As the weather changes, the temperature you set your thermostat at does too. HVAC seasonal maintenance helps ensure your AC system works properly year-round, but most importantly during the shift from heating to cooling — when you need it most.
You may be wondering, “What does HVAC seasonal maintenance include?” Consider this guide your one-stop-shop to all things HVAC seasonal maintenance.
Why is HVAC Seasonal Maintenance Worth it?
Your HVAC system is working hard to keep your indoor temperatures comfortable all year long. This can be quite difficult through fluctuating temperatures, such as hot summer days to cool, comfortable nights. Proper HVAC seasonal maintenance can help ensure your unit is prepared to handle the heavy work of temperature regulation without faltering, failing, or needing to be replaced.
Having your HVAC unit tended to by a professional is the best way to keep your system running at peak performance levels all year long. Not only that, but effective seasonal maintenance can help you save on energy costs.
What Does HVAC Seasonal Maintenance Include?
It’s perfectly normal for a homeowner to ask, “What does HVAC seasonal maintenance include?” You want to ensure that you’re getting your money’s worth for a maintenance visit and that your HVAC system will get through the summer months without failing. However, it’s worth noting that there’s no real “industry standard” for what must be included in an HVAC seasonal maintenance visit.
Specific work may vary from one contractor to another, so you should always feel comfortable asking what exactly is included in a maintenance visit and what that visit will cost. As a homeowner, it’s your right to know what services you’re receiving and the total cost for that job. Ask your HVAC specialist for a clear list of what their seasonal maintenance visit will include.
Here are some services you might expect to see on a summer HVAC seasonal maintenance visit:
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Checking all electrical connections and tightening as necessary.
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Inspecting the system controls to ensure all are in working order.
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Inspecting the coils and cleaning off any dust and debris.
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Inspecting the filters and cleaning or replacing as needed.
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Checking refrigerant levels and pressures, and replacing as needed.
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Inspecting the blowers and fans, and cleaning as needed.
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Replacing any system parts that are showing signs of damage.
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Checking all moving parts and lubricating as needed.
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Verifying the operating temperatures are accurate.
HVAC Seasonal Tune Up vs. Preventative Maintenance
“Tune-up” and “preventative maintenance” are terms that HVAC professionals throw around often, but what is the difference between the two? An HVAC seasonal tune-up is different from preventative maintenance, and here is how:
Seasonal Tune-Up
A seasonal tune-up should always be done by a professional. These tune-ups are best done in the early spring and early fall as your HVAC system transitions from one season into another. A spring seasonal tune-up focuses on your air conditioning unit while the fall tune-up focuses on your heating unit.
The purpose of a seasonal tune-up is to keep your unit running throughout the entire season without any breakdowns. It helps make your unit more effective, efficient, and capable.
Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is something that you as a homeowner can take part in, but it’s also something your HVAC professional can help you with. You can and should perform preventative maintenance tasks throughout the year to help keep your HVAC unit in the best shape possible.
The purpose of preventative maintenance is to catch potential malfunctions and avoid premature HVAC replacement. Many different tasks fall under the category of “preventative maintenance,” but here are a few that you can perform as a homeowner:
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Change out your HVAC system’s air filters regularly.
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Listen for noises and strange vibrations.
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Check for evaporator coil leaks.
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Keep the condenser coil clean.
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Visually inspect the outdoor compressor and keep debris cleared away.
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Inspect all wiring and electrical components.
Schedule Your HVAC Seasonal Maintenance Visit
The professionals at John C. Flood are trained to catch any and all potential HVAC problems early on. We pride ourselves on offering expert service, dedicated customer support, and competitive pricing — we even offer coupons!
Contact us today at 703-214-5611 for same day service!
