Maintenance Tips
Although mechanical heating and cooling equipment is complex, there are some basic preventive maintenance procedures you can perform to keep your system running at its best. Air 1 Heating has various service plans available to keep your HVAC system operating efficiently. See Residential Service or Commercial Service for details. If you would to signup for a service plan, please Contact Us.
Indoor Air Quality Equipment Maintenance
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions for changing (or cleaning) air filters in air handlers/furnaces and other home comfort equipment. Some air cleaners require only an annual filter change, while others need more frequent replacement.
- Maintaining proper humidity levels can greatly reduce airborne allergens. Make sure pans and coils of humidification/dehumidification unit are clean and free of debris.
- Regularly clean your return grills to prevent dust and debris from accumulating in ducts and clogging filters.
- Examine ducts around air handler for holes, loose tape or separated sections that might allow air infiltration.
- Make sure air system is balanced to avoid negative air pressure from pulling pollens and allergens into home. Consider using a dedicated ventilation system to introduce filtered outside air to create positive pressure with clean air.
Gas Furnace Maintenance
- Confirm that the furnace runs completely through a normal cycle from start-up to shut-down. Look at the thermostat reading to confirm that the system shuts off when reaching the high temperature setpoint. (If otherwise, you have a short cycling problem requiring a service call.)
- Clean dust or move objects away from the grates that supply air into each room and the large return grate, usually in a hallway, to ensure proper air flow.
- Make sure obstacles are cleared away from the furnace and the safety switch on the furnace door.
- Check the vent connections for the exhaust pipe and chimney for rust or gaps.
- Make sure your CO2 monitor is operating properly and that it has fresh batteries.
- Replace furnace filters annually.
Air Handler Maintenance
- Examine ducts around air handler for holes, loose tape or separated sections that might leak air.
- Replace your air handler filter once a month to reduce airflow restrictions and wasted energy.
Air Conditioner/Heat Pump Maintenance
- Clean dust or move objects away from the grates that supply air into each room. Do the same to the large return grate, usually in a hallway, to ensure proper air flow.
- Clear leaves and debris from the system’s outdoor condenser unit grille.
- Examine ducts in attic or crawl space for holes, loose tape or separated sections that might leak air.
- Trim shrubbery to allow at least two feet of clearance from the unit.
- Set the thermostat mode to cooling (and heating for heat pumps) to make sure it’s working. Contact us for service if you hear any unusual noises.
- Replace your air handler filter once a month to reduce airflow restrictions and wasted energy.
- Make sure condensate line is clear to allow liquid runoff.
- Set up annual checkup of your system.
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