What is Involved in HVAC Maintenance?

HVAC systems installed in homes and offices create thermal comfort and provide the needed air quality for healthier living, greater productivity and happy living. Of course, all units and technologies in place require a certain deal of maintenance and check every so often to ensure continuity of doing its role and to ensure having a longer life span.

It is a good idea to immediately call a HVAC company or service provider understand what the HVAC maintenance meaning is and to do the work mainly to inspect and do maintenance on the system ideally every fall and spring. They will make sure to check all wirings and mechanisms of the unit, which will be a bit complicated and challenging for home and business owners.

Regular HVAC preventive maintenance is the best and most effective way to ensure trouble free operation and sustaining optimum HVAC unit performance. It can help avoid the system from experiencing any system failure especially during the seasons when you needed these the most. It can definitely save considerable amount of money instead of waiting for that unfortunate event to transpire.

One has to do his or her respective role in prolonging the life and increasing efficiency of the system through HVAC maintenance.

That can be achieve by simply following the HVAC maintenance tips below:

• Purchasing a filter if you have not secured one
  • The new high efficiency pleated filter available in the market now contains an electro static charge that works like that of a magnet attracting dust, dirt and the tiniest particles even those bacteria carrying particles. Check any local hardware stores or online for more details on this.
• It is best to replace filters every 90 days
  • Though it is also best to check this on a monthly basis, if the original filter already looks dark and clogged, be proactive in replacing this already. Having pets inside homes may also increase the chances of replacing the filters at least every month.
• Ensure that there is at least two feet of clearance around the outdoor air conditioning units and heat pumps to create better output and optimum performance.
• Remove and take away any debris which includes dried and fallen leaves, pollen, twigs and branches weekly especially during spring, summer and fall from the top and sides of outdoor air conditioning units as well as heat pumps. When using the lawn mower, prevent grass cuttings and clippings from getting into the unit which would create blockages and clogs which will in turn affect its efficiency.
• On a monthly basis, regularly inspect insulation and refrigerant lines leading into the houses and ducts. If there is a considerable change in terms of the circulated cold air, immediately turn off the unit and inspect the tubes and channels. Replace these if missing or already damaged.
• On a yearly basis, pour a cup of bleached mixed with water into the air conditioning units and drain to help ooze out build up of mold and algae which can in turn clog the system.

HVAC Maintenance Checklist for Outdoor units

• Inspect and do a routine maintenance on the base pan for restricted drain openings and remove clogs and debris
• Check the fan motors and fan blades for any wear and tear damages. Ensure that you lubricate older models as needed
• Inspect the control box, linked with the controls or accessories, wiring and connections. The controls include the following:
  • Contactors and relays
  • Circuit boards
  • Capacitors
  • Heat pumps

HVAC Maintenance Checklist for indoor unit inspections

• On older units and models, lubricate the motor and check if the fan belt is already up fro replacement
• Check the combustion blower housing for lint, clogs or debris and clean as necessary
• Make sure to inspect and check for any gas leaks in gas furnaces which would definitely smell big trouble if taken for granted.
• Inspect flue system—check for proper attachment to the furnace, any dislocated sections, and for signs of corrosion. Replace if necessary.
• Inspect control box, associated controls, wiring and connections
• Monitor air conditioning and heat pump systems for correct refrigerant charge
• Measure outdoor dry bulb temperature
• Measure indoor dry and wet bulb temperature
• Measure high and low side system pressures
• Monitor gas furnace for correct line and manifold gas pressure—make adjustments as needed
• Measure temperature rise and adjust airflow as needed
• Check vent system for proper operation
• Monitor system for correct line and load volts/amps

 

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12 Tips To Lower Your Heating Bill

The cost of energy is rising everyday. Whether it be electricity, gas, water or sewage, our utility bills are becoming higher with each passing month. Consequently most of us are looking for ways to trim our energy expenses and boost our savings. The cost of heating our houses in winter is always a major concern.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a typical U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills? Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted.

Save Energy - Lower Your Heating BillFigure 1: How We Use Energy in Our Homes - Heating accounts for the biggest chunk of a typical utility bill [1].

