Imagine sitting on a cold windy night waiting for your HVAC maintenance provider to drive through the snow and sit in the cold until he fixes the HVAC for you!
This makes HVAC maintenance one of the most important and must-do things before the Melbourne winter accelerates to its peak.
HVAC maintenance tips ensure your HVAC works efficiently and doesn’t break down during a cold night. To avoid HVAC problems during winter, you must get your HVAC system serviced beforehand and follow these simple maintenance tips. These tips will keep your system in good condition, and bring cost savings and peace of mind!
Let’s start exploring the tips.
17 Expert Recommended Tips For Winter HVAC Maintenance
HVAC experts know how to make your HVAC system work proficiently during winter and increase its lifespan. Here are 17 expert-recommended tips to help you enjoy a cosy indoor environment easily.
Don’t Allow Snow Crowding
One of the most prominent problems that HVAC face during winter is snow accumulation around the outdoor unit. Snow crowding obstructs the airflow, and damages the components which brings heavy repair costs. Prolonged snow crowding can cause the HVAC system to shut completely, indicating the HVAC components are damaged by ice and snow.
Maintaining a clear perimeter of at least 12 inches around the outdoor unit, monitoring condensate lines and blockages, and clearing snow regularly will save the system from damage and prevent strain.
Replace Or Clean The Air Filters
Air filters have a profound effect on the HVAC system and your indoor environment, too. They have done their job tremendously during the summers and now they need little care before winter starts.
Replacing the old, damaged air filters, or cleaning away the accumulated dust, dirt and debris will remove the burden from HVAC and let it work efficiently, without consuming additional energy.
Read more: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Your HVAC Filter.
Clean The Ductwork
With time mould, and bacteria can grow inside the ductwork, or debris can accumulate, causing harm to the HVAC system. Cleaning the ductwork ensures there are no clogs inside the ducts and maintains proper airflow. The enhanced workflow reduces the workload of your system and improves its energy efficiency. Regular ductwork cleaning also saves the ducts from wear and tear in the long run.
Unblock All Registers And Vents
Rugs, furniture and curtains create a physical barrier, disrupting the airflow indoors. Experts suggest removing all the things that block the registers and vents to maintain a smooth airflow. Maintaining airflow is crucial to achieve even thermal comfort in indoor spaces and lessen the burden from HVAC systems.
Clean The Furnace Cabinet And Surrounding Area
The furnace is crucial for your HVAC system as it generates heat and helps circulate it to the surrounding area. Keeping it clean is essential to obtain energy efficiency and safety in indoor spaces. Cleaning the furnace includes wiping down its exterior, cleaning the inside cabinet and surrounding area, and vacuuming around the furnace. This step is extremely beneficial for keeping the indoors warm during winter.
A clean furnace and its surrounding area also protect from the fire hazard.
Test The Thermostat
One of the most feasible and effective things to maintain your HVAC for winter is to test the thermostat if it is working perfectly. A perfectly working thermostat measures the temperature correctly and maximizes comfort and energy savings.
Adjust The Thermostat
The ideal temperature to set the thermostat is between 18℃-20 ℃ all through the year as it maximises thermal comfort and saves energy. As the weather changes from hot to cold, you may want to adjust the thermostat a little higher to fight the cold but it will burdenise the system and consume more energy. However, if there is a baby or elderly in your home, you can raise 2℃-3℃ more and make adjustments according to their requirements. Learn more.
Install A Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat automatically controls the opening and closing and temperature settings of HVAC in indoor spaces according to the user’s requirements. Installing a programmable thermostat reduces stress from the HVAC system and increases its life.
Check Refrigerant Level
Refrigerant plays an important role in heating or cooling the indoor air. Ensuring proper refrigerator levels in HVAC brings optimal performance, energy efficiency, prevent wear and tear, and constant temperature control. Checking refrigerant levels is a part of routine HVAC maintenance which professionals would never skip.
Check The HVAC System For Leaks
To get uninterrupted thermal comfort during winter it is recommended to inspect the system for leaks or damages. The HVAC system will lose refrigerant and conditioned air from the leaks, causing stress on it, and eventually system failure. Checking the HVAC system for leaks will eliminate the risks and keep you stress-free throughout the season.
Consider Adding Insulation To Your HVAC System
Insulating the components of the HVAC system, along with your space has a positive effect on the overall system’s performance and energy efficiency. It is important to seal the ductwork and use appropriate insulating materials to ensure proper insulation.
After adding insulation it’s equally important to regularly inspect and maintain insulation for optimum performance.
Improve Your Space’s Insulation
Improving your space’s insulation is essential to improve its energy efficiency and maintain warmth. Insulation also prevents the loss of conditioned air. Properly insulating the attics, and walls, sealing the drafts and loft hatch, and covering the windows and floor is important. You must insulate the space with appropriate materials to get the maximum benefits.
Perform Visual Inspection Of The System
As an HVAC owner, you must regularly perform a visual inspection of the system to see if there are any visible signs of damage. It will help you to pick up any signs of damage early, before they grow into major problems, saving you from hefty repair costs and system damage. Visual inspection will help improve energy efficiency and extend the system’s life.
Keep The Unit And Compressor Clean
Dirt and dust can easily make their way inside the unit causing problems in the performance and breakdowns in the system. Weekly cleaning of the outer side of the unit and compressor will save the system from unexpected breakdown, improve its performance and efficiency, increase the lifespan and bring cost savings.
You may also ask professionals like Surrey Air for help in cleaning the compressor.
Cover The Outdoor Unit
The outdoor unit is exposed to dirt, debris and snow during winter. Covering the unit will protect the outdoor unit, its components and the complete HVAC system from routine wear and tear and failure. It’s important to note that you must cover the outdoor unit with waterproof breathable coverings and build a small structure around using plywood and bricks for its safety.
In any case, you should avoid using plastic wraps to ensure proper, and unobstructed airflow.
Test External Controls And Detectors
Various external controls and detectors such as temperature, humidity, occupancy, duct smoke, carbon monoxide, and VOC sensors are part of the HVAC system. It is important to check, calibrate and adjust these external controls/ detectors to keep indoor spaces comfortable and safe.
Consider A System Upgrade
If your HVAC system requires constant repairs, is consuming more energy or not supporting modern HVAC equipment like programmable thermostats or sensors, it’s time for a system upgrade. Maintaining an old HVAC system often costs you more than getting a new system and energy bills. Discuss your concerns with HVAC experts at Surrey Air and get the best solution for your problem.
Schedule Annual HVAC Maintenance
HVAC experts can’t emphasise enough the importance of annual HVAC maintenance. If your system has any issues, the professional experts will catch the issues before winter, and fix them right away so they won’t cause you a problem later on.
Scheduling annual HVAC maintenance also brings further benefits such as energy efficiency, enhanced performance, longevity, and cost savings on repairs and energy bills.
Following these top winter HVAC maintenance tips will ensure your HVAC provide efficient heating and keeps your indoor spaces comfortable!
