Fall is the best time for heating system maintenance in Alexandria VA

This September’s fall is the best time for heating system maintenance in Alexandria VA.

By Ali, Executive Engineer and General Manager at AZA Air Conditioning and Heating System in Alexandria VA.

Fall is just around the corner and there is no better time to perform routine HVAC maintenance than right now. HVAC systems are critical to the day-to-day comfort and function of your home, and are one of the major expenses of your home. With proper maintenance, you can extend the life of your system for decades and greatly reduce the amount of time you spend on air conditioning. If you haven’t had your system checked since last winter, now is the time.

The most common reason for air conditioning & heating systems breaking down is overuse. If you use your system to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter, you may overheat your home or freeze your pipes. Having a backup system or long-term backup plan is crucial, as there is no telling how often the power goes out. Having the ability to operate during a power outage will prevent the need to replace the entire system.

Another reason for HVAC systems breaking down is due to clogged ductwork. Clogged ductwork can be caused by leaving clothes on a drying rack or a humidifier that has been set up incorrectly.

In order to prevent damage, these two most common causes of HVAC system failure, it’s important to pay attention to the maintenance schedule you have in place. If you use a standard maintenance schedule for your system, here are some ways you can be proactive about HVAC maintenance during the fall season:

Inspect the equipment you have. Are you confident in how your unit is performing and the age of the system? This is a critical point to make sure your equipment is not in poor condition and may need to be serviced or repaired.

Ensure your system is properly assembled. HVAC systems that are poorly assembled will not function properly and may cause injury to people using your equipment. Make sure that all the parts are installed correctly and that the connections are correct. For the most part, this is simply a matter of tightening screws with a screw driver. However, if a device is still unable to function correctly or if you have a specific problem, you may need to have the equipment repaired or replaced.

Test the equipment regularly. Evaluate your system and make sure that it is working efficiently, and that the air ducts are free of debris and blockages. This is an easy process. All you need to do is turn on your air conditioning and open your windows. Make sure that any areas in the house that are venting are dry and free of any excess moisture, such as leaves or dust. Now open the front door and keep the windows open so that all of the air in the house is distributed properly. Ensure that you have your home’s furnace, heating and cooling units and all of the ductwork in good condition.

Consider replacing your air filters. Older systems do not use automatic filters. If you find that your filters are difficult to clean and that there are more particles in them than expected, replacing your filters will help your system run more efficiently.

Clean your ductwork and air filters. These are the most important parts of your system and it is crucial that they are kept in good condition. During the fall, keep an eye out for cracked or missing ductwork or signs of mice or other animals gnawing on the piping. Clean your ductwork at least once a month by putting in a little duct cleaner and allowing the ductwork to air dry. If you use a newer system, keep the ductwork free of any dust or debris that can obstruct airflow. If your ductwork is damaged, fix it!

Clean the outdoor unit vent pipes and filters. Every outdoor unit that has a filter and vent pipe should be regularly cleaned. If you find any moisture build-up on these pipes or dirt, mold or mildew, try cleaning these areas with a fine-toothed wire brush and a little duct cleaner.