Even though your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system works in the background, it plays a vital role in the comfort of your home. You may not immediately appreciate or notice its important role until it breaks down or malfunctions. So making sure it is always performing at its optimum is essential to maintaining that comfort.
HVAC experts recommend performing an annual inspection of your HVAC system to make sure it’s giving you the service you need. In addition, you must schedule it before a period of extreme weather begins. For example, if you have longer severe winters and shorter comfortable summers, it would be ideal to schedule the inspection before the winter period and vice versa. If you are unsure when is the best time to have your HVAC system inspected, you can consult your local HVAC company for advice. For example, if you are in the Toms Brook area of Virginia, you can check dmselectservices.com/toms-brook/ and other similar service providers to schedule your annual HVAC system inspection.
What to expect during an annual HVAC inspection
When HVAC technicians visit your home for the annual HVAC inspection, they will perform, among other things, the checks and diagnostics below:
- Test and calibrate the thermostat,
- Check electrical connections, wiring, insulation and surge protectors
- Check and lubricate all moving parts
- Assess and check ductwork, coils and pipes for leaks
- Check and fill with refrigerant
- Assess the condenser and compressor
- Check the HVAC system for any rodent or pest infestation
There are other tasks like cleaning and replacing air filters that you can do every month. However, you get a thorough review of your HVAC system by scheduling the annual inspection.
Below are some benefits of having your HVAC system inspected annually.
- Helps avoid costly repairs and replacements
The HVAC unit contains moving parts, ducts, conductors, and vents. During use, these parts may malfunction, requiring your immediate attention and intervention. For example, if an air conditioner motor runs dry, it should be lubricated to reduce wear from increased friction. Without lubrication it can fail and you will have to get a new motor to replace it.
Annual inspections assess these parts and perform the maintenance work necessary to keep these parts in good working order. This helps prevent breakdowns or repairs when you need them most. The cost you would incur would be the inspection and any minor materials used during the inspection.
- Helps extend the life of the HVAC system
Over time, the HVAC unit will accumulate dust, debris, wear and even rust. You may need to replace some parts sooner than others. However, if there is not regular and proper maintenance, the condition of your HVAC unit could deteriorate faster and require premature replacement.
Scheduling an annual HVAC inspection can help diagnose and catch problems before they turn into a bigger problem. You can find out what needs immediate repairs and what small parts you can replace after an inspection. For example, HVAC technicians may recommend replacing your filters to reduce mold and mildew buildup in your HVAC system. If mold grows in the ducts, it can trap water and increase the risk of rust. Additionally, if the ductwork has leaks, water can enter electrical components and cause shorts in the HVAC system.
Overall, an annual inspection ensures that your HVAC unit receives regular and thorough maintenance to keep it running in top condition. This ensures that the unit’s components don’t overwork themselves to achieve the desired conditions in your building.
- Help reduce your energy costs
Dust and debris can build up and collect in the ductwork and vents of your HVAC unit. These foreign materials can clog your system and cause your device to work harder to reach the set conditions. Also, if you have a faulty thermostat, the temperatures may be slightly different from what you set. It also works the unit a bit more. Other mechanical problems, such as poorly lubricated motors, may require greater energy consumption to drive them.
All of these problems cause your energy costs to gradually increase. However, you can ensure HVAC components are working optimally with an annual inspection. Thus, their energy consumption remains at a minimum. Cleaning ducts and vents, lubricating motors, and calibrating the thermostat help achieve desired conditions with less energy consumption, helping to lower your energy costs.
- Prevents health risks and allergens
An annual inspection ensures your comfort and helps keep your indoor air clean and healthy. When you have clean ducts, vents and filters, health hazards as mold cannot grow. Plus, by cleaning, you reduce dust and pollen in the HVAC vents, which can cause allergies and discomfort.
Conclusion
Sometimes you may think your HVAC system is working fine and doesn’t need any repairs or maintenance. However, without proper care, it can eventually get expensive. Therefore, scheduling an annual inspection can help save on repair, energy, replacement costs and avoid health risks.
