While it is the summer season and we are cranking up our AC systems to stay cool, it’s essential to maintain our heating systems, too, so everything is running efficiently when winter comes around. We all know the importance of AC and heating for the winter and summer, yet it’s easy to forget routine maintenance and checkups until the season arrives. At Alves Fuels, we know how important it is to you and your family to stay comfortable all year long, so we put together a quick guide to help you keep all of your systems running their best. If you haven’t scheduled your system maintenance and tune-ups, we are here to help, simply shield an appointment today, and we will ensure your heating and cooling needs are taken care of.
AC Maintenance Checklist
Check Your Air Filter
If you have an AC system, checking on your filter regularly will keep your air quality fresh and help your system run more efficiently since the air won’t have to fight to get through any accumulated dust and gunk. Depending on what type of system you have, you will need to replace or wash the filter.
Clean Your Air Vents
Vents are just as important as your air filters and need to be regularly cleaned to minimize dust, dander, and pollen. You can easily wipe the surface with a cloth or damp paper towel and use a pipe cleaner to get into the hard-to-reach places. If you notice black fuzz on the pipe cleaner or notice any black gunk when cleaning – get it checked out., this can be a sign of black mold which can cause numerous health issues for you and your family.
Keep Your Compressor Level
If you have a compressor or condenser, soil can shift, creating an uneven foundation that can create functionality problems with your compressor. Make sure your unit is level and use shims to keep it level if you notice it is shifting.
Remove Any Outside Debris
Similar to keeping your air filters clean, removing any built-up gunk on your compressor, condenser, or window unit will keep your system running efficiently and prevent clogs. This is especially important after windy days and storms.
Check Your Thermometer and Temperature
While checking the exact temperature of your AC system can be difficult, you can always tell if the AC is blowing cool air. Before it gets too hot, we recommend turning up your AC and testing how the air feels. If you notice it’s warm or has any strange smells, make an appointment with one of our specialists.
Along with these important maintenance checklist items, there are a few more items you can straighten bent fins, clean evaporator coils, and also clean the evaporator drain.
For general maintenance, aim to inspect, clean, and change air filters once a month. If you are unsure of how to maintain your filters or anything else on this list, our team is happy to help. We offer AC system tuneups, maintenance, installation, and repair so we can help you stay cool and comfortable this summer.
Heating Maintenance Checklist
Now that you are up to date on ways to keep your AC running effectively, let’s dive into ways you can keep your heating system up to par all year long.
Change Your Filter
Yes, we added “change your filter” to the list again because it is that important. A dirty filter will negatively impact the air quality in your home, and all the built-up junk will filter back into your home’s air, so aim to switch out your filter every month.
Have An Expert Clean Debris
Removing debris on your burners is important since dust and direct can build up during the summer months while your heating system is not in use. We do not recommend you clean burners on your own, but you can vacuum around the area.
Make Sure Your Vents Aren’t Blocked
It’s easy to have rugs, chairs, and other furniture blocking your vents, especially when you are not using them. Try to keep all of your vents clear so you can get the most out of your airflow.
Check Your Thermostat
While it can seem counterintuitive to test your heat during the summer, ensuring the thermostat is working correctly and blowing air is essential. If you switch on the furnace, you should also check to see how long it takes for your thermostat to respond to the change.
Oil The Blower
It’s important to ensure that your furnace blower is working correctly. Ideally, it would help if you had it oiled professionally once a year. This will prevent squeaky, loud sounds from coming through when your heater is turned on this winter.
Schedule Routine Maintenance
Having a professional inspect and perform a tune-up on your system will help keep things comfortable and safe this year. An inspection or maintenance appointment will ensure everything is running correctly, that you don’t need new parts, and will handle any problems like odd sounds, smells, or lack of air pressure.
We hope this guide helps you ensure your systems are taken care of all year long and all of your calling and heating system maintenance needs are taken care of. If you need an appointment for your cooling or heating system, reach out to our team, and we can ensure your system is running efficiently and show you how to maintain it every month. You can set up an appointment through your online portal or call (413) 589-0797 or email info@alvesfuels.com