Entrepreneurial or DIY (Do It Yourself) homeowners can cut down their monthly heating bills by taking action early on. Here are a dozen simple ways to slash our home's heating bills. We've divided them into two bunches of six each. The first bunch consists of easy steps which will not cost us a dime. The second bunch comprises of low cost fixes within our budget.

6 Easy & FREE Steps

1. Lower Your Thermostat

The rule of thumb [2] is that we can save about 3% on our heating bill for every degree that we set back our thermostat. Another neat trick is to turn down the thermostat 10 degrees when we go to work, and again when we go to bed which accounts for at least a total of 16 hours a day. This could save us about 14% on our heating bill [2].

2. Turn Down The Water Heater

If we lower the temperature of water in the water heater to 115-120 degrees, it often reduces power use without a noticeable difference to the user [2].

3. Clear Heating Vents

Make sure that no vents are blocked by rugs and furniture. This prevents heated air from circulating efficiently which in turn means higher heating bills.

4. Optimize The Use Of Fans

A hard-working bathroom or kitchen fan can expel a houseful of warm air in just one hour [3]. So perhaps it'd pay off to shut them down as soon as our job is finished.

5. Close The Fireplace Damper

An open damper is like a hole in the roof. Since heat rises, an open damper is a sure shot means to lose heat. Moreover fires actually sucks heat from a room, so it might be a good idea to limit the use of a fireplace [2]. An easy way out is to shut the vents inside and close off seldom-used rooms.

6. Make Use Of Curtains

During the day time we can open curtains and shades on south-facing windows to allow solar radiation to warm a living space. Similarly we can close all curtains at night to minimize the escape of heat.

Low Cost Fixes Within Our Reach

1. Winterize Windows

During the cold winter months we can use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of our window frames. The plastic must be sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration. Windows that feel drafty after weatherizing can be insulated by installing tight fitting window shades.

2. Use Storm Windows

Storm windows can reduce heat loss through the windows by 25% to 50% [4]. We can install exterior or interior storm windows which are made of strong, durable materials and have interlocking joints. It's preferable to have weatherstripping at all movable joints of the storm windows. This saves even more energy.

If money is tight and we can't afford storm windows, we can use plastic film to cover those windows where a clear view isn't crucial. This will curb drafts and prevent the windows from rattling.

3. Use A Low-Flow Shower Head

A water-efficient shower head can use 25% to 50% less hot water, saving both on water and power bills [2]. And as a user chances are high that we'll not notice any difference at all.

4. Purchase A Smart Thermostat

If turning the thermostat up and down seems to be a painful job which we often forget to execute efficiently, we can get a "smart" thermostat that can be programmed to change temperatures automatically.

5. Get The Furnace In Shape

It might be a good idea to replace the air filter according to manufacturer's directions to make our heating system operate more efficiently. Often a clogged air filter can cause our heating unit to stop working. Oil-fired boilers should be cleaned and tuned annually, and gas systems, every two years. These simple steps can save us between 3% to 10% on heating bills [2].

6. Seal Leaks

Plugging small gaps surrounding windows, doors and other areas can save us up to 10% on our heating bill [2]. The first step is to find the leaks. On a windy day, we can hold a lit incense stick to the most common drafty areas like chimney flashing, recessed lighting, sill plates, window and door frames, all ducts and electrical outlets to track the gaps. We can use door sweeps to close spaces under exterior doors, and caulk drafty spots around window frames. Movable joints can be weather-stripped. Outlet gaskets can be used in electrical outlets in our home's outer walls, where cold air often enters.

Save Money On HeatingThese home improvements will not only lower our heating bill but will also give us a chance to qualify for tax credits. Consumer Energy Tax Incentives [5] gives homeowners:
Consumers who purchase and install specific products, such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in existing homes can receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for improvements "placed in service" starting January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010.

In contrast to a deduction, which only decreases taxable income, a credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in taxes.

Since the cost of energy is higher this year, with some planning and action we can cut down on our heating bills. We look forward towards hearing your thoughts about saving money on keeping ourselves warm this winter. Please leave a comment :).

First seen at: 12 Tips To Lower Your Heating Bill