How Do I Maintain My HVAC Yearly?

The HVAC system is what keeps your home comfortable, it keeps your family and guests comfortable. With a routine professional HVAC maintenance schedule, there are important benefits and hvac maintenance facts that you may be taking for granted: 

Minimized Breakdowns

Unexpected and “not in the budget” emergency repairs are stressful for every homeowner and an HVAC system breaking down can be one those stresses.  With routine HVAC maintenance by a professional, we can’t guarantee you’ll never have an unexpected emergency repair, but you’ll minimize the chances  of that happening. 

During each HVAC maintenance appointment, the technician checks for any possible issues before they become a costly problem. The technician will perform a cleaning and tune-up that will keep your HVAC system in optimal working condition.

Saves Money

When your HVAC system is operating efficiently, it takes less energy for cooling and heating your home. That lowers your monthly utility expenses, and in addition, saves you money from unexpected repair bills from a HVAC breakdowns.

Longer Lifespan

Replacing a HVAC system is not cheap, so whether your home has an existing HVAC system or you recently purchased one, you don’t want to have to buy another anytime soon, right? With routine professional HVAC maintenance appointments, it will keep your HVAC system running smooth and could even extend the lifespan beyond the expected 15 year average. 

Cleaner, Healthier Air

When your HVAC system is dirty, it is exposing your home and family to dirty, unhealthy air. Having your air ducts professionally cleaned once or twice a year will keep the air cleaner. Inside that duct work, are contaminants like dirt, dust, and pet dander collect. Each time the air conditioning or heat turns on, the air is blowing across all that and into the air your family is breathing. 

Knowledge and Peace of Mind

With a routine professional HVAC maintenance schedule, you’ll get to know your HVAC company and they will get to know your HVAC system and you. So when there is an emergency, they are familiar with how your system is set up will often know what’s wrong by your description over the phone. With a HVAC maintenance agreement, you can have confidence that your system has been check by a professional and everything is in proper working order. 

What is HVAC preventative maintenance?

We just listed the benefits of a professional HVAC maintenance program, but what exactly is preventive maintenance include? A professional preventive HVAC system maintenance agreement will ensure that every component of the system is at full operating capacity . Research has found that with routine HVAC maintenance checks, you get all the benefits we mentioned, plus, the manufacturer of your HVAC system will typically require such HVAC maintenance in order to keep the warranty valid. 

The HVAC maintenance technician will perform several tasks including: 

• Check refrigerant levels. 
• Inspect for gas, oil, and refrigerant leaks.
• Clean condenser coils  ensuring the proper air flow.
• Tighten electrical connections.
• Lubricate moving parts.
• Test thermostat is cycling properly.
• Change or clean air filter.

Many HVAC contractors offer service contracts that include two visits a year, spring, and fall, to make sure the air condition is ready for summer and the heating is ready for the winter. 

How often does HVAC need maintenance?

Most HVAC system manufacturers and retailers recommend a minimum of once a year for a professional HVAC maintenance check. The older the unit gets, usually by the 10^th year, this should be increased to twice year,  and adjusted accordingly if repairs become more frequent. 

What is involved in HVAC maintenance?

In addition to the professional side of HVAC maintenance that we have discussed here, there are also maintenance steps that the homeowners should take as well. The basic steps are: 

• Change or clean the air filters every 30 days.
• Keep the air vents clear of obstruction, including the intake part of the unit.
• Clean the condensation drain line.
• Keep the condenser and evaporator coils clean.
• Check the air ducts from the attic for disconnects and tears.

How long does HVAC maintenance take?

For the professional HVAC maintenance appointments, depending on the size of the house and the number of units, which most average homes only have one, you can expect the visit to take up to one hour or less.  If there are any issues or problems found by the technician during these appointments, it could take longer. 

These may seem small and insignificant, but collectively, they will keep your home and family comfortable with proper working HVAC system. Call (410) 921-1277 today for your HVAC maintenance in Severn and Baltimore, MD with the professionals at Rocky HVAC!