Year-End HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Once the air starts to get cold, you know it’s time to get your home ready for the cooler months ahead. Your heating system is crucial to maintaining a cozy, warm environment. A well-maintained furnace provides the comfort you crave while using a smaller amount of energy. Routine inspections also make your system less likely to fail and help lengthen its service life. These are just a few examples of how annual HVAC maintenance can save you time, money and hassle. Here’s what ought to be on your checklist before winter appears.

Schedule HVAC Maintenance

To keep your furnace in peak condition, consider reaching out to a professional HVAC technician to conduct furnace maintenance once a year. The best time to schedule this is in the fall before contractors become flooded with calls during the busy winter months. However, if you miss that window on the calendar, it’s still beneficial to conduct furnace maintenance no matter what the season.

Your technician’s HVAC maintenance to-do list should include the following:

• Examine the thermostat settings: Everybody enjoys an efficient HVAC system, and this begins with your thermostat. During a maintenance appointment, the professional ensures your thermostat is reading the temperature properly and engaging your furnace at the proper times.
• Tighten the electrical connections: Making sure that all electrical connections are secure is crucial. Loose wires can create a higher electricity draw, potentially reducing the life of your system’s components and causing a safety hazard.
• Measure the motor voltage and current: This step allows the technician to determine if the motor is working within the recommended parameters, helping to protect against motor failure and unnecessary energy consumption.
• Lubricate moving components: Friction is the enemy of energy efficiency. Your repair person lubricates all moving parts to lower resistance, reduce wear and tear, and bring down your energy bills.
• Examine the condensate drain: Air conditioners, condensing furnaces and whole-house humidifiers send condensate down a drain as they work. This line must be clear of obstructions to avoid water accumulation and potential property damage. Examining the drain offers peace of mind that your utility closet won’t be damaged.
• Check the system controls: This involves making sure the furnace starts, operates and turns off according to the manufacturer’s specifications, ensuring safety and reliability.
• Look over the ignition burner assembly: This component is responsible for igniting the burner. A tech inspects the assembly to ensure it’s clean and operating correctly.
• Check the heat exchanger: The heat exchanger transfers heat from the fuel to your residence’s air. A crack could bring carbon monoxide into your residence, so thorough examination is an important step on the HVAC maintenance checklist.
• Clean the burners: In the long run, burners can accumulate dust and debris that impedes performance. A complete cleaning ensures they function efficiently and safely.
• Look for gas leaks: Searching for leaks is fundamental with gas heating systems. A leak can be dangerous and should be addressed immediately.
• Evaluate the gas pressure: Proper gas pressure is crucial for optimal furnace function. Pressure that’s too low or too high can affect system efficiency and the warmth in your home.

Routine Furnace Maintenance to Do at Home

Here’s how to keep your furnace running properly between professional HVAC maintenance tune-ups:

• Change your air filter: A plugged filter can strain your furnace. Inspect the filter each month and change it when it appears dirty to improve efficiency and extend your system’s life span.
• Look at your thermostat settings: The Department of Energy (DOE) advocates setting your thermostat between 68 and 70 degrees when you’re at home and awake in the winter. Then, set the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away all day or sleeping at night to save up to 10% on your heating costs.
• Clean the air registers: Dust accumulation can reduce airflow, so vacuum the grilles routinely to maintain good air quality. Then, make sure furniture, rugs and curtains don’t block your return or supply vents to ensure proper system balance.
• Reverse the ceiling fan: Set your ceiling fans to spin clockwise during the chillier months to blow warm air down from the ceiling to where you will enjoy it.
• Seal drafts: Look for leaky windows and doors. If you feel drafts, seal them with caulk and weatherstripping to keep the cold at bay and minimize your furnace’s workload.
• Analyze your attic insulation level: An under-insulated attic leads to heat loss. Add insulation wherever it is needed to keep heat in the home and lower your energy expenses.

Work with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for HVAC Maintenance in Fort Lauderdale

Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to meet all your home HVAC needs. We make sure you have peace of mind with our thorough HVAC inspections, fast solutions and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our ACE-certified technicians make sure they go above and beyond. You can count on Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to make a significant difference in your comfort and well-being this winter with furnace maintenance in Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. Call 954-736-4314 today for help {fortifying your home against|getting your home ready for|preparing your residen