Scheduling seasonal preventive maintenance for your heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit is a simple, cost-effective way to reduce energy usage and prolong the life of the system. Professional tuneups examine each element of the system to make sure it is in good shape and works properly. Homeowners can also do simple heating maintenance tasks to keep equipment working efficiently.
Keep Air Filters Clean
Furnace and air conditioner filters keep airborne contaminants from entering the system and coating sensitive components. Dirty filters are one of the primary reasons for service calls for HVAC equipment. Clogged filters allow debris and pollutants to bypass the filter and enter ducts. Dust, animal dander, hair and pollen coat coils, making the compressor work harder to produce conditioned air. In addition, clogged filters affect the system’s pressure. You may experience hot or cold spots in a room or cold air flowing through registers in the winter.
Change or clean filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to keep the entire system clean. If you live in a dusty area or have animals in your home, you may need to change them more often.
Don’t Put Off Seasonal Maintenance
A well-maintained system works efficiently, reducing the energy used to run it by as much as 40%. In contrast, lack of maintenance can increase energy usage by as much as 60%.
During a maintenance session, certified technicians calibrate and clean each component of the system. If small problems are identified, they can be corrected immediately, reducing the likelihood of costly repairs. Heating maintenance examines the furnace housing, plenum, combustion system, ignition and vents. The air filter will be cleaned or replaced, and technicians will test for dangerous gases. In addition, ducts will be inspected for leaks or poor joins. Up to 30% of the air passing through ducts is lost through leaks.
Lunsford Air Conditioning and Heating provides HVAC services for residents and businesses in the Florida Panhandle. For more information about our maintenance plans or to schedule a tuneup, call (850) 203-3200.
