What’s Included With an HVAC Tuneup?
Whether it’s your vehicle or your HVAC system, an annual tuneup is always a good idea if you want either item to operate efficiently and last longer than its expected life cycle. Although an upfront investment, a professional HVAC tuneup pays for itself and puts more savings in your pocket by lowering utility bills, reducing the need for repairs and helping avoid premature replacement costs. With that said, here’s what every professional HVAC tuneup for units in Lexington, Kentucky, should include.
Change the HVAC Filter
There are two HVAC maintenance tasks every homeowner can safely complete on their own without the help of a professional service technician, and the first is changing the HVAC filter. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, homeowners should check their filter monthly during the hottest and coldest months of year. If the filter looks dirty after a month, you should change it. And remember to never use a filter for longer than three months; otherwise, it’ll make your system work harder, waste energy and contribute to poor indoor air quality.
Check the Condensate Drain Line
The second HVAC maintenance task every homeowner can perform on their own is to check the condensate drain line, which is located near your outdoor unit. The purpose of the condensate line is to safely remove moisture from your AC system, which it has gathered while removing heat out of your home’s air. This is an especially important AC maintenance task, because a clogged line can lead to problems that can result in system repairs.
3 Common Issues Resulting From a Clogged Condensate Line
- Frozen air conditioner. A clogged condensate line will trap water in your unit, and the evaporator coil will eventually freeze it. The moisture inside the drain line will also turn to ice.
- Overflowing drain pan. The condensate drain pan sits under your AC’s evaporator coil. If the line clogs, the excess moisture will collect and the pan will eventually overflow. This promotes microbial growth and can lead to illness if you breathe any of the air that has passed over the contaminated pan.
- Property damage. While a clogged condensate line damages your air conditioner, it can also damage your property. An overflowing drain pan can also cause leaks that damage drywall, flooring and electrical wiring.
If you notice that your condensate line is clogged, you can use a Shop-Vac to unclog it, and then pour diluted bleach down the pipe to eliminate mildew build-up. If you have trouble unclogging it, a professional service technician can help to avoid costly future repairs.
Contact an HVAC Contractor for the Following Tasks
Although the two aforementioned tasks are safe and simple enough for a homeowner to perform on their own, it’s always best to leave a comprehensive tuneup to a professional service technician who’s trained to work with HVAC equipment.
- Check operating pressures and amperage draw
- Clean and calibrate all controls in the unit
- Inspect for refrigerant leaks and check the charge
- Make minor electrical or mechanical adjustments
- Lubricate motors and inspect all wiring
If you have questions about why preventive HVAC maintenance is so important, or if you’d like to schedule a tuneup today, check out our FAQ page or contact Stivers HVAC at 859-226-0809. We look forward to helping homeowners in Lexington, Kentucky, optimize their HVAC system’s performance and make sure they’re saving as much as possible.
