Did you know that the air conditioner was invented in 1931? HVAC units have remained important since then to keep indoor spaces cool and comfortable. The problem with HVAC equipment is that it won’t last forever.

Your HVAC unit will sustain damage over time and might not work as well as it used to. This is why HVAC maintenance is important. But how can you maintain your unit and when should you call a professional?

Keep reading and learn more about HVAC maintenance tips below.

Clean the Area Around Your HVAC Unit

Many people let their HVAC units become overgrown with vegetation and debris, but this is not a good idea. Letting things grow around the unit may shorten its lifespan. HVAC units are often pushed to the side of houses where they may be next to trees and bushes.

This makes it easy for branches and vines to grow around the unit and restrict its function. Leaves and blades of grass may also fall into the HVAC unit and cause problems. This debris may clog important portions of the unit and damage the mechanisms inside.

This would require you to hire HVAC repair services. Repairing an HVAC unit can be expensive. It is far more affordable to maintain the unit before it gets damaged.

You can do this by cutting back any vegetation that may be near your HVAC unit. If any branches hang over the unit, cut those back. This prevents leaves and branches from falling inside the unit.

The Details

You should also keep the grass around the unit cut short. The grass may not seem very harmful, but excessive, long grass can cause a variety of problems. It may also make it more likely for pests to crawl inside or around the HVAC unit.

Cut back any bushes and other vegetation that may be near the unit as well. Clear out any dirt in the area too. Dirt and pebbles may pile up near the HVAC unit and may fall inside. Pebbles are hard and can easily dent or break important parts inside the unit.

Checking on your HVAC unit once every few months is a good idea. You can keep track of anything that might be growing around the unit. This also makes it easy to keep up with any new vegetation in the area.

Clean the HVAC Unit and Filters

The air filters are an essential part of any HVAC unit. Air filters are important for keeping the air inside your home clear. This reduces allergens and improves the air quality inside so that your respiratory system is never at risk.

But the air inside your house may start to get musty if the air filters aren’t working properly. HVAC air filters need to be changed regularly. This is because they are easily clogged by dust, pollen, hair, and other debris.

They may get clogged more often if you have pets. This is because pets shed and they may bring in more pollen and dander from outside. Air filters will slowly get less efficient as they get more clogged.

They will eventually stop working completely. This will leave the air inside your home noticeably dusty and dirty. You may start to have more allergy problems too.

You can fix the problem by replacing the filters. This will also help maintain your unit. This is because the unit won’t have to work as hard to filter air.

What You Need to Know

Cleaning the HVAC unit from top to bottom is also a good idea.

HVAC units are like magnets for dust and other debris. A bit of dust might not do much, but it can cause a problem once it starts to build up. Grime and debris might stick to important mechanisms inside the HVAC unit.

This makes it more difficult to perform basic tasks. This may make your unit run slower than usual. The unit may have to expend more energy to perform the same tasks too.

This is why it is a good idea to clean the HVAC unit every few months. Remove any debris and dirt that you see. This should keep the unit in good shape for many years.

Schedule Regular Maintenance Checks With Your HVAC Service

You might not know the first thing about HVAC units or how they work. You might not know how to change their filters or keep them clean. This is why it is important to schedule regular maintenance checks with your HVAC service.

A professional HVAC service will make sure that your unit is getting the care that it needs. Professional maintenance is very thorough. The professionals will inspect every aspect of the unit to make sure it’s in good shape.

They will also change the filters and do a tune-up if the unit is looking worn down. Most people schedule HVAC maintenance checks once a year, but twice a year is also beneficial. The professionals can also tell you if there is anything wrong with the unit and what they can do to fix it.

This ensures that your unit will last a long time.

How to Maintain Your HVAC Equipment at Home

HVAC equipment won’t last very long if you don’t take good care of it. This is why it is important to keep the area around the HVAC unit clear. It is also important to change the filters and keep the unit clean.

Scheduling professional maintenance checks will also keep the unit in good shape. To learn more about professional maintenance, check out our services.