A Winter HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Proper heating and cooling system maintenance should be done in the late fall/early winter and the late spring/early summer. This gives you time to find problems before they cause discomfort in the coldest and hottest parts of the year. Having a twice a year routine maintenance plan can extend the life of your unit and help save energy waste. The less energy used to keep your family comfortable, the less your utility bills will be too. Here are some of the things you should have checked on your HVAC system in the late fall/early winter season, according to the Energy Star website.

Specific to the Air Conditioning

A proper check of the air conditioner's refrigerant levels can let the technician know if they are overcharged or undercharged. Either can reduce the equipment's life and increase the energy costs by decreasing efficiency. Evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils should be cleaned. Dirty coils make the system run longer, meaning more energy waste and higher electric bills. Blower components should be cleaned and adjusted as well since airflow issues can lose up to 15 percent of your efficiency.

Specific to the Heating Furnace

Your maintenance should include a check on the gas pressure, burner combustion, heat exchanger, and gas, or oil, connections. If they are not working properly or are dirty, they can cause improper burner operation. A cracked heat exchanger should always be replaced for the safety of the unit's operation. Your maintenance of the furnace may be slightly altered depending on if it is a gas system or an oil system.

General HVAC Maintenance

All moving parts to the system should be well-lubricated. Friction can cause an increase in the energy that is used. Thermostat settings should be checked. Electrical connections need tightening to ensure the safe operation of your unit. All voltage and current should be measured for safety reasons as well. Have controls checked to make sure they are operating properly. Lastly, check the condensate drain and inspect it. If it is plugged, not only does it affect humidity levels but it can cause water damage to the inside of the home.

Little things that you can do include swapping out your furnace's air filter once a month. When these are dirty or clogged they can force the system to pump harder to get the air to flow through your home. This simple monthly habit can let your home be comfortable using less energy and increase the life span of your unit.

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Source: Energy Star