HVAC systems need regular maintenance. There are clearly some things you can do yourself and the rest is best left to a professional technician.
It is important to know the maintenance jobs you can perform yourself and help contribute to your HVAC system running at an optimal rate.
The Maintenance You Can Perform Yourself Safely
Change Your Air Filters
Changing your air filters regularly is maintenance you can do yourself. If the filters are faulty or clogged your HVAC system will struggle to run. Increasing the risk of breakdown and increasing your energy build.
It is one of the most important jobs that must be done regularly to keep your system working at an optimal rate.
How To Change Your Filters:
Step 1. Turn off the electricity to your HVAC system.
Step 2. Remove the access panels so you can find the filter.
Step 3. Remove the old filter.
Step 4. Insert the new filter.
Step 5. Close the access panels.
Step 6. Turn the electricity back on.
Clean Your Vents
Keeping your vents clean is the simplest do-it-yourself job you can perform on your HVAC system.
When the air that has been treated by your unit can easily flow your system will run less hard. You will see an instant reduction in your energy bill.
Step1. Turn Off The power to your HVAC system.
Step 2. Unscrew your air duct covers.
Step 3. Vacuum the air duct covers,
Step 4. Screw the air duct covers back on.
Step 5. Turn The electricity back on.
Clean Debris & Dust From Your Outdoor System
Clearing dust and debris from the unit is maintenance you can do yourself with ease. If there is debris clogging your system it is easy to remove them.
If your unit is in a dusty area of the home or yard speak to your HVAC technician to come up with a solution.
Reducing the dust around the system will help the unit to become dust free and reduce how hard the unit needs to operate and how frequently maintenance needs to be performed.
Step 1. Turn off the power to your HVAC system.
Step 2. Remove debris and dust from the outdoor system by hand. You can remove leaves, twigs, plastic, etc, by hand. Get an old rag to wipe the dust away.
Step 3. Remove any trees or plants that are growing close to the unit.
Step 4. Make sure to remove anything within 4 meters of the unit.
Remove Blockages From Ducts
Removing blockages from the ducts is maintenance you can do yourself. It is more complex than some of the other do-it-yourself maintenance choirs.
When the ducts are blocked the system will need to work a lot harder and you will see an increase in your energy bill.
Step 1. Remove the screws from the air duct covers.
Step 2. Remove the grills.
Step 3. Cover your vent supply outlets.
Step 4. Set your fan position on the thermostat to on.
Step 5. Loosen dust in the ducts with a light tap.
Have Your HVAC Unit Services At Least 1 Time Per Year
Heating, Ventilation, & Air conditioning servicing is essential to keep your HVAC system running at peak efficiency.
To do a full service you need an HVAC technician that is qualified to do the work.
Jobs like cleaning the coils, checking the level of the system, and electrical work are best left to the experts.