Maintaining an HVAC system is multifaceted. On the one hand, there is the regular maintenance that must be done to keep things in good working order. On the other hand, there is a great deal of troubleshooting that can, and sometimes must, be done when something goes wrong. Generally, the likelihood of big problems occurring is the most reduced when HVAC system cleaning is performed regularly.

The Regular Maintenance

All HVAC systems use filters. If these filters are not replaced regularly, the system will become inefficient. The inefficiency is twofold. As the filters age, more and more dust gets into the filter fibres. This is a problem because filters that have already captured their maximum amount of dust become ineffective, so there is a degradation in air quality. Secondly, those dirty, clogged filters create a resistance to airflow. Because the air is not allowed to pass through the filter fibers, there will not be an adequate delivery of hot or cold air to keep the room at its pre-set temperature. The net result is that the HVAC uses more energy to deliver the same temperatures. Without HVAC system cleaning, these inefficiencies will lead to increased energy bills and will likely reduce the lifespan of the unit as a whole.

in addition to blocked filters, there can also be blockages in the ducts, and the heating and cooling hardware. Debris tends to pile up and collect in deposits along the walls of the ductwork. These deposits tend to be more disruptive to airflow then clogged filters. The most disruptive are blockages in the heat exchangers or air conditioning coils. Because these interfere with the heating and cooling directly at the source, it is not uncommon that they will affect the performance of the system acutely. For example, the temperature may not go above a certain value in the winter, or below a certain value in the summer. HVAC system cleaning on a regular schedule is the best way to avoid these issues.

What goes wrong when you skip the maintenance

Blockages in ductwork that go unattended can be hard on the blowers. Sometimes, blower motor failure will occur if there is increased load on the system caused by resistance to airflow. This is a major problem because an HVAC cannot run at all without blowers. Parts for the motors are not always available especially if your make and model is no longer in production. Replacing the blowers entirely is very expensive. However, this will be the least of your concerns if you have to relocate until the problem can be fixed. Given the problems that this can cause, having a simple HVAC system cleaning to ensure that the blowers are not overloaded might be a good precaution.

Clogged or dirty coils can cause refrigerant leaks. Air conditioners use special liquids called refrigerants to cool down high volumes of air in a way that is highly efficient When these fluids are no longer contained in their housing, the whole unit will shut down, as there is no longer any medium to use for cooling. Not only will this leave you without air conditioning, but it is often difficult for service technicians to deal with because the refrigerant housing styles vary by make and model. Being proactive by scheduling an HVAC system cleaning will help avoid this.

When you hire a contractor to perform your HVAC system cleaning, make sure to use someone who takes the time to clean the ducts thoroughly, inspects the coils and heat exchangers, and looks at the blowers. Anybody can replace the filters and walk away. A quality technician will be able to tell you about potential problems you may be prone to in the future, and make the right recommendations. Maintaining an HVAC system is a never-ending battle. The best thing you can do is to form the right habits so that everything stays under control in the long run.