Do You Treat HVAC Inspections Seriously?

Do you look at HVAC preventative maintenance as optional — that is, something you can schedule every few years, when the mood hits you? You could be courting an HVAC breakdown unless you’re faithfully scheduling an HVAC inspection every spring and fall.

Why You Need Semi-annual HVAC Inspections

The main reason for scheduling HVAC inspections is so that the technician can find potential problems before they turn into major breakdowns. A well-trained technician will go over the various components, testing performance, replacing worn parts, and cleaning the unit as needed. Some of the tasks the technician performs will be devoted to the air conditioner, some to the heating system, and others to the air handling system. The inspections should be performed in spring and fall, before the summer cooling season and the winter heating season, respectively.

Another important reason for getting an HVAC inspection twice a year is that your system will run more efficiently when it’s clean and everything is working right. When air flows properly, the system doesn’t have to work as hard, and you’ll spend less on your energy bill.

Inspection Tasks

Some of the tasks that your HVAC technician will preform for both systems, spring and fall, are to:

• Test thermostat and controls.
• Check electrical wiring and connections.
• Check ductwork for leaks.
• Check the condensate drain, cleaning if necessary.
• Measure voltage and current on motors.
• Check blower motors.

For air conditioners, he/she will:

• Check, recharge refrigerant levels. Fix leaks if found.
• Check outdoor fan motors.
• Check condenser and evaporator coils; clean them if necessary.
• Inspect compressor.

For heating systems, he/she will:

• Check outdoor fan for heat pumps.
• Inspect burners. Clean if necessary.
• Check heat exchanger. Look for cracks.
• Check refrigerant pressure, compressor, coils for heat pumps.
• Check vents and gas connections.

Spring or fall, you should also change your air filter. In fact, the filter should be changed regularly any time it shows dirt. A clean filter will promote good air flow.