November 13, 2014

heating maintenance

Proper maintenance is the key to efficient and effective operation of all HVAC systems.

Your air conditioning system and heat pump are important investments that you make for your home; they play a crucial role in ensuring your comfort during harsh weather conditions. So, it is extremely important to take all possible steps to ensure that they work at their peak capacity and do not break down when you need them the most.

Maintaining Your HVAC System

HVAC system repairs can be quite expensive and replacement can be even more expensive. Take proper care of your system to make sure that they serve you for years without requiring any expensive repairs. There are some simple things that you can do to maintain your HVAC system. With winters already upon us, most homeowners want to know how they can operate and maintain their heat pump properly to get the best performance out of it.

Maintaining the Heat Pump

Proper operation of the heat pump not only ensures efficiency but also saves energy. St. Louis HVAC experts recommend that one should not set back the thermostat if it causes the backup heating to switch on. Remember, back up heating systems are more expensive to operate. Also, if you operate the indoor fan continuously, it can degrade the performance unless your heat pump uses a variable speed and high-efficiency motor. It is generally best to operate the heating system on the auto setting.

Follow a Maintenance Schedule

Replace the air filters regularly and carry out maintenance of the system in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Dirty coils, filters, and fans obstruct the airflow, degrade system performance, and can cause serious damage to the compressor. Clean the outdoor coils whenever you find them dirty, remove foliage and debris from around the unit, and occasionally turn off the fan to clean it. Clean the supply and registers, and check if any of the fans are bent. Schedule periodic maintenance of the heat pump with a professional St. Louis HVAC company. The HVAC company will carry out the following tasks during the maintenance.

  • Check for any duct leakage, and if found, seal it.
  • Inspect filters, ducts, indoor coil, and blower for any blockages.
  • Check and verify adequate airflow.
  • Check for refrigerant leakages.
  • Measure and verify refrigerant charge.
  • Inspect all electrical components, and clean and tighten the connections.
  • Inspect belts for wear and tightness.
  • Lubricate motors.
  • Check thermostat operation.
  • Check the electric controls.

If your HVAC system is not working as efficiently as it should or is consuming too much energy, schedule an appointment with Scott-Lee Heating Company at (314) 75-9444 for complete system maintenance.