Just moved into your first home and are not sure how to maintain your HVAC system? It plays a significant role in keeping you and your family cozy and comfortable throughout the year. That’s why it’s essential to understand some of the basics when it comes to general HVAC care and upkeep. Below is a basic rundown of everything you need to know about HVAC maintenance.
Why is HVAC Maintenance Important?
As we welcome the cold Ottawa winter months, you may find yourself shutting your doors and windows and favouring your time inside. While this can be warm and comfortable, fresh air can’t enter your home as easily. Therefore, interior air will recirculate through your ducts from one room to another. This process allows particles like dust, pet dander, pollen, and debris to infiltrate your HVAC system and create stale air and, in more severe cases, mould and mildew.
Dirty air ducts impact the air quality of your home, creating unpleasant musty odours and affecting your health, especially if you are prone to allergies. That’s why cleaning your HVAC system is crucial to improve these conditions and keep you and your guests happy and healthy.
Get a Professional Air Duct Cleaning Service for the Holidays
Similar to maintaining a vehicle, the HVAC unit is an intricate system that requires regular upkeep in order to keep it function optimally. Routine care is essential for avoiding breakdowns and costly repairs while also ensuring that it’s operating as efficiently as possible, which will help lower your monthly bills. Maintenance is the key to spending less in the long run and extending the lifespan of your HVAC unit so that you can keep it running for as long as possible before having to get it replaced.
How Often Should You Have HVAC Maintenance?
The general rule of thumb is to get your HVAC unit inspected by a professional technician at least once each year. Prior to the winter season is a recommended timeframe to ensure you won’t experience any issues during a deep freeze weather system. For those who use a heat pump system that’s used throughout the year, we recommend getting it checked every six months.
Ignoring yearly maintenance can result in a loss of efficiency and reliability as the system gradually deteriorates. This can cost homeowners a lot more in energy bills and repairs. It can also increase the likelihood of homeowners having to fork out a large sum of money for an entire HVAC unit replacement.
What Does HVAC Maintenance Include?
An HVAC technician inspects everything, including the safety controls, circuits, drain line, all of the caps and valves, electrical components, as well as outdoor components. Homeowners should also make sure to perform some general duties throughout the year, such as clearing away any debris from the unit, washing any dirt that accumulates, trimming back any greenery from the outdoor unit, and changing the air filter each month to maintain good air quality.
How Do I Know if HVAC Maintenance is Necessary?
Since the HVAC unit is typically tucked away out of view, it’s easy to forget about it. But there are some common telltale signs that will indicate when it’s really time to have a maintenance check-up. Here are a few of the most common signs that it’s time to call in a technician:
Unusual Noise
Hearing some noise coming from the HVAC unit infrequently is normal, but when sudden noise that’s loud and out of the ordinary occurs, it can indicate a problem. This can include whistling, rattling, banging, or buzzing noises.
Insufficient Airflow
If the airflow seems restricted or not coming through the vents at all, this can indicate a blockage in the duck work, a clogged filter, or a broken motor.
Higher Energy Bills
When your energy bills have noticeably increased with no change in your habits, it is a common and clear indication that your unit is not operating efficiently. It could highlight a larger, underlying problem.
Bad odours
In some cases, your air conditioner might begin to produce unpleasant odours, indicating the need for a tune-up, cleaning, or another solution that your technician can recommend.
If you suspect a blockage in your ductwork, contact us at Power Vac of Ottawa for a thorough and professional cleaning. Cleanings can help to maintain propel airflow and allow your HVAC unit to operate efficiently.