be scheduled at least once a year to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently.
Ideally, you should schedule these services in the spring, before the hot summer, or before the winter months. You should have your routine HVAC services scheduled in the spring and fall.
This is because these are the two seasons when your HVAC system will work the hardest. Scheduling your routine HVAC services in the spring and fall will help ensure that your system runs properly and efficiently.
Many people avoid HVAC service in the summer. The heat is not the only reason many insurance companies pay for HVAC service during winter, but they don’t cover it during summer. This will help ensure that your AC unit is ready to go when you need it the most.
Additionally, scheduling routine services in the spring will help you avoid the peak season rush and pricing.
If you’re unsure how often you should schedule HVAC services, talk to a professional. Find the best HVAC company near you. Ask for their packaged deals and check out their client reviews.
They can help you determine a schedule that will keep your system running smoothly and help prevent significant issues.
What Is a Routine HVAC Inspection?
HVAC service is a term used to describe the maintenance and inspection of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. HVACs in office buildings, schools, hospitals, and other commercial buildings are inspected regularly.
The importance of HVAC maintenance can’t be stressed enough. It ensures that your system works at the optimal efficiency level. This, in turn, saves you money on your energy bills and prolongs your system’s life.
A routine HVAC inspection is a process to ensure that the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in your home are running in peak condition.
The HVAC technician will check the following things:
- The furnace for any signs of rust or corrosion
- The air conditioner for any leaks or dirt
- The ducts for any holes or animal nests
Benefits of Routine HVAC Services
The service inspection is a preventive maintenance program designed to ensure your heating and cooling systems perform at their best. Routine service inspections aim to identify potential problems before they happen.
The main goal of the inspection is to identify any potential problems with the unit or system and then recommend corrective action. Having a routine service inspection done on your HVAC equipment has many benefits.
Some benefits include:
- Improved efficiency
- Reduced energy consumption
- Reduced risk of breakdowns and repairs
- Increased comfort
- Reduced maintenance cost
- Improved indoor air quality
What Is Included in a Routine HVAC Service?
When deciding whether to get your HVAC serviced, it is essential to know the difference between seasonal and routine maintenance.
Seasonal maintenance is a process that is only necessary for the winter months when your unit may be running more often. However, routine maintenance should be done no matter the time of year.
Routine Maintenance typically includes:
- Cleaning the filters
- Checking for leaks in pipes and joints
- Checking for insulation problems
- Checking for refrigerant leaks
- Checking for proper pressure levels
Seasonal maintenance typically performs:
- Cleaning air ducts and vents
- Checking for broken belts
- Inspecting the unit for signs of damage
- Check for refrigerant leaks
- Checking for proper pressure levels
How Often Should You Schedule HVAC Services?
You should have your routine HVAC services performed twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. This ensures that your system runs efficiently and correctly and helps prevent unforeseen issues.
Here are some considerations on how often you should schedule routine maintenance for your furnace or heating system.
Type and Age of Your HVAC System
Generally, the type of HVAC system will determine what kind of routine inspection must be performed.
The other consideration is the age of your HVAC system. Systems over 10 years old need routine maintenance yearly to ensure their longevity. Those less than 10 years old benefit from scheduled annual maintenance needed to prolong the life of the HVAC system.
Ambient Temperature in Your Location
The second consideration is the average temperature in your area. Systems exposed to temperatures below 18 degrees need routine maintenance twice a year, while those in colder climates require regular maintenance every six months.
Surrounding Air Quality
The third consideration is the air quality outside of your home or business. Those with poor air quality should consider scheduling an annual HVAC service to work on their system yearly.
How About My Filters?
This question has no definitive answer, but you can make an educated guess based on your situation. For example, replacement of the air filter should be done every month or so if you have a one-story home, every three months if your home has two stories, and every six months if your home has three or more levels.
Cleaning the air filters is also advisable every few weeks to keep them in good shape and prevent buildup.
Signs You May Need an HVAC Servicing Sooner
Evident Signs of Wear and Tear
You have noticed signs of wear and tear, such as clogs or leaks in ducts or supply lines. The symptoms of wear and tear vary depending on the type of HVAC system installed.
Some signs of wear and tear on your HVAC system can be as simple as a humming noise you hear when it’s running or water leaking from behind the unit. However, all HVAC systems have a few common signs that indicate that it is time to replace it.
Here are other signs of wear and tear:
- Dust accumulation on the coils
- Excessive condensation on the coils
- Leaking refrigerant
- Failed compressor or evaporator coil
Weak Cooling
Your air conditioner doesn’t seem as cold as it used to be or appears weaker than usual when combating high temperatures now that summer is here.
There are also more serious problems, such as low cooling capacity, high energy bills, and even mold growth in your air ducts.
Poor Air Quality
The air quality in your home has been deteriorating. Dust and other particles seem to get into your system and home. There’s a significant decrease in airflow. Your home is losing air circulation or doesn’t feel as cool as it used to be.
One way to tell if there might be an issue with your HVAC system is by checking out its efficiency through a blower door test. This test will show how well your unit can move air throughout the home without any problems.
Strange Noises
You may notice strange or unusual noises coming from the unit. It was impossible to find its exact source or fix it yourself.
If you notice unusual noises coming from the unit, it is essential to know the cause. If you are unsure what the reason for the noise is, it is best to contact a professional for help.
The System Is Not Operational
Your heating and cooling units have stopped working efficiently or don’t operate at all.
There Is a Strange Smell
There is a strong smell of gasoline or natural gas in your home, especially near the furnace. You have unusual odors from the vents near a gas appliance such as the stove. You might have a gas leak.
Here are other strange smells you can also observe:
- The smell of dirt and dust
- A musty or moldy smell
Plan Your HVAC Services Now Before It’s Too Late
Don’t wait until your HVAC system gets all too problematic. Keep an eye on how the system normally operates each specific season. So when it deviates from that usual operation, you’ll know that you must get some HVAC services.
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