Dirt and neglect are the top causes of heating and cooling system inefficiency and failure. While many can be completed on your own, proper maintenance by a qualified technician is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent future problems. Work with a technician every Spring and Fall to perform these routine system maintenance tasks.
- Change your air filter. A clean filter will prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system, leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure. Check your filter every month during summer months, when use tends to be heavy.
- Clean indoor and outdoor coils. A dirty coil reduces the system’s ability to cool your home and causes the system to run longer, increasing your energy costs and shortening the life of your equipment.
- Check your central air conditioner’s refrigerant charge. Have your technician adjust it if necessary to make sure it meets manufacturer specifications. Too much or too little refrigerant charge can damage the compressor, reducing the life of your equipment and increasing costs.
- Adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow. Proper airflow over the indoor coil is necessary for efficient equipment operation and reliability.
- Check your thermostat settings. Ensure the heating and cooling system turns on and off at the programmed temperatures.
And remember, if your system does break beyond repair, replace it with an energy-efficient system and take advantage of rebates from the DCSEU.
For more HVAC maintenance tips, visit the ENERGY STAR Heating and Cooling Guide.