Designing the Best Heating and Cooling Maintenance Schedule for Your Home
When you own a home, there are a few tasks you must take into consideration when keeping up with maintenance. One of the most important tasks is designing a heating and cooling maintenance schedule. Keeping up with maintenance will not only help save energy, but it can also help avoid more costly repairs in the future.
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Why Is It Important To Have a Maintenance Program?
Having a regular heating and cooling maintenance schedule is essential to keeping your home energy-efficient and effectively heated or cooled. A maintenance program will help you monitor and schedule regular preventative maintenance on your equipment. Working to fix any small issues ahead of time will also save you money by avoiding any costly repairs that come with postponing maintenance until the last minute.
What Should You Include In Your Program?
When designing your heating and cooling maintenance program, make sure to include the following items:
Filter Replacements
Standard fiberglass filters should be replaced every month, or sooner in the case of areas with high dirt and dust levels, like construction sites. If you have a more advanced filter (HEPA or electrostatic filters) you will only have to replace it every few months.
Cleaning the Condensing Coils
Cleaning the condensing coils once in a while should be part of your maintenance program. Begin by turning off the power to the unit and then spraying the coils with a nozzle connected to a hose and lightly brushing them with a steel brush.
Testing Safety Controls
Make sure to inspect, check and test all safety controls like system pressure switches, outdoor air temperature sensors and more to make sure they are all working properly.
Tune-Ups
Tune-ups on your heating and cooling system should be done twice a year: once during the spring before the cooling season and again during the fall before the heating season.
What Are The Benefits Of Having A Maintenance Program?
- Reduced Operating Costs: A well-maintained system will run more efficiently and use less energy, which will lower your bills
- Extended Equipment Life: Regular maintenance extends the life of your equipment and helps you avoid more costly repairs in the future
- Improved Air Quality: Proper maintenance will keep the air in your home clean and free from dust, bacteria, and other particles
- Performance and Reliability: When your system is maintained regularly, it will perform better and be more reliable for your family
Designing a home heating and cooling maintenance schedule can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Taking the time to follow the steps above and create a program that works for you and your family will help keep you in control of your home’s climate—and your wallet.
