It’s Fall Maintenance Time!

It may not be cold enough for heat yet, however, if I were you, I’d want to be prepared for when I do need it. We prepped you for summer and now it’s time we prep you for winter!

Fall HVAC maintenance checklist: AIR CONDITIONING

Why does your AC need checked/cleaned after summer? Shockingly, now is probably the best time to do it after all these hot and rainy days we’ve been having. Since it’s almost time to turn the a/c off, it just makes sense to clean it up and winterize your system(s) so nothing breaks come spring time!

In case you’re wondering what needs done, here are a few major things that our technicians do.

CLEAR DRAIN LINES AND PANS
It’s never a good idea to leave standing water around. Not only can it lead to mold and mildew growth, but standing water also attracts insects and vermin. Also, drain lines should be checked for blockages so you don’t end up with water leaks and a big mess when you turn on the system in the spring.

CLEAN THE COILS
Built-up grime on your AC coils not only causes the system to lose efficiency, it can cause corrosion of the metal coils. Don’t let that dirt and debris sit there over the winter, possibly causing coil damage and refrigerant leaks. This could get expensive to fix depending on the severity of the leak and damage.

CHECK REFRIGERANT CHARGE
Speaking of leaks, now is the time to make sure you don’t have any. If refrigerant charge is low, that means there’s a leak somewhere, and it’s better to find and fix it now. If you don’t, you’ll be turning on the unit on that first hot day to find it won’t cool your home.

CHECK BELTS AND PULLEYS
Worn belts sitting idle all winter can break when your system starts up again. Prevent bigger problems by having your system inspected and replace worn parts now.

GET DUCTS INSPECTED
Especially after such a hot and humid summer, moisture can accumulate in your ductwork. When that happens, it can lead to the growth of mold and other biological contaminants. In the worst case, people can experience health problems. I recommend asking for your ducts to be inspected to see if you need duct cleaning services.

Fall HVAC maintenance checklist: HEATING

Especially for a commercial establishment, you are responsible for the not just the comfort of your employees and customers, but also their safety. So it’s essential to make sure your equipment is properly taken care of. This HVAC maintenance checklist is a resource that can make sure you’ve covered the essential tasks. It’s important to note that fall heating maintenance is not one-size-fits-all. Depending on the type of equipment you have, how it is fueled, and the specific needs of your building and your business, there may be different HVAC maintenance checklist tasks that need to be completed.

CHANGE FILTERS
If the same filters serve both your AC and heating systems, be sure to change those now, to avoid introducing contaminants that can cause system damage. Also, ask your service provider to show you how to change them and how frequently it needs to be done. Depending on your system and usage, you may need to change filters monthly or even more often.

CHECK BELTS AND PULLEYS
Just like your air conditioning system, you heating equipment has belts and pulleys that control the blower and motor housing. These can get worn over time. Now is the time to replace any worn parts to prevent breakdowns and further damage to your heating system. A small thing like that can cause you to be without heat during freezing weather. This HVAC maintenance task prevents bigger problems later.

CALIBRATE THERMOSTATS
You won’t get reliable heating if thermostat readings are off. Make sure they are working properly before the start of the heating season.

CHECK OPERATION OF BLOWER FANS AND MOTORS
The blower assembly is a critical part of your heating system. If fans are covered in grime or a motor is operating sluggishly, your system’s performance can suffer. Parts must be cleaned, lubricated, and faulty parts replaced.

INSPECT ELECTRICAL PARTS
A simple failure of a wire or electrode can take down your heating system. Make sure your electrical parts and connections are in good shape.

CHECK OPERATION OF THE LIMIT SWITCH
The limit switch is a safety control that turns off the burner when parts of your heating system get too hot, and then shuts off the blower after the temperature drops. If blower is running continuously, this part could need to be adjusted or replaced.

CHECK DUCT INSULATION
The insulation in your ducts can become damaged over time. When that happens, your expensive heated air can escape before it ever has a chance to reach the areas where it’s needed. As a result, your system has to work harder to warm your space. That translates into higher energy bills for you and extra wear and tear on the system that can cause breakdowns. Don’t skip this essential task on the maintenance checklist.

Clearly, there’s a lot more to fall HVAC maintenance than you might have expected, and we hope this HVAC maintenance checklist serves as an informative guide. Get it done now during this fall season to get improved performance, better comfort, and peace of mind during the heating/hunting season and beyond.

Call R.A. STYRON today at 757-420-5488!