Heating and AC: Areas That Experts Pay Attention to in HVAC Annual Maintenance and Why It Is Important | Fort Worth, TX

3/10/2020

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You don’t have to be an expert to know that all electromechanical equipment requires periodic maintenance if it is to operate optimally and as per manufacturer’s specification—your heating and AC system included. Even better, I believe you are probably aware that with the nature of precision and safety standards required in these systems maintenance, this undertaking is best left to the professionals.

With all the moving parts, dangerous refrigerants, and the flow of high electric energy, HVACs are very complicated units that need a professional touch. DIYs do not only risk to void your warranty but also endangers your life and those of your loved ones.

Therefore, at least once a year, you should schedule annual maintenance for your heating and AC system in Fort Worth, TX. You don’t want a breakdown during one of the hot summer days in Texas—it is the worst experience you can ever be subjected to.

Periodic maintenance helps to point out potential issues waiting to arise and replacement of worn-out parts that can lead to future problems.

So, what do professionals pay attention to during the annual maintenance of your heating and AC system?

Sizing

When you want to keep cool in the hot summer or keep warm and cozy in the freezing winter of Fort Worth, TX, you may think that a larger heating and AC system is all you need. That’s not right. While we don’t blame you for having such thoughts, we will make some clarifications.

HVAC always works best when the right size is installed and not any size for that matter. But why? Your heating and cooling needs are specific and so are your HVAC sizing specifications. Ignoring this fact can lead to further trouble and loss of money in replacement.

That’s why during any annual maintenance for your heating and AC system, technicians always consider the size of your unit. They calculate your home’s cooling and heating load and match it to the most convenient HVAC sizing. You don’t have to waste money on a large HVAC system when you can install an average one and still achieve the same levels of comfort and efficiency.

Refrigerant

Did you know that the refrigerant is the blood of your heating and AC system? And just like in human bodies, they must be present to a preset level for the HVAC to run as per the manufacturer’s specifications.

Refrigerant is carried in your HVAC by copper coils and it absorbs indoor heat and dissipates it outdoors. In accordance with Texas laws, some of the refrigerants such as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) have been phased out because they have a negative impact on the environment—they damage the Ozone layer.

The most common refrigerant used nowadays is the Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), including R410A and R134, because they are believed to be relatively safer to the environment. There can be no air conditioning without a refrigerant.

That’s why this is another area that HVAC technician in Fort Worth, TX, pays much attention to. They make sure that the refrigerant level meets the pre-set manufacturer’s levels. Without that, there would be a significant issue in cooling efficiency and energy consumption.

Ductwork

Ducts are used as a conduit in a heating and AC system to deliver and remove air. Without these crucial components, it would be impossible for conditioned and filtered air to reach the living spaces and the furnace. Some of the benefits of having clean ductwork system includes:

Improving Indoor Air Quality
Reducing pollution and promotion of better health
Controlling and maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures
Reducing HVAC running costs
Reduces repair costs

Therefore, during the annual maintenance of the HVAC, technicians evaluate the general status and performance of the ductwork system. They make sure they clean them and remove any debris or other dirt clogging them. More importantly, they check and fix leaks in the system as it leads to low performance and more energy consumption. Always remember insulation of the ducts is very important and during periodic maintenance, this is another area of concern.

Air Flow

Airflow is a basic requirement in your HVAC system. With frequent airflow problems, this area can really affect your heating and AC needs and cause a spike in your energy bill. Weak or zero airflows can cause a sharp rise in your energy bills because consumption is above the average. Cold and warm spots in the house are one of the common pointers to this problem. Some of the causes of airflow problems include:

Dirty or clogged air filters
Obstructed condenser unit
Thermostat failures
Low refrigerants levels
Dirty condenser coils
Mechanical wear and tear
Slow HVAC fans
Blocked vents

The good news is that these problems can be rectified easily during periodic maintenance. HVAC professionals take airflow in your HVAC very seriously and they use special equipment in Fort Worth, TX, to measure it during regular maintenance and fix any problem and rectify potential issues that might point to failure. Methods they use to prevent airflow problems include:

Cleaning or replacing air filters
Inspecting and adjusting motors
Cleaning coils
Inspecting HVAC design and recommending modifications
Cleaning HVAC fan blades

After maintenance, we guarantee you a proper distribution of quality and conditioned air throughout your living spaces.

HVAC Coils

In heating and AC systems there are generally two types of coils: the condenser and evaporator coils. The latter is located indoors while the former is located outside. They are basically from the HVAC’s heat pump.

In the evaporator coil, heat is removed from the refrigerant. On the other hand, in condenser coils, two activities occur in the compressor and they involve heating and pressurizing the refrigerant and then forcing it into the condenser where it turns to liquid. Always remember the compressor coil and the condenser coil is the same thing and the names can be used interchangeably.

