The Top 10 Mistakes Homeowners Make with HVAC Maintenance

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You paid good money for your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system. Don’t let those dollars go down the drain. A bit of maintenance will go a long way toward keeping your system in perfect condition.
Be sure to avoid these common mistakes:

1. Skipping a Yearly HVAC Inspection
Inspecting your HVAC system on a yearly basis will help stop the little problems before they become big ones.

2. Failing to Clean Evaporator and Condenser Coils
The damp nature of evaporator and condenser coils allows them to them serve as a perfect breeding ground for mold and microbes. Those are two things you don’t want growing in your house.

3. Neglecting to Inspect the Fan
Clean the fan blades if necessary and check to be sure that its motors are running in the right direction. Excessive noise, vibration or heat could indicate a problem with the bearings. Check the belts, as well, to ensure the proper tension and alignment.

4. Overlooking the Region around the Air Intake
The air intake is another area in which water can collect and mold can grow. When this happens, the system can suck the spores directly into your living area. Be sure to keep this area dry.

5. Missing Leaks in the Cabinet and Supply Duct
Always repair air leaks as soon as you can. Replace screws and latches if necessary and patch or replace any defective gaskets.

6. Forgetting to Clean and Adjust the Dampers
The extremely common problem of defective damper operation can adversely affect the quality of your indoor air. Be sure to keep dampers clean and properly lubricated to prevent them from sticking and markedly reducing your cooling efficiency.

7. Ignoring the Condition of the Air Filters
Just as is true of the one in your car, an air filter in your HVAC system will only do the job correctly when it is clean and new. Replace yours at least once every six months.

8. Disregarding a Musty Odor
If you detect a musty odor, you have a leak somewhere. Make sure it isn’t coming from your HVAC system.

9. Discounting the Manufacturer’s Maintenance Instructions
Your manufacturer knows best, and your unit’s instruction manual will contain important recommendations and schedules for performing maintenance.

10. Using an Unqualified HVAC Specialist
An improperly installed or poorly repaired HVAC system is bound to cause problems down the road. Always use a qualified plumbing and heating company to ensure that your HVAC specialist knows what he is doing.

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