For most of us, the only time we think about our heating and cooling system is when it fails to do its job. You set the thermostat once and forget about it, and assume your home will remain comfortable without any effort on your part. Until one day, you are sitting at your desk in the middle of July and your house is a little toastier than you recall it being. Or it’s January and your winter heating bill has inexplicably doubled. By the time you recognize that something has gone wrong, you are past the point of calling in a simple repair. You are on your way to a major replacement expense.
HVAC maintenance is one of those topics that no one finds particularly riveting. Kind of like getting your oil changed or cleaning out your gutters. We all know it has to be done and that it’s one of those tasks that, in the long run, actually pays for itself multiple times over. The same is true for your heating and cooling system. The basic reason for this is that if you keep your system in good working order it is going to last longer. It will also require fewer parts replacements and repairs.
Why Should I Care About HVAC Maintenance?
Heating and cooling equipment has more heavy lifting to do than just about any other appliance in your home. While your dishwasher might cycle on and off for an hour per day, your HVAC system can be running twelve hours or more a day when the temperature is high or low. That kind of activity will take a toll over time.
On average, systems last between ten and fifteen years, but that is only with annual maintenance and attention. Fail to care for your HVAC system, and you may find yourself at the fifteen year mark replacing major components that should still have years of life left in them. The difference between a system that dies prematurely and one that goes the distance is generally down to care and maintenance. A furnace that gets its annual tune-up can outlive one that gets ignored by five years or more.
Salmon HVAC has seen systems that should have expired years before still chugging along because their owners were proactive about basic maintenance. We’ve also seen brand-new equipment fail way ahead of schedule because no one bothered with the simple stuff like filter changes or spring checkups.
How Your System Works
The first step to maintaining something is understanding how it works. Your HVAC system is not one single piece of machinery. It’s actually a number of components working in tandem, and each of those pieces requires care and maintenance of its own.
Your thermostat is the brains of the operation, telling all of the other parts when to turn on and what temperature to aim for. Modern smart thermostats can even learn your schedule and adjust automatically. These can help you save fifteen percent or more on heating and cooling bills. But the fanciest smart thermostat can’t compensate for a dirty filter or a failing compressor.
Your furnace or air handler pumps conditioned air throughout your home via your ductwork. In winter, the furnace makes the heat. In summer, the air handler circulates cool air from your AC unit. Both of these workhorses are on duty constantly during the peak season, and it is for that reason that they require a modicum of regular maintenance. A furnace that goes bad is not just uncomfortable, it can also be downright dangerous. Carbon monoxide leaks are a real hazard with furnaces that are not well-maintained.
Condenser and Compressor
The condenser and compressor handle the outdoor part of the cooling process. The compressor pushes refrigerant throughout your system, while the condenser releases heat outdoors. When these parts become clogged with dirt, leaves, or other debris, your efficiency takes a dive. A dirty condenser can reduce cooling capacity by thirty percent and raise your energy bills.
Seasonal Preparation
Spring has sprung, and all of a sudden everyone suddenly remembers they have an air conditioner. Don’t wait until the first ninety-degree day to discover that your AC isn’t cooling. Begin your cooling season preparation in early spring, before everyone else gets started.
Go outside and take a look at your condenser unit. Got a bunch of stuff piled up around it? Leaves, grass clippings, dirt, cottonwood seeds, whatever. Remove all of that stuff. Your unit requires airflow to function properly, and all of that junk is choking it down. While you are out there, check your condenser fins. If they are bent, you can straighten them out with a fin comb. This is a simple step that will improve heat exchange and raise your efficiency noticeably.
Change your air filter if you have not already done so recently. A clogged air filter makes your system work harder, which wastes energy and puts unnecessary strain on your components. Check your filters monthly, and change them every one to three months depending on your home and your filters. If you have pets or children, expect to be changing your filters more frequently.
Fall maintenance is more heating system focused. Change your air filter again and give your furnace a once-over. If you have a gas or oil furnace, you should absolutely make certain your venting is clear. A blocked flue can trap dangerous exhaust fumes in your home. This is not a situation where you want to guess. Call Salmon HVAC or another qualified professional if you have the slightest doubt and let them take a look.
