Being a homeowner is a milestone in life. It is a way of saying that “I have something that I will build equity in, as well as have memories and a home base for my family.” In short, there are plenty of benefits to homeownership. That being said, there are some costs. One big cost, of course, is keeping the home humming along.
If you think about it, your home is a place with a number of systems on which you constantly rely to make sure that you and your family can function. From having a stove that will give you a flame, a refrigerator that will keep things cool, and plumbing that will properly control water flow; to an electrical system that keeps the lights working, and a microwave that . . . you know . . . microwaves things.
Of course, a big system in which you put plenty of reliance, particularly in the summer months, is your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. When the summer gets hot and sticky here in southern Florida, your AC is the only thing keeping you sane. Of course, there are the odd days in winter that get a little cold. Making sure that the heat is ready to go on those rare occasions is also pretty important.
How do you get a little control over whether your HVAC system will be ready to go when you need it? Well, going through a checklist of inspections of course. Just like airline pilots go through a pre-flight checklist to make sure ‘all systems are go’ before a flight, you want to regularly inspect your HVAC system so all systems go there too.
Unlike a plane flight, however, a daily HVAC inspection is entirely unnecessary. Once a year though? Well, that makes a little more sense.
Accordingly, this blog will give you a “7 and 7 Indoor/Outdoor HVAC Checklist” of things you should be sure to check in your HVAC system annually. Remember, a long time with no maintenance could result in expensive repairs or the need to completely replace your system. So, keeping up on HVAC maintenance ensures efficient operation, and avoids big problems from cropping up.
At Aztil Air Conditioning, we are ready to help you keep your HVAC system up and running efficiently. As a top local AC service provider in the Palm Beach area, we are ready to give your home an air conditioning checkup. Give us a call to get more details about what we can do to keep your AC system rolling along. Our number is 888-729-8452, or you can fill out our online contact form.
The Checklist – Annual (or More Frequent) Inspections
This list is broken down into two parts – the indoor portion and the outdoor portion. Make sure you do all of these checks when the system is turned off – just to be on the safe side. Both parts of your HVAC system have a number of moving pieces, so you may want to keep this list handy for future use.
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Indoor Check
- Air filters. The easiest thing to keep an eye on is your air filter. To avoid having dirt pulled into your system, clean your filter once a month, and change it every three months for optimal efficiency.
- Blower & Burner Assembly. Keeping the blower wheel and blower motor, and their housing, clean is good for airflow. Moreover, you can use a brush or small vacuum attachment to clean the burner assembly, when necessary.
- System Shell. Minimize dust and dirt by wiping down the AC unit shell, and keep combustible material away from your indoor HVAC unit to avoid any fire hazards.
- Ductwork. It is possible that leaks might cause you to lose air from the outside. Look over your ductwork, in the attic and basement in particular, and seal and insulate any areas that you believe are leaking air.
- Electrical Parts. It is never a bad idea to look at the electrical disconnect box and the wire connections, and tighten any connections as needed.
- Evaporator Coil. Be sure to check the drain pan and keep an eye on whether the drain lines need to be flushed or cleaned. You would be wise to consult a professional regarding the coil.
- Additional Checks. Look out for your furnace’s flue system, any gas leaks, the heat exchanger and heating elements, as well as the ignition system and motor.
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Outdoor Check
- Cabinet & Coils. Remove leaves and any debris from the outside unit’s cabinet housing, as well as from the coils.
- Base Pan. Take a look to see that there are no blockages that would block things from draining into the base pan. Also, remove any debris as needed.
- Compressor. Check to see if there is any damage to the compressor or its tubing. See that the wire connections are properly in place.
- Control Box. The wiring connections to the control box should have no damage so that they operate at an optimum level. This includes all of the contractors, circuit boards, and other components in the box.
- Fan Motor and Fan Blades. Look over the fan blades for any wear or damage (again, remember that we are looking at the system while the system is turned off). Check the fan belt tension as well.
- Refrigerant. Too much refrigerant is a waste of refrigerant, and too little impacts the efficiency of your system. Check to see that the refrigerant level is at the right level and pressure.
- Area Around the Unit. Keep the area around the outdoor unit free of any lawn clutter – like leaves, twigs, dirt, toys, and lawn-care equipment.
So, there you have it. The “7 and 7 Indoor/Outdoor HVAC Checklist.” Now, you may see that a lot of the items on the checklist are things that you might feel a little uncomfortable or unqualified to inspect, let alone clean around. Do not be afraid. A lot of people feel the same way, and that is why you can get peace of mind by just calling a local AC service professional.
Aztil Air Conditioning is the company that can provide you the local AC service you need. We have been in business for decades, we employ only the best HVAC technicians, and can periodically check your HVAC system for you.
For more information, call us at Aztil Air Conditioning. We are the local AC service company that you have been looking for. We do the “7 and 7” checkup, and then some. We can be reached at 888-729-8452, or you can fill out our online contact form.
