Although home owners rely on their heating and air conditioning systems to keep their homes comfortable year round, many neglect routine maintenance and upgrades. They simply expect their HVAC system to work when they need it, without ever cleaning, adjusting, or paying much attention to it. And then, when the furnace stops working in the middle of January or the air conditioner dies during a 100° heat wave, these careless home owners are in a bind.
The best way to prevent emergencies with your furnace or air conditioner is simply to have them regularly serviced by a professional HVAC company. Routine cleanings, service, and repairs will help your heating and cooling system live a long life and keep you and your family healthy and comfortable no matter the temperature outside!
Air Conditioners
Annual air conditioner service is recommended by most manufacturers. This routine maintenance will identify bigger problems as well as check coolant levels, condenser efficiency, and other performance related areas to keep your air conditioner in great working order. This maintenance is necessary for all types of air conditioners from heat pumps to traditional cooling units.
One common issue with air conditioning systems is size. Not all homes have the right size central air conditioner unit or the appropriately sized ductwork to carry the cooled air throughout the house. Either issue can cause your air conditioner to work too hard, leading to problems down the road. Make sure that any new air conditioner or ductwork is the correct size prior to installation or have an air conditioner specialist evaluate your current system for proper scale.
If you have an older air conditioning system, you may still be using Freon as a refrigerant. In recent years, this substance has been banned by the EPA as dangerous to the environment and should not be used. For your safety and the planet's, the coolant in your air conditioner needs to be replaced with an environmentally safe product like Puron. Trained professional air conditioning contractors can safely dispose of the old refrigerant and get your air conditioner running with the new "green" air conditioning technology.
Furnaces and Boilers
As with air conditioners, all types of furnaces and boilers should be cleaned at least once a year. In addition to removing accumulated debris, this allows the furnace repair technician to spot other issues and fix them before they become bigger problems! Especially with steam boilers the boiler and burner tray should be cleaned annually for efficient burning and heating.
Also, you probably don't realize it, but regularly servicing your heating system can actually improve your comfort and quality of life. Furnace problems can lead to humidity imbalances: excessive humidity or dryness can cause health problems including mold growth, asthma attacks, itchy eyes, and nose bleeds as well as adversely affecting woodwork and windows. An expert heating professional can diagnose issues with your furnace and adjust it to optimize humidity and make your home as comfortable as possible.
Your furnace or boiler could likely benefit from an upgrade or repair, especially if it is an older unit. Steam boilers are particularly prevalent in older homes and require frequent maintenance, but this existing heating infrastructure can be enhanced with small adjustments or improvements. Among the repairs recommended to improve your steam boiler's efficiency and lengthen its life span are:
· replacing leaky radiator valves
· installing a spark ignition in place of a pilot light
· replacing rusted or damaged pipes
· installing a skim tap system to remove sludge build up
· adjusting gas valve pressure
Even forced hot water heat, which is virtually maintenance-free, can benefit from small upgrades. A home heating professional might recommend adding an air eliminator to reduce water noise or upgrading to a new expansion tank that takes up less space.
HVAC System Cleaning
In addition to regular maintenance and occasional system upgrades, it is important to have your HVAC system cleaned annually. The ductwork connected to your air conditioner or forced hot air heating can collect dust, mold, pollen, bacteria, and other allergens; these built-up contaminants are circulated throughout your home every time the furnace kicks in or the air conditioner turns on. By regularly having your heating and cooling system cleaned, you prevent these potentially dangerous substances from being spread throughout your home.
These HVAC system repairs and maintenance may seem like common sense, but you would be surprised by how many home owners routinely neglect their heating and cooling system. By taking the time to call an air conditioning and furnace company [http://absolute-home-comfort.boston-biz.com/site/services] once a year, you can optimize your HVAC system for efficiency and probably prevent emergency situations from developing. Take care of your heating and cooling system, and they'll keep you comfortable the whole year round!
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