4 FAQs Regarding HVAC Maintenance

A key part of homeownership is understanding the importance and process of HVAC maintenance. Just like an oil change in your car, your home’s HVAC system requires regular maintenance and system checks. Our JD Service Now team is here to walk you through everything you should know about system maintenance as a homeowner.

Benefits of HVAC Maintenance

Let’s start off with the basics. If you are a new homeowner, you may wonder why you should spend your time or money on regular maintenance for your HVAC system. When you maintain your system, it will thank you with benefits like:

• Extended lifespan of 15-20 years
• Lower utility bills by 15%
• Early detection of malfunctions
• Maintaining of your system’s warranty

This is just a short list of benefits that can save you a good chunk of money at a relatively low cost!

What Issues Does HVAC Maintenance Help Prevent?

Regular maintenance is essential in detecting a wide range of issues that could occur with your cooling system. An expert eye from one of JD Service Now trained technicians can help detect these issues before they turn into costly problems. This includes but is not limited to:

• Thermostat malfunctions
• Short cycling
• Overheating
• Refrigerant leaks
• Clogged filters
• Compressor malfunction
• Blown fuse or breaker

What Can You Do On Your Own?

Another question you may ask yourself is “what can I do at home to help maintain my cooling system?” Lucky for you, there are a few simple tasks you can do to keep your system running RIGHT without the need of professional help.

Keep Your Air Filter Clean

One of the easiest and often overlooked tasks you can perform as a homeowner is to simply make sure you are changing your air filter monthly. Clogged air filters can cause your system to work harder and wear out sooner, which can simply be avoided.

Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Another easy way to keep up on HVAC maintenance yourself is by regularly checking your smoke and CO2 detectors. According to Durham County, you should test your detector every 30 days and should replace your batteries every year. Most models will make a chirping, popping, or beeping sound when the battery is losing its charge.

Trim Vegetation and Remove Debris Around Unit

Inspecting the area around your unit at least twice a month and removing loose vegetation or debris is another way to keep your system running right. Overgrown vegetation around your cooling system shouldn’t grow within two feet of the unit. This allows your air conditioner enough room to pull in the air it needs to control the temperature in your home.

What Should I Let the Professionals Handle?

While there are some tasks that you can take care of yourself to keep your cooling system in tip-top shape, some things should be left to the experts at JD Service Now. A licensed professional will take a close look at your system from top to bottom to ensure it’s running right during the summer months. Some tasks they will take care of include:

Inspecting The Blower Motor

Blower motors and fan motors keep the air circulating and also keep the refrigeration process going. HVAC technicians will check for electrical problems that can short circuit your system.

Inspecting Refrigerant Levels

Professional equipment and training are required to handle your system’s refrigerant safely. If your system begins to leak refrigerant, it will need to be fixed and more refrigerant will need to be added to the system. If you try to DIY this task and your attempt fails, your system could freeze and fail.

Cleaning Of Condenser Coils

Cleaning of your system’s condenser coils should also be left to the experts. Our JD Service Now team will perform a comprehensive cleaning that will increase the overall efficiency of your system and decrease the overall wear and tear.

Aside from filter changing and general cleaning, you should leave the remaining maintenance tasks to the experts. HVAC systems are filled with various components that require professional attention and expert care. While it may be tempting to perform system maintenance yourself, doing so could actually lead to damage and performance problems.

We hope that as a homeowner you have found this article helpful in understanding not only the benefits and importance of system maintenance but what you can do vs. what you should turn to a professional to complete. Our JD Service Now team is here to ensure your system is running RIGHT all year long! Give us a call today to schedule your annual system maintenance before the summer heat hits – (919) 230-8039.