Amid the concerns of daily life, most of us aren’t quick to dwell on homeimprovementpub.de such prosaic matters as the health of our home’s HVAC system. But if we expect our HVAC systems to keep heating and cooling our homes and not suddenly saddle us with a huge repair bill, we have to keep them as well maintained as we keep our automobiles. To prevent HVAC repairs, seeking HVAC maintenance from a reputable HVAC servicing provider on a regular basis is the key to keeping your HVAC elements in the maintenance phase and out of the repair phase. Below, we list some HVAC elements that require regular maintenance and exactly what that maintenance consists of.
Heating Equipment
Heat pumps, boilers and oil-fired furnaces require a yearly maintenance check, while cleaner operating gas fired equipment requires a check up every other year. But in each case, an HVAC servicing company will inspect for leaks, dirty filters, rust, soot and corroded electrical contacts, cleaning and replacing parts as necessary. In forced air and hot water boiler systems, the technician will also inspect ductwork or pipes, blowers or pumps, registers or radiators, as well as the fuel line, gas meter and oil tank where applicable. The technician will also inspect furnace, heat pump or boiler parts to check for excessive wear and corrosion. Finally, the technician will check for sufficient draft using smoke pencils and check carbon monoxide levels.
Blowers
In forced air systems, HVAC technicians will maintain the blower by lubricating its axel, cleaning its fan blades, vacuuming the dust from around the motor and checking to see if the blower motor is overloaded. The technician will also inspect the blower’s fan belts for slackness or fraying. After inspecting the blower, the technician will make sure that the ductwork in the heated area remains properly sealed and that ductwork in non-heated areas remains properly insulated. For hot water systems, the technician will drain the expansion tank, clean and lubricate the circulating pump and bleed the air out of the radiators.
Ducts
80 percent of American homes contain extensive ductwork that snakes through ceilings walls and floors, creating an efficient way to deliver instant heating or cooling. But as innocuous and problem free as ductwork might seem, it can serve as a repository for dust that, when it combines with a little moisture, creates a breeding ground for dangerous molds and bacteria. While air filters do a good job of preventing dust from reentering the air, they don’t always collect the microscopic mold particles and bacteria that can breed in uncleanly air return ducts. In addition to improving your health, having an HVAC technician perform an air duct cleaning can also lengthen the life span of your furnace by cutting down on the dust that collects amid its inner workings.