In Ann Arbor, MI, we have a humid, continental climate with four distinct seasons. With winter temperatures that dip below freezing and warm, moisture-heavy summers, every Ann Arbor home needs a functional HVAC system. But finding and installing the best heating and cooling equipment your money can buy isn’t enough. Taking great care of heaters, heat pumps, and ACs is key to ensuring reliable and efficient performance year-round. Without the right maintenance, HVAC systems can both fail to do their jobs and fail before their time. At Koch & White Heating & Cooling, we’re sharing several common HVAC maintenance mistakes that homeowners make.
Your HVAC system doesn’t create heated or cooled air. Instead, it transfers heat by moving air. When cooling, it draws warm indoor air in and passes it over refrigerant-filled coils. After extracting its heat, your HVAC system moves this air through your ducting to distribute it throughout the building. The heating process works similarly.
Over time, built-up dirt, dust, dander, and other debris can accumulate on heat exchangers, burners, blower fans, and other sensitive interior components. These buildups inhibit the heat transfer process and disrupt the flow of air. As a result, HVAC systems have longer and less effective heating and cooling cycles. They use more energy, and they cost more to run.
Over time, heating and cooling systems can develop loose connections and worn parts. The lubrication on their moving components dries out and depletes. Failing to address these things can lead to serious repair issues and premature equipment failure.
HVAC maintenance prevents wear and tear. During professional maintenance services, HVAC technicians tighten loose components, replace worn components, and lubricate moving parts. These and other tasks minimize friction and keep ongoing wear to a minimum.
Both professional HVAC maintenance and the basic maintenance that homeowners perform on their own optimize airflow. This alleviates operational stress by minimizing the amount of work HVAC systems must do to move air.
Professional tune-up service also allows HVAC technicians to spot developing problems. With routine maintenance service, technicians can resolve minor issues before they escalate and affect other components or functions.
With improved airflow, less operational stress, and less friction between their moving parts, HVAC systems have shorter and more effective heating and cooling cycles. They take less time to create the conditions that homeowners want. They also use less energy to maintain them. By some estimates, simply replacing a dirty air filter can improve an HVAC system’s efficiency by 20%. Imagine how much more efficient your HVAC system can be with comprehensive maintenance.
Did you know that heat pumps and air conditioners should have two feet of clearance around their outdoor units at all times? Many homeowners do not. This is where these appliances shed heat following cooling cycles. Failing to maintain this clearance can result in overheating, short-cycling, or other functional problems. You can avoid mid-summer breakdowns by removing weeds, overgrown grass, and loose windblown debris. Unfortunately, failing to maintain adequate condenser clearance is but one of several common HVAC maintenance mistakes.
All air that enters your HVAC system travels through its air filter. This component sieves out dirt, dander, and other particulates. Although HVAC air filters provide limited indoor air quality (IAQ) benefits, their primary job is keeping the interior of HVAC systems relatively clean.
Dirty air filters lie at the heart of many of the most common furnace, heat pump, and AC issues. The first step in troubleshooting issues like intermittent shutdowns, rising humidity, and short-cycling is checking for a dirty HVAC air filter. If you aren’t regularly inspecting and replacing your air filter, your HVAC system is working much harder to move air than it should.
If you use a standard HVAC air filter, it’s important to pull this component out and inspect it monthly. You can do so by holding it up to the overhead light. In theory, when light can no longer pass through the debris on a filter’s mesh, air can no longer move through this debris either.
You should replace your air filter every time it fails the light test. According to HVAC equipment manufacturers, the best schedule for replacing standard air filters is every 30 to 90 days. Routine filter inspections will help you determine the right replacement schedule for your home.
All HVAC equipment types need comprehensive professional HVAC maintenance at least once each year. If you own a heat pump and use it for indoor climate control year-round, your heat pump needs professional service twice each year. While changing your air filter and clearing your condenser’s perimeter is important, these things aren’t enough to keep HVAC systems working efficiently on their own.
Comprehensive HVAC maintenance can slow and even reverse cumulative wear. It keeps homeowners compliant with their HVAC equipment manufacturers’ warranties. Routine maintenance also ensures heating and cooling safety. It minimizes many risks.
Koch & White Heating & Cooling offers comprehensive, professional HVAC inspection and maintenance services. During our HVAC tune-up services, we perform the below tasks.
We also clean blower motors and blower fans, air handlers, and AC condensate drains. Our technicians inspect all gas line connections, electrical connections, and venting systems. For every tune-up, we inspect clean HVAC systems both inside and out.
Our HVAC inspection and maintenance services mirror the requirements of equipment manufacturers’ warranties. They ensure warranty compliance and contribute to long, healthy lifespans.
We’ve proudly served Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities for more than 90 years. As a 100% employee-owned company, we make safety and customer satisfaction our top priorities. We’re a Carrier Authorized Dealer, and we’ve received the Carrier President’s Award for seven consecutive years. Our seasoned technicians can capably service all furnace, AC, heat pump, and mini-split models. To protect your HVAC system with proper care, contact Koch & White Heating and Cooling for expert HVAC maintenance service in Ann Arbor.
Asking questions about HVAC maintenance helps homeowners avoid common maintenance mistakes. At Koch & White Heating & Cooling, we’re sharing answers to homeowners’ most frequently asked questions.
