How Often Should You Service HVAC System?

Every year, as the seasons change, one should start to wonder if it is time to have their HVAC serviced. According to most HVAC system manufacturers, you have both the heating and air conditioning portion of your HVAC system serviced once a year. However, they suggest these two portions be done at two separate times. It is good practice for a homeowner to have the air conditioning serviced in the spring and the heater in the fall.

What do HVAC System Technicians Service?

In this article, we’re going to dig a little deeper into what HVAC system technicians are looking for and what may be cause for concern. We’re going to look at why you should maintain a yearly schedule and how to stay on track with your yearly HVAC service appointments. While every HVAC system is unique, it is important to have a qualified technician service and inspect your unit. So, what will they be looking at when they are servicing your HVAC?

When it comes to the air conditioning portion, here are their main concerns with your system:

• • The HVAC system Equipment’s Overall Condition
  • The Condenser Test
  • The Safety Controls
  • The Temperature Differentiation
  • Test and Charge Refrigerant
  • The HVAC system Start-Up
  • Check and Clean Evaporator Coils
  • Check Drains or Drip Pan

As for the heating portion, here are the technician’s main concerns:

• • Check the Heat Pump
  • Check the Heating Mode
  • Check the Defrost Cycle
  • Check Operation of Backup Heating Source
  • Check Ignition, Burner Assemblies and Heat Exchanger,
  • Testing Clearances
  • Testing Vents
  • Test Combustion Air
  • Test Gas Pressure and Piping

Here are a few things your local HVAC system technician will look at during their annual service:

Dirty evaporator coil that needs to be serviced.

1. Check and clean the indoor coil. If there is anything wrong they will let you know in their report.

2. Clean and replace the air filter in your HVAC unit.

HVAC technician replacing the air filter.

HVAC Technician checking the thermostat.

The condenser unit is being serviced by an HVAC technician.

3. Check the thermostat to make sure it’s calibrated properly.

4. The technician will check the out hoses and connections to make sure everything is hooked up and working properly.

HVAC technician completing yearly service.

5. The HVAC service will include an overall visual inspection of everything in the interior and exterior of the home.

The Importance of Tracking Yearly HVAC Service

While your HVAC unit can probably make it several years without being serviced, if you’re lucky, it is important to have it serviced yearly to increase the life and effectiveness of the unit. To make this easier for you, we have come up with a few ideas that you can implement to help remind yourself to continue your yearly service.

First up, upon completion of your first service, take the time to add next years’ service to your calendar. Most smartphones will maintain a yearly calendar that will allow you to set recurring appointments. This is a great way to help you remember year after year to schedule your HVAC service.

You may even be able to schedule your next appointment with your technician after your first once is finished. Some companies will also call you as your yearly appointments are due. Another great way to help you remember is to keep a log close to your unit.

Attaching a clipboard on the wall near your unit with upcoming service dates listed on it is such an example.

At the same time that you are keeping track of your yearly service, you will also want to keep track of your maintenance on the unit. According to Climate Zone – air conditioning specialists, regular maintenance that you can do between services can be items like the following:

• • Change Air Filters Regularly (Check manufacturers’ recommendations)
  • Regularly Inspect Unit for Debris
  • Regularly Check Thermostat Batteries
  • Clear and Clean Return Vents

HVAC tech cleaning air vents during yearly routine service.

How can I lower my HVAC bill?

According to anytimeplumbing.net, it’s vital that you keep up with your HVAC maintenance to avoid having costly repairs down the line. If you can catch any problems that may arise like a clogged condensate line, you won’t have to rush to call a technician during the hottest times of the year (and save a pretty penny!).

But don’t feel like we are pressuring you to pay more, instead, we have a few ways you can save on your monthly utility bill so that when the yearly service time comes, you don’t find yourself paying any extra. If you regularly do all these steps, you can find yourself saving money, even with the yearly service.

Here are 7 ways you can lower your HVAC Bill:

So what are these steps you can take? Well, we came up with eight, no-cost, ways that you can improve your HVAC efficiency and lower that monthly bill. Check them out:

Clean around your outdoor condenser unit – As long as you keep the area around your unit clean and clear of any debris, it will be able to perform optimally.

