We may still be enjoying our hot summer afternoons turning the chicken and burgers on the grill, but the fall season is just over the horizon. While you may be currently experiencing the comfort of the cool air in your home, you should start considering fall maintenance for your HVAC system.
Waiting until problems arise after the cold weather sets in could lead to an unpleasant experience and more expense than you anticipated. Most HVAC system failures are the direct result of the lack of regular maintenance.
By scheduling fall maintenance tune-up, you should expect a NATE-certified HVAC technician to perform a thorough service on your system. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program recommends the following services to improve efficiency and extend the life of your cooling and heating systems;
Typical Tune-Up
- Examine the thermostat settings to make sure the system is operating correctly
- Check for faulty electrical connections and tighten any loose connections, which includes measuring motor voltage and current
- Lubrication of all moving parts to reduce wear and tear
- Inspect the condensate drain for plugs preventing drainage
- A complete system check to ensure that the system is cycling on and off properly during operation
- Check air filters and change if necessary
Winter Operation Specific
In preparation for fall and winter operation, the technician should also examine exhaust outlets to ensure that there are no conditions that could cause a buildup of poisonous gasses such as carbon monoxide. The technician should be thorough in checking fuel lines, burners and heat exchangers for proper operation. Unchecked, these parts of your system can present a significant safety hazard for the occupants of your home.
The one thing that you can personally do to help extend the life and efficiency of your HVAC system is to change the air filter on a monthly basis. Your HVAC technician can help you with finding the right filter for your system.
For more information on scheduling a fall maintenance tune-up for your HVAC system, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. We are the leading HVAC specialists in the Dayton and Springfield areas.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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