subject: Maintaining Your Heating And Air Conditioning Systems [print this page] In this tough economy, property owners are more focused than ever on keeping their appliances running well to avoid the cost of having to replace them. There are some relatively easy steps to keep your heating and air conditioning units running well year round.
While there are far more electrical HVAC units than any other, propane gas, natural gas, or oil heating systems are characteristic alternate choices to electrical heat, but need another air conditioner powered by electricity. The Heat pump is the standard installation in new home and commercial construction, particularly in hot areas where air con is sometimes installed on all new construction. Such systems are engineered to operate economically.
The frugal homeowner faithfully performs such homeowner responsibilities as changing their heating and air conditioning system's filter monthly or as often as the manufacturers suggest and keeping all accessible parts clean. As all owners' manuals and all plumbers and HVAC sales people will tell you, just this simple monthly maintenance will substantially extend the life of your heating and air conditioning unit.
Energy conscious householders will also make strenuous efforts to guarantee furniture, appliances, scatter rugs, toys, dog beds or other items don't block their systems intake or return vents across the home. It's also a great idea to install filters just within the intake vents to keep the ductwork freed from waste.
Fans, motors, coils and duct work inspection and maintenance is a job for professionals as testing is done with sensitive equipment and ductwork is often located in a crawl space under the house or in the attic. For the Air Conditioner, most newer units should not require that Freon be replaced, but older units might need the Freon levels checked annually to keep the AC working efficiently throughout the hot months of summer.
Yearly upkeep plans are strongly recommended by makers, distributors and HVAC technicians and plumbers. It is mostly more cost effective to replace parts or perform routine cleaning and maintenance before a part breaks than after. Additionally, most units appear to damage when you want them the most, during the coldest of the cold months for the heating units, and the freshest days of summer for the cooling units.
To plug preventative upkeep most makers and their dealers offer service plans which include an once a year inspection for rather less than the price of a service call. Generally yearly upkeep is performed at the home owner's convenience, and before the unit is basically needed to be running.
