HVAC Maintenance Tips

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If you own a home with an HVAC unit you may replace filters every once in a while but the maintenance needed for the long-term health of the system is a little more involved. If not identified early, small issues can compound over time and become quite costly to remedy. The most common issues that may arise with an HVAC unit are described below.

Regular Maintenance

It is critical to make sure the HVAC unit is kept in good working order through regular service. Work with a professional technician and follow the recommended maintenance calendar. Performing regular maintenance will help to ensure issues are avoided or resolved in the early stages, helping you get as much life as possible out of the HVAC unit.

Filters that are Dirty and Clogged

One of the most common issues is HVAC filters that are dirty and clogged. Forcing an HVAC unit to work with dirty, clogged filters is a sure way to shorten its lifespan. One of the signs that the HVAC filters might be dirty is that electricity or gas bills are starting to rise. This is a sign that the HVAC unit is working too hard. If not addressed, the unit will be unable to keep up and will eventually shut down entirely. Prevent this by replacing the filters on time.

Problems with the Pilot or Ignition

Another common issue relates to the ignition of the HVAC system itself. There are a number of reasons why this might be happening. Sometimes, the pilot might be dirty. In other cases, burners or flame sensors might prevent the ignition process from proceeding. Other times, you may experience a delayed ignition of the burners or a furnace lockout. This might be due to routine wear and tear or an issue with the gas supply itself.

Problems with the Thermostat

Occasionally you may experience problems with the thermostat component. If your furnace is not calling for heat when you adjust the thermostat, the problem may be with the thermostat itself. First, review the programming if your HVAC system includes this feature. Adjusting or resetting the scheduling may resolve your issue. Alternately, if your thermostat runs on battery power, replacing the battery may resolve the issue.