Your HVAC system is a crucial component to keeping your home comfortable year-round. It would be ideal to have it to keep you comfortable in the winter and summer, so a broken unit can quickly make your home into an uninviting place to live.
Routine maintenance is the best way to maintain your HVAC system’s peak performance. It also helps extend the life of your system and cut energy costs.
Check the Compressor
The air conditioner compressor is the system’s heart, pumping refrigerant from a storage tank to your home. Understanding what constitutes a bad AC compressor is essential to keep your HVAC unit in good shape.
You’ll need a multimeter to measure voltage, electric resistance, and current to check your AC compressor. It can help you diagnose the issue, or you may call for professional HVAC repair in Chicago to repair it. An experienced technician that can solve problems with your system.
Before you start testing your compressor, make sure you have all of the circuit breakers that control electricity to your AC unit turned off. It will prevent any damage to the motor or other electrical components from occurring as you work.
Clean the Filters
The filters in an HVAC system are the key to keeping it running at peak performance. They keep dust, pollen, and other airborne contaminants from your ductwork.
Clean them regularly, and you’ll extend the life of your HVAC unit and save money on energy costs. Clogged or dirty filters make your system work harder and can increase your energy bills by 5-15% each year.
Cleaning the filter is relatively easy and inexpensive, but homeowners often overlook it.
Locate your filter and remove it from the HVAC unit to begin the process. It’s usually in a slot near the return air duct or inside a cabinet (in a ducted system).
Vacuum out as much debris as possible using the vacuum hose attachment. Next, soak your filter in a sink filled with one part water and one part white vinegar for an hour. Rinse and let it dry before reinstalling it in your HVAC unit.
Check the Electrical Connections
The electrical connections connecting your HVAC system to other parts of your home are essential to its safety and efficiency. If any issues develop, they can cause damage to the equipment and lead to fires.
Problems with the wires in your HVAC system can be caused by fraying, corrosion, or disconnection. These problems can make your system work harder and lead to breakdowns, which costs you money in the long run.
Compressor issues are another common issue that can cost you thousands of dollars. Your compressor can pull too much or too little electricity, resulting in overheating and mechanical failures.
A professional HVAC technician can check the electrical connection to your compressor and tighten them up if necessary. It will help your system continue to work efficiently, so you can save money and avoid costly repairs in the future.
Check the Ductwork
The ductwork of your HVAC system is one of the essential parts of the entire system. If leaks or holes develop in the ductwork, it can lead to uneven heating and cooling, a dusty home, and high energy bills.
Duct leaks can occur at any point in the ductwork but are most commonly found at a joint that separates two sections of ductwork. Leaks at these joints are expected if they haven’t been properly sealed and usually need to be fixed before your ductwork can be repaired or replaced. You can quickly check for leaks in your ductwork using a smoke pencil.
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