An air conditioner, like a car, is a machine that must be serviced and maintained regularly. Even if an air con
The performance and longevity of your HVAC system depend on regular maintenance. While professional maintenance is essential, there are several simple maintenance tasks homeowners can perform themselves. In this blog, we will explore DIY HVAC maintenance steps that homeowners can take to keep their systems running smoothly and efficiently.
Cleaning and Changing Air Filters
Regularly cleaning or changing air filters is a fundamental DIY maintenance task. Clogged filters reduce efficiency, decrease airflow, and worsen indoor air quality. Every three months, you should inspect your filters to see whether they need cleaning or replacement. This promotes better airflow and improves the overall performance of your HVAC system.
Clearing Debris Around Outdoor Units
The outdoor unit of your HVAC system can accumulate leaves, dirt, and debris. Ensure the area around the unit is clear and free of obstructions. Make sure to check on the unit on a regular basis and clean it so that air can flow freely. This allows your system to work efficiently and prevents potential damage caused by restricted airflow.
Checking and Cleaning Condenser Coils
Condenser coils might lose efficiency due to dirt and debris buildup over time. Make that the coils are clean and in good working order. Use a vacuum cleaner or gentle brush to sweep away grit and grime with care. System performance and energy efficiency may be enhanced by keeping the coils clean.
Inspecting and Sealing Ductwork
Leaky ductwork can result in energy loss and reduced efficiency. Inspect visible ductwork for any signs of leaks or loose connections. Seal any gaps or cracks with specialized duct sealant or foil tape. Properly sealed ductwork ensures efficient airflow, minimizing energy wastage and maximizing the effectiveness of your HVAC system.
Ensuring Thermostat Accuracy
Check your thermostat’s accuracy to ensure it is reading the temperature correctly. Use a separate thermometer to compare the readings. If there is a significant difference, consult the thermostat manually or consider calling a professional to recalibrate or replace the thermostat. Accurate temperature control promotes energy efficiency and ensures optimal comfort.
Conclusion
DIY HVAC maintenance allows homeowners to take an active role in keeping their systems in top condition. By following these simple steps, you can improve system efficiency, prolong the lifespan of your HVAC equipment, and enjoy consistent comfort in your home. However, for comprehensive maintenance and expert guidance, it’s important to consult professionals.
oning system appears to be in good working order, routine maintenance and care are required to keep it operating as intended.
There are several fundamental reasons for servicing an air conditioner. Some benefits include improved performance, improving indoor air quality in North Richland Hills TX, reduced airborne viruses and bacteria spread, longer air conditioner life, and increased energy efficiency to save your energy.
You can do some things on your own to inspect and clean an air conditioner. The main advantage is that you will not need an Air Conditioner Repair in North Richland Hills.
1. Check Power
Before you begin most of the following tips or try anything else than turning air conditioners on/off or running AC units, it is crucial to ensure that your air conditioner does not run for power. Safety in the first place!
Take note of where the isolation switch is located. Because it is designed to isolate power to an air conditioning system, this switch is commonly referred to as an isolator. If you’re trying to test your air conditioner, make sure the isolator is turned on. The isolator, on the other hand, should be turned off for the majority of other checks.
Turn off all power sources to your air conditioning system, including the isolator, circuit breaker, and/or power outlet where an older unit may be plugged in. It’s better if you can turn off as many electrical points as possible.
Keep in mind that just because it’s turned off doesn’t mean the air conditioner isn’t working. Even when the AC units are turned off, invisibly faulty components, such as a broken isolator switch, can allow power to reach the AC units.
2. Check And Clean Filters
Air ducting enters a building by an indoor fan spiral, circulates, and is blown out in each room through outlets. The air is then retracted back into the air conditioning system and returned via the re-air grille to the indoor unit. Then the cycle begins again.
In the case of a duct system, this is particularly true.
The filter in a ducted system is usually found covering the return air grille in the ceiling. Given the airflow cycle, the filter’s cleanliness has an impact on the cleanliness of the air recycled indoors. A filter literally filters the air in your home, preventing the recirculation of airborne particles, dust, grime, and other pollutants. Dirt and mold can grow within the indoor unit if these particles are not captured by an adequately clean air conditioner filter and pass through to the indoor fan coil unit. Moldy air can then find its way into every room of the house or workplace.
How do you know if a filter needs to be cleaned? Holding a filter up to a light and seeing if you can see the light through it is a good rule of thumb. It’s time to clean the washable filter if the light is dim or, in the worst-case scenario, not visible at all. It’s time to replace it if it’s a disposable one.
3. Clean Exterior Of Indoor Unit
Like any other surface in your home or business, the indoor air conditioner unit can collect dust, dirt, grime, cobwebs, and even mold. Wiping down the external unit with a feather duster, cloth, or lightly dampened washer is recommended regularly.
You can clean and sanitize the air conditioner with an antibacterial solution. Rather than spraying any liquid directly onto the air conditioner, spray a cloth first and then use that cloth to wipe down the casing.
Mold, dirt, and grime can accumulate inside the indoor unit, particularly on the fan barrel and coil. This can cause a moldy/musky odor, particle spitting from the indoor heat, and/or poor overall system performance due to reduced airflow.
They can be removed and cleaned chemically using specially designed equipment to remove internal build-up material. This is, however, a task best to get done by a professional Air Conditioner Installation Services North Richland Hills. They are fully qualified air conditioner technicians with extensive knowledge of all technical and safety issues.
4. Check Temperatures
While the system is cooling, it’s worth checking the temperature difference between the supply and return air during an air conditioner service. The difference between the two temperatures should be as close to 10 degrees as possible. If not, run through the rest of the routine checks and retest. If the temperature difference is still less than 10 degrees, an HVAC contractor can look into it further.
To get the most accurate readings, use a calibrated thermometer to check temperatures. If the temperature isn’t right, it could be the thermometer, not the air conditioner.
The end of the thermometer must usually be as close as possible to airflow, irrespective of the way the air flows. Keep the air-flow thermometer for a proper period; for the digital thermometer 30-60 seconds or the glass thermometer 7-10 minutes.
The supply air temperature for a ducted system can be obtained from air outlets in the ceiling, wall grilles, or floor vents. When accessing ceiling or wall registers, make sure you have a safe working platform and use extreme caution.
A temperature reading of the ducted return air grille and filter should be taken. Get as close to the return air as possible. Again, exercise caution when gaining access. You’ll essentially measure the ambient air condition if taken from a standing height away from the return air point.
Bottom Line
The final takeaway is that you have to keep your HVAC system cleaned and running in a normal condition. While you get the Air conditioner or Heater Installation services North Richland Hills TX, do not forget to get the manual instructions. Read them to know when and how to maintain the unit to avoid costly repairs.