Most American homes can’t do without HVACs. Uninstall the HVAC, and the home becomes almost uninhabitable during summer and winter. The same can happen if you fail to take care of your HVAC and it breaks down.

As such, it’s important to maintain your HVAC consistently to keep it running like a well-oiled machine. To do so properly, you’ll need a firm understanding of all the best HVAC maintenance practices and a comprehensive HVAC maintenance checklist.

With this checklist, you can quickly identify any signs of malfunction and address them before they occur. You can also ensure proper heating and cooling so that your system runs as efficiently as it should.

HVAC companies use this list to compile their HVAC inspection report form. This is a comprehensive report that details all the issues the technician encountered during an inspection, and what steps the owner should take to mitigate these issues.

In this post, we’ll look at how you can draft your own HVAC maintenance checklist. That way, you can carry out proper and thorough HVAC maintenance for the longevity of your HVAC.

The Ultimate HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Did you know that regular HVAC maintenance can reduce your energy costs by 5% to 40%? Even simple maintenance practices reduce your energy bill quite significantly. So whether you’re new to HVAC maintenance or have been doing it for a while, HVAC maintenance is something you should never overlook.

Here’s a comprehensive maintenance checklist to keep you on track with your HVAC maintenance.

1. Remove Debris

You should make a point of removing debris on the outdoor air conditioning units at least once a week. Leaves, branches, and dust may build up on the exterior of the compressor. Make sure you get both the top and sides of the compressor when removing debris.

Also, be careful whenever you mow the lawn as grass clippings may remain on the exterior of the HVAC. Then check for and remove any vegetation growing on the exterior of the condenser too.

2. Ductwork Cleaning

Your HVAC won’t work as efficiently as it should if your ductwork is dirty. It’s natural for your ductwork to get dirty, dusty, and sometimes even clogged with time. It’s thus up to you to clean your ductwork regularly and unclog it if it’s clogged.

If you find that your HVAC runs constantly, it’s probably because cool air can’t reach other areas of your house. That’s mostly because of a clog in the system that prevents cool air from blowing into the room. The blockage makes the system work harder than it usually does to get cold air to these rooms.

So if you have skyrocketing energy bills, then there’s probably a clog in the ductwork. You need to call in the professionals to clean your ductwork thoroughly. They can also check for any kinks and constraints in the ductwork that may be contributing to the high energy bills.

3. Get the Thermostat

The thermostat is at the core of your HVAC system, and as such, you need to give it the attention it deserves. First, you may want to replace the thermostat batteries, if you haven’t done so in a while.

If your thermostat is outdated, you should consider replacing it with a modern thermostat. Besides the programmable and non-programmable thermostats, you can buy Wi-Fi or smart thermostats.

You can control these smart thermostats with your smartphone, tablet, or any other device that can connect to the internet. You can also schedule your preferred temperature settings so that you don’t have to wait for the house to warm up after a long day at work. 

So don’t forget to replace your thermostat’s batteries for the system to work better. If necessary, upgrading to a more modern thermostat makes your entire HVAC system more efficient.

4. Check and Seal Any Air Leaks

You can check for air leaks when you clean your ductwork. Air leaks also considerably hurt your system’s efficiency. If your ductwork has a lot of leaks, then your HVAC system barely works.

While a professional checks for leaks in your ductwork, you should be checking for leaks within your house. By leaks, we mean any holes in your home’s exterior that let’s air escape or get in. 

If you find any holes or gaps, you can use door strips or weatherstripping to seal them. Foam sealant works best for smaller holes and gaps.

5. Replace the Filter

As a rule of thumb, you should replace the filter every three months. If you don’t, your HVAC will blow air full of dust and pollen. If you have pets, then you probably need to replace the filter every month. Otherwise, it will be hard for anyone sensitive to dust, fur, or pollen to come over to your house.

The best way to know when it’s time to change the filter is by simply looking at it. If your filter has changed from white to dark grey, then you probably need to change it. If you notice your house is dustier than usual, then it’s because your filter needs replacing.

6. Professional Inspection

On your checklist, you should also schedule a professional HVAC inspection at least once a year. You don’t have to wait till your HVAC stops working to call in the professionals.

Also, be on the lookout for any signs of damage in your HVAC system. The most obvious sign of damage is when your house remains hot when your HVAC should be cooling it and vice versa. If your energy bills suddenly skyrocket, then you should also call an expert to check it out.

If you also hear rattling noises or little air comes out the vents, then schedule repairs as soon as you can.

Get Everything on Your Maintenance Checklist

Now that you have an HVAC maintenance checklist, it falls on you to ensure you get everything on the list. Leave the hard stuff to reputable professionals, and you can get the best out of your HVAC system. In some cases when things are too bad, you might need to replace your entire system

If you need professional and expedient HVAC maintenance, repair and installation services, contact us today!