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A Guide to Fall HVAC Maintenance

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Originally Posted On: A Guide to Fall HVAC Maintenance | (antonshvac.com)

 

A typical HVAC system will last anywhere from 12-15 years. However, with proper HVAC maintenance, you can increase the life expectancy of your HVAC system.

Do you want to learn more about fall HVAC maintenance and what you should include in your service? Keep reading these maintenance tips!

Clean Your Ducts

First things first, you want to make sure you clean our ducts and other registers in your HVAC system. These often get exposed to a lot of dirt and other types of debris, so these may gain access to your HVAC system.

Duct cleaning can remove bacteria, dander, and other toxins from your HVAC system. In fact, many people find mold growing in their air ducts and other parts of their HVAC systems. By cleaning out your air ducts and removing mold, you can prevent yourself and your family from breathing in dangerous spores and will have better air purification.

You may also want to look into duct sealing to prepare for winter.

Clean Compressor

Next, you want to clean the compressor of your HVAC system. This is especially important if you have an outdoor compressor, as it is easy for dirt, leaves, and other debris to build up throughout the year.

First, use a soft brush and a vacuum to clean the fins of your compressor! You can also straighten any bent fins that you notice as you are vacuuming. Once you have vacuumed the outer area of your compressor, you should detach the top of the unit and carefully lift the fan outside.

Then, you can vacuum the inside of your compressor unit and wipe down any remaining dirt or dust with a cloth. Once it is cleaned, you can reassemble it!

Change Air Filter

One thing that is vital to maintaining your HVAC system is to consistently check your air filters and replace them when needed. When you have a dirty air filter, your HVAC system is likely getting overworked and becoming less efficient. When this happens, you are causing excess strain on your system and it may wear out more quickly.

By changing your air filters, you will be able to regulate the temperature in your house more efficiently and your HVAC system will last longer.

Having a dirty air filter can also be bad for your indoor air quality. Not only can this circulate dangerous contaminants in your home, but it can also increase your exposure to allergens.

While you want to change your air filters every 1-3 months, you should always check your filters before you winterize your HVAC unit in the fall.

Prevent Clogged Condensate Drain Line

Another important step in fall HVAC maintenance is to prevent your condensate line from clogging and buildup. The condensate line is what keeps condensation from building up in your HVAC unit. If this line is clogged, it is often due to algae, mold, or other growth.

Not only is this bad for your HVAC unit, but it can also make your home smell musty, feel more humid, and can even lead to water damage. If you notice that your line is clogged, you can put a mixture of bleach and water through your line to remove any growth and to keep it from forming.

Cover Outdoor Unit

Finally, the last maintenance you should do on your own is to cover the outdoor condenser unit. This is especially important if you live in an area with extreme weather. Covering your condenser protects your HVAC unit from natural elements.

This includes preventing dirt and other debris from building up, and even keep small animals from nesting inside. If you live in an area that frequently has snow in the winter, this cover can also prevent snow and unwanted moisture from seeping into your outdoor HVAC unit. This means you are less likely to have rust and other issues with our machinery!

If you do not have a cover for your condenser unit, you can find them at any home improvement store.

Get Annual Preventative Maintenance

While most maintenance can be done on your own, there are other things that a professional company can help you with. This is why it is beneficial to get annual preventative maintenance for your HVAC system. Not only will this make HVAC maintenance much easier, but it can also make your system last much longer.

In this maintenance, you will have an HVAC technician take a look at your unit and look for any issues. Then, they will lubricate each part of your system, tighten any connections, check the gas connections to prevent leaks, and more.

They will also make sure your thermostat is correctly calibrated to ensure it is working as it should. The HVAC technician will also do everything to make sure your HVAC can turn on, operate, and shut down as it should. By hiring a professional technician to do this maintenance, you can be sure that your system will last longer and will have fewer repairs needed.

Call a Professional HVAC Maintenance Company Today

Maintaining an HVAC system can be difficult to do on your own. If this fall HVAC maintenance checklist seems overwhelming, you can find a professional company to help you! Not only will they help you maintain your HVAC system, but they can also help you prevent any problems from coming up.

Do you need help with your St. Louis HVAC system? Anton’s Air Conditioning and Heating can help! We are a St. Louis heating and air company and we can help you with maintenance, repairs, and more.

Contact our team today to learn more about our services or to set up an appointment with our HVAC technicians!

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