In Montreal, the summer and winter seasons swing drastically in temperature. To keep your home comfortable in the summer’s heat and the winter’s sub-zero temperatures, you need a reliable HVAC system.
Even after the most seamless installation of the most reliable brand, your system still requires routine maintenance. Avoid disruptions in your home comfort and improve the longevity of your equipment in just a few simple steps.
Why does your HVAC system need regular maintenance?
A good HVAC maintenance plan comes with a full inspection and service. A thorough inspection can prevent spontaneous breakdowns in extreme temperatures, and a service will increase the longevity of your system. While they might be tempting to put off, a maintenance visit for your HVAC system could help you avoid a premature and costly repair or new installation service.
You value your health enough to visit the doctor for checkups and care for your car enough to change your oil. Your home heating and cooling system is valuable and needs to be well-maintained as well, to continue to run in top shape for years to come.
The complete HVAC maintenance checklist – 10 steps
1. Inspect your air filters
Every month, you should check your central AC, heat pump, and furnace filters. A professional team can show you how to do this and what to look for. A dirty or old filter can cause your system to fail early, and the checks and cleaning are a relatively quick job.
2. Check your thermostat settings
Your thermostat should be set appropriately when you’re home and when you’re away. Setting up a home automation system or using a smart thermostat can help you be as energy-efficient as possible.
3. Lubricate any moving parts
Equipment parts that move and cause friction will incrementally increase the electricity your home uses. By keeping all moving components lubricated, you’re improving your system’s longevity and reducing your energy consumption.
4. Tighten your electrical components
The next step is to ensure your electrical components are tightened and you’re measuring your voltage and all “on” motors. A malfunctioning, loose electrical component can risk your operating safety and damage or break your system.
5. Inspect your condensate drainage system
A plugged condensate drainage system can impact your indoor air quality and humidity levels, causing water damage to your home.
6. Clean your coils
Make sure your evaporator and condenser AC coils are routinely inspected and cleaned. Dirty coils can impact your system’s ability to cool the home and reduce the equipment’s lifespan. Clean coils also improve energy efficiency and help lower your power bills.
7. Double-check your refrigerant level
Check and adjust your refrigerant levels when you maintain your HVAC system. Too little or too much refrigerant can impact HVAC efficiency, causing slow damage to the machine and increasing energy costs.
8. Inspect and clean all blower components
Like filters, blower components should be checked and cleared regularly for the best possible airflow from your system. Airflow problems can reduce operating efficiency by up to 15%.
9. Check your oil and gas connections
Gas and oil connections, when improperly connected, can be a fire hazard and could drastically lower your indoor air quality. Dirty burners and cracks in your heat exchanger can also cause improper burner operation. These issues could also escalate into a system breakdown if not properly addressed.
10. Call a team of professionals
Checking coils, tightening electrical connections, and cleaning blower components can be overwhelming tasks for the average homeowner. By calling a team of certified technicians, you can rest assured that everything on the list is being completed, plus you’re getting a tune-up and recommendations to maintain your system going forward.
Going beyond your HVAC needs
Are you looking to upgrade your heating and cooling system? Heat pumps, geothermal units, mini-splits, and other system upgrades could improve your home efficiency and comfort. Many homeowners are moving to systems with more automation and customization options, keeping home comfort simple, streamlined, and high-tech.
Contact us today at Allard and Émond. Whether it’s an HVAC maintenance appointment or an evaluation for a system upgrade, we’re here to serve you and the rest of the Montreal community.