Taking some steps to prepare your HVAC system can help it operate at its most efficiently throughout the upcoming season. Plus, sometimes getting a seasonal checkup can prevent small issues from becoming big repairs. Don’t neglect the biannual ritual of Spring AC Tune-Ups and Fall Furnace Tune-Ups.
Change the Air Filter
Whether you’re moving from winter to spring or the other way around, changing your HVAC system’s air filter lends to the system’s efficiency. A quality air filter absorbs dust mites, pet hair, pollen, bacteria, and more. An HVAC technician can determine the proper size and type of air filter that would work best in your unit.
Conduct a Visual Inspection of Its Components
A technician who’s conducting a visual inspection of an HVAC system has a checklist of things to look for inside the unit. A few examples include:
- Loose wires or connections
- Accumulating dust and dirt
- Broken components
- Moisture leaks
- Components with wear and tear
Test the Unit for Unusual Sounds
Part of a seasonal maintenance checkup includes evaluating your HVAC system for unusual sounds. Of course, an HVAC unit makes a low level of noise while in operation. But, unusual, loud noises can signal an issue. Some examples include banging, clunking, whistling, rumbling, and hissing. For instance, a clunking noise can mean that a component has come loose or moved out of proper alignment. Finding the cause of an unusual noise is the first step toward getting the appropriate repair or replacement.
Tighten Connections Inside the Unit
Over the course of a warm or cold weather season, the connections inside an HVAC system can become loose or damaged. Wiring connected to the unit’s fan or blower switch can become loose and affect the system’s operation. Electrical connections can sometimes corrode, causing a malfunction. Ensuring the electrical connections are intact can keep your HVAC system running smoothly through the next season.
Clean the Condensate Line
Cleaning the condensate line should be done when the season changes from summer to autumn. This is because the condensate line is where moisture from your air conditioner drains out of your home.
Through the warm weather months, algae can start to grow in the drip pan beneath your air conditioner. This substance can move from there into the system’s condensate line, causing a clog. If the clog remains there, it will eventually cause your drip pan to overflow.
Clean the Blower Fan Blades
An accumulation of dust and dirt on an HVAC system’s blower fan can cause it to expend more energy to do its job. This inefficiency can lead to higher energy bills and result in wear and tear.
Clean the Metal Fins of the Heat Pump
When the season changes from summer to autumn, it’s a good idea to clean the metal fins of your outdoor unit. Over the spring and summer months, weeds, pollen, grass clippings, and dust can collect on the metal fins. The debris hinders the effective operation of the heat pump by partially blocking the movement of air through the fins.
Our trained HVAC technicians have the tools to thoroughly clean the metal fins without causing damage to their delicate structure. Furthermore, they can check the wiring and other components inside the outdoor unit to see if they’re in good working order.
Test the Accuracy of the Thermostat
Testing the accuracy of a thermostat can help ensure your HVAC system is working in an efficient way. An HVAC technician has the equipment necessary to test a thermostat and make adjustments so you can enjoy a comfortable indoor atmosphere throughout the year.
Let the Experts Prep Your HVAC System
Gunthers Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing has been proudly serving the heating and cooling needs of residents in American Fork and the surrounding area since 1910. We have decades of experience maintaining, repairing, and replacing a variety of heating and cooling systems. Our customers enjoy peace of mind knowing we have the equipment and training to get the job done right. In addition, we provide plumbing services, such as faucet repair, water heater replacement, garbage disposal repair, leak detection, and more. Our company has affordable prices and an impressive record of satisfied customers.
Call Gunthers Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing in American Fork today, and let our technicians prepare your HVAC system for the upcoming season.
