Smooth Running HVAC

The weather in Austin always gives us something to talk about.  You can strike up a conversation with anyone, and get a very engaging and animated exchange going based on how insufferably hot it currently is and continues to be. 

I know we all are thankful for the creature comforts of our homes and having air conditioning to keep us cool.  I spoke with an HVAC technician recently when they were over at our house doing a checkup on our system, and he suggested the following advice we call can use to keep things running smoothly during these hot months.

Most of the HVAC maintenance undertaken as a homeowner is proactive and preventative, meaning you’re doing work that will help future problems from occurring. There is a lot that can go wrong with your HVAC, including leaks, corrosion, and issues with distributing hot or cold air. Everything from clogged filters to dirty coils can lead to a problem, so it’s best to stay on top of your maintenance tasks year after year.

Here are three HVAC problems to keep top of mind as you work out your maintenance schedule and options.

1. Leaks. All HVAC connectors and drain lines have the potential to develop leaks. These leaks force your system to run harder than it should, and could ultimately lead to you having to replace components. Keep an eye out for leaks from refrigerant lines as well as leaks from the AC condensate line and heat exchanger.

2. Corrosion. Whenever you combine wiring with moisture you have the potential for corrosion. Corrosion can happen on any wires or terminals related to your HVAC system and will generally cause your heating or cooling system to turn on and off on its own. Like leaks, it will also force your system to work harder and may lead to a complete break over time.

3. Dirt and debris. All components of your HVAC system—from filters to the electric panel, and everything in between—need to be free of debris. In addition to causing your system to work inefficiently, things like dirty air filters will pump dust and allergens into your home, reducing the air quality and flow and potentially clogging the system.

Following this list will help you keep your HVAC in strong working order, and will also ensure that, if there is a problem, you find out about it sooner rather than later.

Make sure that these tasks are always ticked off to mitigate the potential for avoidable issues with your HVAC system:

Right now

• Check the areas around the visible indoor and outdoor components of your HVAC system and confirm they are free of debris, including boxes, grass, leaves, and furniture.

• Ensure at least two feet of cleared space around all HVAC system components.

• If you haven’t already, buy high-efficiency air filters so that you have them ready to go. If you don’t have a high-efficiency filter in place already, swap one in.

Monthly

• Inspect your air conditioner refrigerant lines for leaks. These two lines, which are typically copper, connect your outdoor air conditioner to your system’s indoor.

• Replace your filters.

Yearly

• Go through your home and replace the batteries in all of your carbon monoxide detectors.

• Clean your AC condensation drain line with bleach. 

If you follow this list and make sure to do the right tasks at the right times, your HVAC system should run well for a long time. The life expectancy of an HVAC system is about 10 to 25 years—and with preventative maintenance, you can expect yours to last closer to 25 than 10.