Every piece of machinery around us that exerts effort to give us relief requires maintenance. Mechanical infrastructure runs smoothly when taken care of regularly. The same is the case with the HVAC system. If you have installed an HVAC system, make sure that you take care of the system by maintaining it properly. Now you would be thinking about what maintenance might include. In this article, we will explain in detail the nitty-gritty of maintenance. Next, you need to understand what does HVAC maintenance include:
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Replacing the air filters:
Air filters play an important role in the overall performance of the HVAC system. Do you know what air filters do? These filters are fixed in the ductwork to stop dust, pollen, or other debris from entering the mainstream of the system. Moreover, they reduce the extra efforts of the system to enlarge its lifespan.
On inspection, if you or the professional you hired see any debris or dust, immediately replace the air filters; otherwise, you’ll be unable to get fresh air, and moreover, your system will now work efficiently.
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Lubrication:
All mechanical parts work in some way where they need lubricants to have a smooth movement. Sometimes, we see moving parts getting teared up. That’s because they were lubricated properly. Therefore, keep looking for such parts and lubricating them often. This way, you can save your system from a major breakdown.
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Inspection of refrigerants:
Refrigerants are responsible for cooling the air and absorbing the heat. Sometimes, when you observe that your compressor is heating up, that’s an indication that the refrigerants in the system are leaking from somewhere. That’s a red flag; quickly search for the leakage spot and repair the leaks. Moreover, maintain the refrigerant levels. Otherwise, your compressor will malfunction.
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Inspection of electrical connections:
The main components of HVAC rely on electricity: the compressor and the fan. If the electricity connection is stable, then you will see them work smoothly. So, during inspection, make sure the electric connections are intact. Otherwise, the negligence may lead to an electric short-circuit, resulting in permanently damaging the compressor and the fan.
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Cleaning of the condenser coil:
In the above paragraph, we discussed that refrigerants absorb heat, and what releases that heat is the condenser’s coil. This coil is usually fixed to an outdoor panel. Being outside, some dust or debris can accumulate over it. Therefore, it takes double effort to release the heat. It can damage the coil. Right? So, clean the condenser coil during the regular maintenance sessions.
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Cleaning of drainage pipes:
Sometimes, you see water under the unit that can be a leakage due to some blockage in drainage pipes. That’s a mess, and you will definitely avoid such a mess. Therefore, clean the drainage pipes during maintenance. You can clean these pipes with a regular wet-dry vacuum cleaner.
How often should HVAC systems be maintained?
Well, as you know, an HVAC system is a combination of different components. Each component has its own requirements for inspection. Continue reading to know when some parts require maintenance.
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Monthly:
- All mechanically moving parts require a monthly inspection; don’t forget to lubricate them once a month.
- The air filter gets dirty in no time. So, replace them once a month.
- Check for electricity connections once a month.
- Your drainage pipes also need inspection once a month.
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Seasonal:
Thermostats and condenser coils need inspection before the start of every season. They are responsible for temperature control, and they have slightly different tasks in different seasons. Therefore, they need seasonal checkups.
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Annually:
- Properly inspect the ductwork once a year and check for any damage.
- Check the batteries of the thermostat annually.
- And give proper inspections of outdoor units once a year.
Conclusion:
HVAC is a complex system that runs on multiple things. It requires electricity and gas connections; moreover, some of its units are installed outdoors and some indoors. Every portion of the system requires attention. If you regularly inspect your HVAC system according to the guide we just shared with you in our article, you may increase the lifespan of the unit. Moreover, it is helpful in raising the efficiency of the HVAC system. We believe this article helps you to understand what does HVAC maintenance include.