HVAC Preventative Maintenance

Learn About Your System From the Inside Out

Preventative Maintenance for Your HVAC Heating and Cooling System

How should I care for my Swamp Cooler, AC, HVAC, heating and cooling system?

Like any appliance or machinery, regular maintenance is essential to ensure optimal performance and extend the life of your system. Homeowners can tackle some straightforward upkeep tasks on their own, while more complex maintenance should be entrusted to Allstate Air & Heating, LLC. We suggest scheduling professional servicing twice a year, ideally during the spring and autumn, in preparation for high-usage periods.

HVAC systems are major energy users in homes and require proper maintenance to avoid high energy costs, discomfort, and expensive repairs or replacements.

Here are some basic HVAC maintenance tasks you can carry out on your own:

Verify the Functionality of Your Air Filters: Depending on the type of air filter used in your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump, it’s advisable to replace the filter every one to three months. If you utilize washable filters, monthly cleaning is recommended.

Maintain Clear Space Around Your Outdoor Unit: Keep the area around your outdoor air conditioning or heating unit free from debris like grass and weeds. It’s generally advised to leave a two-foot clearance around the unit.

Here are several preventative measures and inspections typically conducted by a certified heating and cooling technician, such as Allstate Air & Heating, LLC., during a system check:

Examine the controls for the heating and cooling system to confirm proper startup, operation, and shutdown processes.

Ensure the condensate drain is free of blockages.

Lubricate moving components, particularly the fan motor.

Check that electrical connections are functional and measure voltage to the motor.

Conduct diagnostics on thermostat settings.

Clean both the evaporator and condenser coils.

Verify that refrigerant levels are adequate throughout the HVAC system.

Inspect the blower and its components to ensure they are clear and working properly.

Review furnace elements, including gas connections, valves, the burner assembly, and heat exchanger, to confirm they are operating correctly.

Homeowners should feel empowered to ask their HVAC contractor (we hope you choose Allstate Air & Heating, LLC.) questions about their maintenance practices. Professional contractors adhering to QM Standard protocols will appreciate the interest in maintaining HVAC equipment for optimal efficiency and safety.

Checklist of Components and Equipment to Inspect, Clean, or Repair

Air Distribution System: This includes Plenums, trunk ducts, fittings, branch ducts, boots, grilles, registers, and diffusers
Steam Distribution System: This includes Piping, radiator, controls, steam traps

Controls and Safeties: This includes Thermostats, outdoor sensors, humidistats, zone controls

Furnace / Boiler: This includes Gas-fired Air Heating System, Oil-fired Air Heating System and Electric Air or Water Heating System

Evaporator Coil: This includes The cased or field enclosed evaporator coil, metering device, condensate drain, and associated refrigeration tubing

Condenser Unit: This includes The outdoor section of a split system (air conditioner or heat pump)

Fan Coil: This includes The filter rack, evaporator coil, metering device, associated refrigeration tubing, blower assembly, condensate drain, and electric auxiliary heat

Package Units: This includes Packaged air conditioners or heat pumps
Geothermal/Water Source Heat Pumps: This includes Packaged geothermal/water source heat pump units

Evaporative Coolers: This includes Packaged cooling only equipment using evaporative heat transfer

Accessories: This includes Heat and energy recovery ventilators, central system humidifiers, central system dehumidifiers, electronic air cleaners, media air cleaners, ultra-violet lights, economizers, and condensate pumps

Thinking of Hiring a Professional to do Preventative Maintenance on Your Unit?

Questions to Ask

Licensing: Is your contractor licensed to perform HVAC work in accordance with local regulations?
Inspection Duration: How long will the maintenance inspection take?

System Understanding: Did the contractor inquire about how the system has been operating and whether you have any specific concerns or issues?

Safety Inspection: Does the maintenance agreement include a safety inspection to ensure the HVAC system is installed according to code?

Maintenance Requirements Review: Will the contractor review the ACCA 4 QM maintenance requirements for your HVAC system with you?

Performance Evaluation: Does the contractor’s maintenance plan include evaluating the equipment’s performance?

Review of Maintenance Issues: Will the contractor discuss the findings from the maintenance visit with you?