Keeping your heating and cooling system running smoothly all summer long is a great aspiration. But, do you know your HVAC well enough to keep it in great shape? Especially as your heating and cooling system gets older, preventative maintenance and basic troubleshooting are more and more important.
Thankfully, it is easy to learn the basics of HVAC maintenance, especially if you have a professional service team to work with. To learn more, get in touch with the heating & air conditioning experts at Galmiche & Sons in St. Louis today at (314) 993-1110.
What to Know About Your Heating and Cooling System
If you find yourself asking “Wait, how does my HVAC system work?”, learning the basic parts of the heating and air conditioning system can be very helpful. At the center of the operation is the compressor, which turns refrigerant from a gas to a liquid so it can move through the coils in your HVAC system. This movement of refrigerant through the condenser and evaporator coils is what cools your home.
The other components to be aware of in your heating and cooling system are:
- The blower – To keep this in clean and working condition, ensure that air filters are changed regularly.
- Ducts – Keeping your ducts clean can help prevent breakdowns, limit mold and allergens throughout your home, and prevent other issues.
- Vents – Airflow is crucial to a working HVAC system, so make sure vents are open and unobstructed.
Preventative Maintenance for Your Heating and Cooling System
One of the best things you can do for your heating and cooling system is to make sure to get your air conditioner serviced regularly. An HVAC service team can clean and inspect your system and should perform a maintenance checklist including these items:
- Checking refrigerant levels to make sure they are not low, indicating a leak.
- Inspecting and calibrating your thermostat if needed.
- Checking the condensate drain for blockages.
- Inspecting and cleaning ductwork to make sure it is clean and unobstructed.
- Finally, recommending any needed repairs, updates, or, in the worst case, replacements.
When Is It Time to Replace Your HVAC System?
One of the reasons to make sure you have regular maintenance visits performed on your heating and cooling system is that it can help you prolong the life of your system and prevent problems down the road.
However, even still, after a certain amount of time, 10-15 years for most residential HVAC systems, the functionality of the heating and air conditioning system just is not good enough to warrant repairs. A good rule of thumb is to multiply the cost of repairs in the last year by the age of the system. If this cost is more than the replacement cost, it may be time to replace it.
Still, an HVAC professional can make a better recommendation after seeing your heating and cooling system in action. So, in St. Louis get in touch with the heating & air conditioning experts at Galmiche & Sons today to schedule your next preventative maintenance visit. Give us a call at (314) 993-1110.
