When Should I Have My HVAC System Maintained?
Your HVAC system is just like any other piece of machinery out there, it needs regular maintenance to keep it running in at peak performance. But because it is often hidden in your attic or behind your home, many of us find it easy to forget about scheduling maintenance as often as it is needed.
In this piece, we’ll tell you more about HVAC maintenance. You’ll learn how often you need it, the best times of the year to get it, and some reasons to get immediate help from a trained and qualified HVAC professional.
How Often Should You Service Your HVAC System?
The service on your system is dependent on the health of it. Every HVAC system should be looked at least once a year. For our maintenance service clients, we usually schedule two maintenance service calls a year as the high heat and humidity can put a huge strain on the units in the southern United States. To make things a little easier, our team at Carolina Comfort can send you automated reminders when it’s time for your next round of HVAC maintenance.
That way, you never have to second guess or forget about maintenance. If you have an older system, you can expect to need maintenance and HVAC repairs more often. Whenever something goes wrong, it’s always best to bring in a pro.
When Is the Best Time of Year to Service HVAC Systems?
Our team always suggests doing a check in the Spring. Why? You want to make sure your AC is working well before our hot Carolina Summer comes along. By doing the work in Spring, you’ll have ease of mind knowing that your AC will be blowing cold air on you all Summer. Keep in mind, this check-up shouldn’t be the only time you think about your HVAC system. Preventative HVAC system maintenance needs to be done throughout the year. We recommend having your second maintenance done in the fall to get your system ready for the colder days.
Preventative HVAC System Maintenance
Sometimes when you go to the doctor, you’ll hear them talk about “preventative measures” or “preventative surgeries”. The idea is that a small change today can help you to avoid a huge problem in the future. Within your home’s HVAC system, the same concept is at play. There is one main way you can prevent a major issue by doing a small amount of maintenance.
Replace the Air Filter Regularly
Air filters get clogged with dust and debris over time. When that happens, your system has to work harder and gets strained more. The quick way to keep your system running smoothly is to replace your air filters every 1 to 3 months. The process is pretty easy to do, and you probably don’t need a professional to help out. If you get lost, you can ask one of our guys to show you how so you can change them on your own in the future. Make sure you’re using the right size for your filter and you put it in correctly – the filter should tell you which side needs to be facing outward.
Signs That You Should Service Your HVAC System ASAP
Maintenance can help prevent major damage that costs a lot of money. These are some common signs that can indicate that there’s a bigger problem. Keep an eye out for these issues and call for HVAC maintenance if you see any of these problems.
Only Blows Warm Air
There’s nothing like warm air coming out of your vents in the middle of August. Despite it being the most miserable experience, there are a number of reasons why this might happen, from a clogged evaporator coil to poor indoor air quality or unchecked indoor humidity.
Whatever the reason, don’t be tempted to turn down the thermostat even more. This will add more stress to your system and waste more energy, resulting in a higher electric bill. Instead call your local HVAC professional to start on your repairs!
Turns on and Off on Its Own
Unless you have ghosts living with you, your system should only turn on and off when you tell it to. This could be a sign of a faulty blower motor, excessive dirt buildup, or failing mechanical or electrical parts. When this happens, it’s called “short cycling”. It’s definitely a problem because your home won’t ever achieve the desired temperature on your thermostat and it won’t just fix itself. Time to call for help.
Making Loud and/or Strange Noises
hen things go bump in the night in your HVAC ducts, you should call a professional technician. Without more information, it’s tough to diagnose this problem. It could be a loose part, something missing, or a leak in your system. A pro will be able to take a closer look at your system and find the culprit.
Unexpectedly High Energy Bills
When your electric bill spikes and you don’t know why, you might be able to blame your HVAC. After all, your heating and AC usually make up the most expensive part of your monthly electric bill. This is another problem that can be the outcome of many different things. It could be due to dirty or clogged air filters, motors failing, not enough refrigerant, an old system on the fritz, or a leak in your ducts.
A pro will fix this problem and you should see immediate savings on your energy bill. If it entails installing a new HVAC system, you can even opt for a more energy-efficient option to see further energy savings.
Overall Poor Air Flow
Your HVAC system only works if it gets enough air to pass through. If something is restricting airflow through the system, the air that comes out of your vents might not be cool enough. This is one of those issues that is really hard to diagnose and fix on your own. It’s best to let the pros handle this one.
Pick the Right Team to Maintain Your Home’s HVAC System
A checkup every Spring and regular routine maintenance will help your HVAC system stay healthy. If you want the right team to maintain your HVAC system, you can rely on Carolina Comfort. Reach out to us today and we’ll tell you how we can help.
5636 Bush River Rd.
Columbia, SC 29212
SC License – #M104545
NC License – #32356
Phone: (803) 794-5526
