As the chill of winter approaches Carrollton, ensuring that your heating system operates efficiently becomes a top priority. Homeowners often find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to heating maintenance: should you roll up your sleeves and tackle it yourself, or is it wiser to call in the expertise of an HVAC professional?
At Lex Air Conditioning and Heating, we understand the importance of maintaining your home’s comfort. In this blog, we’ll jump into the world of heating maintenance, explaining which tasks you can confidently handle on your own and which ones are best left to the skilled hands of our HVAC professionals.
If your heating unit isn’t warming your home up, let the Carrollton heating repair pros help. Whether you need a simple heating repair or a complete heating system installation, we can handle it all. Call Lex Air Conditioning and Heating at (972) 217-8955 to schedule an HVAC equipment inspection today.
DIY HVAC Maintenance
When it comes to basic heater maintenance, you can take some measures on your own to ensure everything is working smoothly. Every little step can make a big difference in making sure you’re heating your home as efficiently as possible.
Performing DIY maintenance on your HVAC system can be a rewarding and money-saving way to ensure your heating and cooling system runs smoothly. From changing air filters to cleaning vents and inspecting insulation, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions and practical tips. These do-it-yourself strategies are designed to improve your system’s efficiency, extend its lifespan, and possibly prevent costly repairs. However, it’s important to recognize your limits; some tasks require professional skills and tools.
Visual Inspection
A visual inspection of your heating system involves an examination of your heating unit for any signs of wear, damage, or unusual occurrences. Start by inspecting the outdoor unit for debris, damage, or obstructions that might impede airflow. Then, move indoors to check air vents, filters, and ductwork for blockages or dust accumulation. Pay close attention to any unusual noises, odors, or leaks both in and around the HVAC equipment.
Check Air Filters
An easy heating maintenance task is to check and change your air filters regularly. Over time, dust and debris accumulate on the filters, obstructing airflow. It’s recommended to change your air filter every three months. However, you should change your filters more if you have allergies or pets. Not only can this help your furnace work efficiently, but it can also improve your indoor air quality.
Inspect Vents and Registers
These DIY maintenance tasks are fairly simple; just check the vents and registers throughout your home to ensure they are free of dust, debris, and obstructions. Make sure they are open and unblocked by furniture, curtains, or rugs, as this can significantly affect airflow and system efficiency. Cleaning the vents and registers routinely also helps maintain good air quality in your home. While inspecting, look for any signs of damage or wear that might affect their functionality.
Check Thermostat
Ensure your thermostat functions correctly by verifying that it responds accurately to your heat settings. Start by observing if the temperature displayed matches the actual room temperature. You can also test the system by adjusting the thermostat setting to see if the heating system turns on and off as it should. It’s important to keep the thermostat free from dust and to check its batteries periodically. If you have a programmable thermostat, review the settings to ensure they match your current schedule and heating or cooling needs.
Change Batteries and Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
DIY heating maintenance also includes checking the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s recommended to change the batteries in these detectors at least once a year. A good practice is to do this when you adjust your clocks for daylight saving time.
It’s also recommended to test these detectors monthly by pushing the test button and listening for the alarm. If a detector is over ten years old, consider replacing it entirely to ensure reliability.
Deep Clean Your Home
As the holiday season approaches, it’s a great time to conduct a deep cleaning of your home to eliminate dust and grime that have accumulated over the summer. Start by detaching your vent registers, cleaning them with soapy water, and drying them thoroughly before reinstallation. Tackle your blinds and window treatments for a thorough clean, and don’t forget to vacuum the areas behind your stove and refrigerator.
It’s also important to clean out your dryer vent to ensure proper airflow and ensure that your furnace emits adequate heat. Keep your furnace vents unobstructed by furniture and maintain open vents throughout your home to ensure even heat distribution.
When To Call a Professional HVAC Technician
While a DIY job might sound like a great way to save money, some heating system problems are best left to the professionals at Lex Air Conditioning and Heating. We recommend performing the tasks listed above to make sure your heating system works properly, but if you notice any loud noises when your furnace is running, or there is a lack of warm air circulating through your home, it might be time to schedule an appointment with our Carrollton heating repair experts.