1. Vacuum indoor vents and keep them unblocked – If dust, debris, or furniture are blocking your vents, it is limiting the airflow that your system needs to function properly.

2. Adjust your thermostat – If you adjust your thermostat by five to eight degrees, down in winter and up in summer, you can save a lot of money and energy. Everyone has their comfort range when it comes to temperature, so play with this range to find your optimal comfort and save temperature adjustment. Even adjusting the thermostat by a couple of degrees can make a difference in your bill.

3. Keep heat-producing appliances away from the thermostat – Having items that produce heat around your thermostat will tell it that your home is much warmer than it is, causing it to start air conditioning your home more than what it needs. This is a big energy and money waste.

4. Strategically closing blinds and curtains – If you have windows that allow the sun to come beating in during summer, it’s best to have the curtains and or blinds closed to prevent the heating of your house. At the same time, if you have windows that don’t allow the sun to come directly in, leave them open to give natural light, instead of turning on the bulbs. In the winter, it is best to keep all the curtains and blinds open to help heat and light the house.

5. Clear your drain line – There is typically a drain by the indoor cooling coil, which is mounted above the furnace. You can keep your air conditioning drain line clean but adding bleach to it regularly. Pouring 1 cup of bleach and 1 cup of water down it a couple of times a year will keep it free from buildup and blockages. This will help eliminate the possibility of flooding due to a clogged drain.

6. Avoid using dryers and ovens – I know this one may sound crazy, but just listen. If you use a dryer or oven during the hottest part of the day, you are causing an additional intake of hot air into your home. Doing so causes your home to heat up quickly and double the workload for your air conditioning unit. In the winter, however, use them whenever you want!

7. Insulate any exposed ductwork – All homes have ductwork. This is what carries the heated or cooled air to your living spaces. If any of this ductwork is left exposed and uninsulated, you are losing some of the cool or heat that your living spaces need.

According to the Department of Energy reports, heating and cooling bills can make up over half of your total utility expenses. This makes central air conditioning part of the largest energy expenses for a typical United States home. With this being the case, if you implement the above eight tips for lowering your monthly utility bill, you can save plenty of money to start doing your yearly HVAC maintenance.

Should you get your HVAC serviced?

According to most heat, ventilation, and air conditioning manufacturer, it is suggested that you have both your heating and air conditioning systems maintenance at least once every year. The difference between these two portions of your heating ventilation and air condition system is, your heating system should be the maintenance in the fall, while your air conditioning system needs maintenance in the spring.

The reason for this is that your air conditioning system will be used the most during the summertime, and your heating system the most during winter. When you have your heating, venting and air conditioning systems maintained the season before their most-used time, it will ensure that they do not fail you when you need them the most. However, if you want to ensure your system’s longevity, you can also maintain them the season after, as well.

Condenser unit that has recently been serviced.

When you do choose to do some maintenance on your system, if you are not comfortable doing it yourself, using a heating, venting and air conditioning specialist will go a long way. When you hire a specialist, they will go over everything. From tests, checks, and safety controls, to checking for temperature differentiation, they will go over everything that could lead to system malfunction. This is why hiring a professional HVAC repair company is always recommended, if you do not know how to go over everything.

Now, even though your heating, venting, and air condition system can go a year or so without maintenance, this is not recommended. The longer you go without servicing your system, the easier it is for the system to malfunction, and the shorter you are making its lifespan. But, there are a few steps you can take to make sure you get your system is maintained regularly.

First, you can mark on your calendar when you maintained your system and set it to yearly on your smart device, or mark it on your physical calendar. If you hire a professional to do the work, as soon as your appointment is over, make sure to schedule your next appointment. And lastly, you can keep a log of the times you have maintained your system next to the system itself. All of these can help you keep your system running efficiently for a very long time. If you have any other questions about how to, or when to, service your heating, venting, and air conditioning system, you can always contact your local heat and air company for help.