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For residents of Minnesota, Minneapolis HVAC maintenance will keep your furnace working at top performance during bitter cold winters. A working furnace not only keeps you warm, it saves you money, too. If you think maintaining your HVAC unit is too much work, think again. Here are 3 simple things you can do right now that will keep your unit running better for longer. Change the Air Filter Every HVAC unit has an air filter. This component of the unit is designed to trap allergens, debris, and other small particles found in the air, so that they are not distributed through the duct and vents back out into the rooms in your home. Air filters should be changed once every 30 – 90 days. What determines how often you change the filter? Sometimes it depends on the type of filter being used. Some filters are designed to be most effective for only a month; whereas, other filters will work at optimal levels for up to 3 months. Homes that have a number of pets or have individuals that smoke in the home may need to have their filters changed more often than what is recommended on the filter’s packaging. You may also need to switch out the filter more frequently if there are individuals in the home that suffer from allergies or other respiratory conditions. Clean Your Ductwork Many homeowners already know that it is important to change the HVAC filter but fail to consider maintaining the home’s ductwork. The ducts in a home are responsible for transferring the heat or air conditioning from the HVAC unit to the various rooms in the house. If these ducts become clogged 3 things can happen: - Allergens can be released into the air;
- Rooms are heated poorly; and
- Premature failure of the HVAC unit due to stress.
HVAV companies offer ductwork cleaning specials regularly. At least once every few years, homeowners should consider purchasing this service. Provide Plenty of Clearance around the HVAC Unit Most HVAC units are located in basements or utility closets. Ideally, you want your HVAC unit to have plenty of clearance to avoid accidental damage. If you have a gas-powered furnace, it is especially important that you do not have items near the unit that could accidentally catch on fire when the pilot light is lit. Consider Professional Maintenance Packages It never hurts to employ the services of HVAC professionals who can help you fix small problems before they turn into major issues that could affect service. Heating and cooling companies in Minneapolis offer affordable maintenance packages for both the heating and cooling elements of a system. These packages are relatively affordable (usually starting around $100) and only take a small amount of time to complete. When you hire a heating and cooling technician to examine your home’s HVAC system, here is a short list of what your tech will do: - Clean blower assembly
- Inspect and replace, if necessary, the fan belt
- Remove debris and lint from blower housing, if applicable
- Examine burner assembly
- Clean evaporator coil, drain pan, and drain lines
- Inspect for gas leaks (on gas units)
- Check flue system for problems
- Check air ducts for leaks
- Examine control box for loose wiring or other poor connections
For information about the importance of regular maintenance or for a complete list of all components that are inspected during a regular maintenance check, call one of the leading Minneapolis HVAC companies. Don’t wait until it is the coldest night of the year to call for help. By this time, you may not have any heat at all. Be proactive and alert to small issues so you are not without heat when you need it the most.
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