In the condenser, the refrigerant usually transfers its heat to the air being blown by the HVAC blower fan and cools down. The hot air around the fan is blown outside and the cycle continues.

Now that these two components are very important in HVAC systems, then in periodic maintenance heating and AC technicians pay keen attention to this area by cleaning them. Also during servicing, they repair or replace them if need be.

Clean HVAC coils improve HVAC performance and help on saving on energy bills. It is a proven fact that dirty coils make your HVAC run longer and work harder. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, dirty HVAC coils increase energy consumption by up to 30 percent.

They recommend that they be cleaned at least once per year and any HVAC technician knows that. But how do they clean these crucial components? The two methods of cleaning HVAC coils include:

Use of Chemical Cleaners

It involves the use of two-way foaming chemicals to clean the coils. This method has been deemed problematic as eventually the chemical cleaners may leak into buildings water systems and compromise it.

To prove that these chemicals are dangerous, they come with warning labels that spell the toxicity of their contents. More importantly, these chemicals compromise the integrity of HVAC coils. They are known to erode the copper and aluminum lining. This leads to frequent replacement of parts.

Some believe that it is not an effective cleaning method as it pushes dirt deep into the coils. The only relief is that when an HVAC technician uses this method they are cheap. But cheap is expensive and you might spend more in the long-run.

Steam Cleaning

This is a better method of cleaning HVAC coils—involves a green steam clean process. A technician uses highly heated steam at 350°F at 350 psi—it is also called the deep clean. Even though this method is more expensive than the latter, it has been proven that it is a more effective cleaning method. Your coils’ integrity remains intact and it does not have negative health effects.

Importance of Annual HVAC Maintenance

Staying comfortable and breathing quality air in your home comes at an extra cost—but it is absolutely worth it. According to the US Department of Energy, the HVAC unit contributes up to 30 percent of domestic energy bills.

This scenario gets even worse when you are using old, dirty, or faulty HVACs. That’s why preventive maintenance is an effective way of keeping HVACs running optimally without additional expenses and frequent breakdowns.

If not convinced here are some benefits of undertaking annual heating and AC system maintenance in Fort Worth, TX.

Saves You Money

As we have mentioned, faulty, dirty, and old HVAC systems are energy inefficient. They lead to a spike in your energy bills. For instance, clogged ductwork causes the blower motor to work extra hard to force air into the living spaces. This leads to the consumption of extra energy. Annual maintenance can help you mitigate this problem as experts clean and makes sure HVAC is running optimally and helps you to save money on energy bills.

Also, annual preventive maintenance helps to identify potential future issues and fix them. Worn out parts are replaced and moving parts are lubricated. This helps you to mitigate the problem of frequent breakdowns and costs associated with emergency repairs.

Extends Your HVAC’s Life

Annual maintenance keeps your heating and AC system working correctly and reduces the rate of wear and tear. This helps to extend your HVAC’s lifespan. With the correct preventive maintenance procedures, your old HVAC can work just like newer ones. You may try to save a buck or two by avoiding this procedure but end up spending thousands by replacing the whole system. be wise, increase the longevity of your HVAC by frequently undertaking annual preventive maintenance.

Helps the Environment

Are you conscious of your carbon footprint? If not, it is time to do so. Try going green to preserve the world for the generations to come. One of the best ways to do so is by scheduling annual maintenance for your HVAC unit. A well-maintained heating and AC unit consumes less fuel and that’s good for the environment. Importantly, it helps to protect against refrigerant leaks, which interfere with the Ozone layer.

Improved Comfort

The sole purpose of your heating and AC system is to keep your house occupants safe by controlling temperature and conditioning air. However, systems that are not regularly maintained don’t operate as they should. They regularly breakdown and make a lot of noise, which is not good for well-living. Have a technician to undertake annual maintenance to ensure you receive that quality air and temperature you have always wanted in your house. Don’t let a faulty heating and AC system take your comfort in your own home

Keeps Your Home Safer

Have you ever heard stories where someone went on a vacation during winter only to return to a frozen and damaged? If so, don’t ignore, these things happen when the heating and AC system breaks down. That is why you should always schedule annual maintenance to ensure your system runs without frequent breakdown especially when it is most needed. Freezing of your house during winter can cause pipe bursts, which may lead to water damage and eventually cost you a lot in repairs and replacement of appliances.

Peace of Mind

Scheduling annual preventive maintenance for your heating and AC system helps you sleep better at night knowing that you are safe from frequent breakdowns. Your home safety is greatly improved. More importantly, you achieve all the indoor conditions that you want without much hassle. These conditions will contribute to your peace of mind.

Before You Leave

Annual maintenance is a great way to improve the lifespan of your heating and AC system and to ensure that these units are running optimally and effectively. Don’t jeopardize your life and those of your loved ones by using faulty and old heating and AC systems. At One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating we are ready to help you with HVAC-related undertakings.

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