Thermostat settings are also worth your while. Upgrading to a programmable model lets you automatically reduce temps when you sleep or are away, saving you money without sacrificing comfort when you are home. Some newer systems can even learn your patterns and adjust themselves, making them hands off.
Things You Can Do
You do not need to be an HVAC tech to keep your system in good working order. A number of maintenance steps are perfectly safe for homeowners to take.
Replacing air filters is near the top of the list. It takes five minutes, costs a few dollars, and vastly improves system performance. Pull the old filter out every month and check its condition. Hold it up to a light. Can you see through it? If not, it is time to change it. This single simple act can reduce your energy bills fifteen percent.
Keep your outdoor unit clear of debris. Go around it once a month during peak season and clear away anything you find. Maintain a two-foot clearance on all sides to ensure good airflow. If you notice dirt buildup on the fins, spray them off gently with your garden hose. Do not use a pressure washer, though, as that can bend or damage the delicate fins.
Program your thermostat to make sure it is set properly. Higher in summer when you are gone, lower in winter when you are away. Every degree you adjust saves roughly three percent on heating and cooling costs. Multiply that by your entire cooling or heating season and those savings add up quick.
When to Call in a Professional
There are certain jobs that should only be done by an expert. Weird noises from your system are almost always an indication that something is wearing out or has already failed. Grinding sounds typically mean motor bearings are on their way out. Banging or clanking indicates loose components. Hissing means refrigerant leaks. None of these are DIY repairs.
A sudden unexplained increase in energy bills also means your system’s efficiency is out of whack. There could be a refrigerant leak, or loose ductwork, or a struggling compressor. Only a trained technician can pinpoint the issue and repair it before the situation worsens.
Complete system failure is obviously the point where you need professional intervention.
However, so are recurring problems. If you are tripping your breaker weekly or constantly resetting your thermostat because you can’t get temperatures to stabilize, you should call for service. These are indicators of underlying issues that will only get more expensive the longer you let them linger.
Salmon HVAC always recommends a twice-yearly professional tune-up: once in spring for your cooling system and again in fall for your heater. At these times, technicians go over components most homeowners cannot access, such as checking refrigerant levels, testing electrical connections, cleaning coils, and looking for small problems that, if left, become big headaches.
The Bottom Line
Your HVAC system is a major investment in your home’s comfort and value. Maintaining that investment does not take much effort—just a bit of regular care and seasonal preparation. Change those filters, keep outdoor units clear, program your thermostat intelligently, and schedule professional maintenance twice a year.
Do those things and your system will reward you with better performance, lower energy bills, and a longer lifespan. Fail to do those things, and you will spend more on repairs and replacements than you ever saved by neglecting care and maintenance. I think the choice is rather clear when you think about it that way.
FAQ
How often should I service my HVAC system?
Twice per year: once in spring before cooling season and once in fall before heating season. This way problems are caught early and you have peace of mind that your system will run efficiently when you need it most. Regular maintenance can also extend the lifespan of your system by several years and prevent costly emergency repairs.
How often should I replace my HVAC air filter?
Every one to three months is typical, but you should check it monthly and replace more frequently if you have pets, children, or allergies. A dirty filter causes poor airflow, which makes your system work harder and increases energy costs. Hold your filter up to a light source—if you can’t see through it, it’s time for a new one.
Can I perform HVAC maintenance myself, or should I hire a professional?
Basic tasks like filter changes, clearing debris from outdoor units, and thermostat programming are all fine to do yourself. However, complex maintenance such as refrigerant level checks, electrical connection inspections, coil cleaning, and system performance testing should be left to a professional. A combination of DIY and professional maintenance will give you the best results.
What size HVAC system does my home need?
That depends on your home’s square footage, insulation, windows, ceiling height, and climate. Oversized systems cycle on and off too often, wasting energy and causing wear. Undersized systems run constantly without achieving comfortable temperatures. A qualified HVAC technician should evaluate your home and recommend the correct size for best efficiency.
Why is my HVAC system running but not heating or cooling properly?
This can happen for several reasons. A clogged air filter restricts airflow, low refrigerant levels, dirty coils reduce heat transfer efficiency, thermostat calibration issues, or ductwork leaks are possible culprits. Start by checking your filter and thermostat settings. If the problem continues, call a professional to diagnose and repair the problem before it causes further damage.