Energy Loss Evaluation
If you’re experiencing unusually high energy bills or noticing that your HVAC system isn’t maintaining temperature as efficiently as it used to, it’s time to schedule an energy loss evaluation with Lex Air. Our HVAC experts will conduct thorough assessments to identify areas where your heating system may be losing energy, such as leaks in ductwork, insufficient insulation, or outdated equipment. This analysis goes beyond what a typical homeowner can see, utilizing specialized tools and knowledge to pinpoint exact issues and recommend effective solutions.
Duct Cleaning
Over time, ducts can accumulate dust, allergens, and even mold, which impedes the efficiency of your heating system and can also affect indoor air quality. Our professional duct cleaning services involve comprehensive cleaning of your HVAC system’s ductwork, vents, registers, and other components.
The Carrollton clean air technicians use specialized tools and methods to remove debris and contaminants. This service is particularly crucial if you’ve noticed visible mold growth, a persistent unexplained odor, or increased dust and allergens in your home.
Electrical Components
Electrical components within your furnace or heat pump are intricate and require specialized knowledge for safe and effective handling. If you’re experiencing problems like the heater not turning on, frequent tripping of circuit breakers, unusual buzzing or humming noises, or inconsistent heating, these could be signs of underlying electrical issues. An HVAC professional can safely diagnose and repair problems related to capacitors, wiring, relays, and other electrical parts. Attempting to handle these components on your own can be dangerous and might lead to more severe damages or safety risks.
Heating System Tune-Up
Scheduling a heating system tune-up is essential for ensuring your system operates at peak efficiency, especially before the onset of colder months. During a heat pump or furnace tune-up, your HVAC tech will inspect and clean the system, including checking burners, the heat exchanger, and ignition systems for optimal performance.
They also assess and calibrate the thermostat, inspect fuel connections, and ensure all moving parts are properly lubricated. This preventative maintenance not only enhances the efficiency and longevity of your heating system but also finds potential issues before they escalate into costly repairs.
Repairing or Replacing Parts
While some minor HVAC repairs, like replacing filters or thermostat batteries, can be easily done by homeowners, more complex tasks, such as replacing motors, coils, or compressors, should be handled by our skilled HVAC technicians.
These components are integral to the heating system’s function and require precise handling and installation. A Carrollton HVAC tech can accurately diagnose the issue, recommend the best course of action, and ensure that any new parts are compatible and installed correctly.
Consider Subscribing to Our Annual HVAC Maintenance Program!
At Lex Air Conditioning and Heating, our customers can join our preventative maintenance program, the Cool Club. This maintenance plan ensures your HVAC system remains in peak condition year-round. As a member of the Cool Club, you receive regular, scheduled maintenance services twice a year that extend the lifespan and enhance the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. This program includes thorough inspections, cleaning, and necessary adjustments performed by our skilled HVAC technicians.
Unlike other maintenance programs, the benefits don’t stop with inspections of HVAC systems. Members also benefit from priority service, exclusive repair discounts, and special equipment pricing. The Cool Club is more than just a maintenance plan; it’s a commitment to keeping your home comfortable and energy-efficient while also providing peace of mind that your HVAC system is in expert hands.
Call Lex Air Conditioning and Heating for Professional HVAC System Maintenance in Carrollton and the Surrounding Areas
At Lex Air Conditioning and Heating, we understand that not all Carrollton homeowners are comfortable performing DIY maintenance on their HVAC systems. That’s why you can trust our technicians to handle any issue, big or small. We would much rather you call our heating and cooling pros than handle an HVAC task you’re uncomfortable with.
Our team of skilled professionals is dedicated to ensuring your heating and cooling systems operate at their best, providing comfort and efficiency to your home throughout the year. Whether it’s routine maintenance, emergency repairs, or expert advice on system upgrades, we offer top-notch service and reliable solutions. Contact Lex Air Conditioning and Heating at (972) 217-8955 or reach out online to schedule a heating system consultation for your Carrollton home or business.
