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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