What Should I Expect During My Residential HVAC Maintenance?

Residential HVAC maintenance is the only way to guarantee that your air conditioning and heating equipment systems don’t break down. While some maintenance tasks you can perform yourself, most critical checks require a qualified HVAC technician.

You can always check if your local HVAC repair company offers annual HVAC maintenance contracts at affordable prices. Keep reading for a comprehensive breakdown of HVAC repair visits.

1. Electrical Connections

These should be tightened, tested, and replaced if required. Loose connections can cause equipment failure, overheating, and fire hazards. The best residential HVAC contractors should inspect all connections in your A/C units at least once per year.

2. Thermostat Operation & Calibration

Thermostat calibration is primarily a test to determine if your thermostat is reading the correct temperature. Cycling equipment on and off during readings is crucial to maintaining system performance. A well-calibrated thermostat can save you money on energy bills and unexpected service breakdowns.

3. System Safety Devices

This step includes safety checks for flame and exhaust issues for heating repair. For air conditioners, refrigerant leak prevention will prolong the life of your equipment. Both system types will require electrical output monitoring.

4. Blower Motor Operation

Your system is inoperable without a properly working blower motor in your furnace or air conditioner. A mechanical and electrical inspection of your fan and motor should happen annually.

5. Indoor & Outdoor Coils

Both coils in your A/C system are susceptible to leaking. Both need to be cleaned entirely of dirt and grime at least once annually to ensure peak performance. Dirty coils can take a significant toll on your equipment and lead to costly residential HVAC repairs.

6. Heat Exchangers & Combustion

The heat exchanger is the main chamber in your furnace. The flame enters the heat exchanger and travels through it. Then, it gives its heat away to the air passing over the exchanger. Eventually, it leaves the exchanger as exhaust, routed outside through the furnace exhaust venting. Your heat exchanger should meet high standards for restrictions and cleanliness. Otherwise, carbon monoxide and other toxins could leak into the HVAC system throughout your home.

7. Refrigerant Levels

Your air conditioning system is known as a closed-loop. The refrigerant in the system travels through pipes, returns to its origin point, and then starts the process again. To keep this life cycle going, you should always be vigilant of any leaks in your system. It would be best not to “top up” your refrigerant levels. However, unintended leaks do happen, and they can cause serious part failures if they aren’t detected quickly.

8. Air Filters

An expert HVAC technician will know to replace your furnace filter far more often than once a year. Ideally, this step would happen on a 2-month cycle. Your system will remain clean and free of any consequences from restricted airflow. Your heating and cooling systems require a minimum airflow during each cycle. A dirty filter is the biggest offender in causing airflow issues.

These eight areas cover the most typical maintenance in an HVAC maintenance visit. Some local HVAC companies also recommend periodic tune-ups beyond the annual preventative maintenance.

The Best Air Source Heat Pumps and Ductless AC Units

Ductless air conditioning systems are popular in buildings where a traditional central air conditioning system isn’t practical. One big name in the HVAC world is Mitsubishi, which has a ductless system.

A ductless HVAC system runs off individual air conditioning units rather than a central furnace/cooling system. As you might have guessed, a ductless system has no ductwork!

Whether you choose a clean electric cooling approach or central air, your residential HVAC contractors can help. Please refer to our guide on choosing the right residential HVAC unit for your home for more information.

What Happens During HVAC Maintenance Tune-Ups?

Residential HVAC repair will include three crucial phases: inspection, cleaning, and maintenance. The service may or may not involve repairs; it depends on whether problems appear during the inspection phase.

Inspection

Your residential HVAC contractors will usually begin by inspecting your equipment. You can have everything tuned up during a single visit. Alternatively, you can have the air conditioner serviced once a year, and the furnace serviced later. In an air conditioner, they might check the drain pan, ensure that refrigerant levels are adequate, and examine other components. In a furnace, they will look over the compressor and motor to ensure all other parts are in good shape.

Cleaning

Cleaning is a vital step, whether the tune-up involves the air conditioning system, furnace, or both. Even if you’re diligent about changing your air filters regularly, the technician will need to clean your system. This step will keep it in peak condition.

Maintenance

Residential HVAC maintenance is where you get your money’s worth. If issues arise in your air conditioning or heating system, the technician will correct them. Your residential HVAC contractor may want to replace worn-out parts to keep them from causing severe damage later. If refrigerant levels are low, the tech will look for leaks and recharge your system. Components like capacitors and fan blades are integral to consistent and efficient operation. It’s far better to preemptively schedule these small, affordable visits than to wait until they spiral into serious breakdowns.

Keeping up with annual maintenance is your best line of defense for avoiding unexpected residential HVAC repairs. When you need qualified heating or air conditioner repair, choose a company that knows how to deliver optimal home comfort.

THE RESIDENTIAL HVAC REPAIR EXPERTS

Your HVAC maintenance appointments should work around your family’s schedule. For nearly 50 years, KCR has provided residences and businesses with peace of mind and temperature control. We’re proud to serve our customers efficiently and flexibly in managing your efficient home heating and air conditioning.

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