HVAC Maintenance: Why Annual Servicing Alone is NOT Enough
This has happened to so many of us – it’s a scorching hot day, and suddenly the air conditioning is not working! How could this happen? We have the air conditioning serviced every year! Shouldn’t it just work?
The truth is, annual HVAC maintenance alone is not enough to keep your system running at its peak. Homeowners often overlook the regular care and maintenance of the HVAC system, including both the interior units and the exterior condensers. Regularly maintaining these units and keeping these condensers free of debris and cleaning them is essential for optimizing system performance, avoiding breakdowns, maximizing energy efficiency, and prolonging the lifespan of your HVAC equipment.
In this blog post, we will explain how these systems work and the importance of regular quarterly maintenance.
Interior HVAC Systems: All HVAC systems use disposable filters. These filters are designed to trap dust, dirt, pollen, and other airborne particles. Over time, these filters become clogged with debris, resulting in the following issues:
- Poor Air Quality: When HVAC filters are clogged, they can no longer effectively capture contaminants, allowing them to recirculate in your home. This can lead to poor indoor air quality, exacerbating allergies and respiratory issues.
- Decreased Efficiency: A dirty filter restricts airflow, forcing your HVAC system to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. This increased workload not only leads to higher energy bills but also puts unnecessary strain on the system, potentially leading to breakdowns and costly repairs.
- Reduced Lifespan: The added strain on your HVAC system caused by dirty filters can significantly reduce its lifespan. Regular maintenance, including filter changes, is key to prolonging the life of your system and avoiding premature replacements.
Exterior Air Conditioner Condensers: The exterior condenser unit is a vital component of your air conditioning system, responsible for dissipating heat from your home to the outdoor environment. It consists of coils, fins, and a fan, all of which can become clogged with dirt, leaves, grass clippings and rodent infestation. This can cause a myriad of problems:
- Reduced Efficiency: Debris accumulation on the condenser coils and fins inhibits airflow and heat transfer, forcing your air conditioner to work harder to achieve the desired cooling effect. This increased workload leads to higher energy consumption and elevated utility bills.
- System Strain: A clogged condenser places undue stress on the compressor and other components of the air conditioning system, increasing the risk of malfunctions, breakdowns, and costly repairs.
- Poor Performance: A neglected condenser may struggle to maintain consistent indoor temperatures, resulting in uneven cooling, decreased comfort, and potential humidity issues inside your home.
Regular maintenance of your HVAC system goes beyond annual servicing – it also includes regular quarterly upkeep of your interior units and keeping the exterior air conditioner condensers clean and free of debris.
The No Worry Home annual maintenance program includes quarterly maintenance of your interior HVAC units – including installing a new filter and disposing of the old one – and cleaning and inspection of your exterior condensers. We purchase the correct filter for you and bring it with us every time, at no additional charge to you. This is just one of dozens of tasks that we handle for you each time we visit your home! Don’t find yourself overheating because of a failed HVAC system – contact us today for a No Worry Home membership!