With the sometimes wild extremes of Oregon weather, you rely heavily on your heating and cooling system to carry you through the seasons comfortably. Your HVAC system works hard, especially when temperatures peak in the middle of summer and winter. To keep it in optimal condition, you need regular maintenance. Our technicians offer skilled heating and cooling maintenance so that your system can easily battle the high and low temperatures from that our unique climate brings.
The Basics of Heating and Cooling Maintenance
Regular maintenance for your HVAC system is crucial. We recommend scheduling maintenance every year. For your heating system, schedule service late in the summer before the temperatures drop to ensure the furnace is ready for winter. Schedule your air conditioner service in the early spring before the weather heats up and leaves you in need of cooling.
Maintenance of your heating and cooling system involves numerous steps. To better understand the importance of this service, it’s important to understand what our technicians do when we perform annual maintenance.
Visual Inspection
Throughout the maintenance service, our technicians closely inspect the different parts and components of your system. We look for signs of damage and malfunction and ensure all parts are safe and functional. As we work through other maintenance tasks, we continue this visual inspection to ensure no part is overlooked.
Cleaning
Keeping your system clean means removing built-up dust and debris. We wipe down the outside of your furnace and remove debris from atop your outdoor AC unit. We also wipe away dust from the different parts inside your system, helping lower stress and reduce the risk of fires.
Lubrication
Some parts inside your HVAC system move during operation. These parts may rub against others and become worn over time. Our technicians lubricate these moving parts to prevent damage from friction, keeping them in better condition.
Clear Condensate Drains
Your system has condensate drain lines that carry water away from the system to prevent electrical damage and other problems. Our technicians check the drain lines, ensuring they are securely connected and have no leaks. We also clear the lines to ensure they are not blocked, which could cause the water to back up into the system.
Test Safety Controls
Many HVAC systems have safety switches and mechanisms that prevent the system from operating if a malfunction is detected. We test these controls to ensure your system responds properly. If the safety controls fail to work properly, your system may not be safe for use until repairs are made.
Check Refrigerant
Your air conditioner requires refrigerant to create cold air. We check the refrigerant in your system and refill it as needed. We also assess for leaks, which could have terrible consequences for your safety and the environment.
Gas Components
We check the pilot light and ensure that it is lit. We also ensure the gas valve is open and that gas pressure is within normal range. Additionally, we test for carbon dioxide that can indicate a dangerous gas leak. Finally, we ensure all gas lines are secure and intact without damage.
Assess Airflow
Once we make all adjustments and feel the system is ready for use, we fire it up. We check for adequate airflow from the vents in your home. This means that you have even and sufficient hot and cold air throughout the house.
Smells and Sounds
The HVAC system should operate quietly without loud or strange noises. Any banging, clanging, whistling, or loud humming may indicate a problem. If unusual sounds are noted, our technicians will investigate further.
Smells are not typical from the heating and cooling system. All odors should be carefully assessed so that repairs can be made before your system is put into use.
Calibrate Thermostat
A properly calibrated thermostat is essential for ideal control of the heating and cooling system. Our technicians will ensure your thermostat is mounted in an appropriate place away from heat-producing appliances and HVAC vents. If the temperature on your device doesn’t match that of the space around it, we’ll calibrate the thermostat until it gives an accurate reading.
How Annual Maintenance Makes an Impact
Now that you understand the tasks we perform during annual maintenance, you may have a better understanding of why the service is so crucial. With regular maintenance, you can enjoy several key benefits.
Reliability
Annual maintenance boosts the reliability of your heating and cooling system. Our technicians perform several tasks designed to keep the parts and components of your system in better condition, making them less likely to fail. Additionally, with our inspection, we find problems before the change of seasons, giving us ample time to make repairs before you need the furnace or air conditioner.
Efficiency
A clean and healthy system works more efficiently than one that has been neglected. This smooth operation leads to greater energy efficiency thanks to the lowered stress and strain on the system. Increased energy efficiency means you’ll see lower heating and cooling costs associated with the furnace and AC.
Longer Lifespan
Your furnace and air conditioner will see more years of functional life with regular maintenance, cleaning, and tuning. The individual parts of the system are kept in better condition, leading to reliable and efficient heating and cooling for longer. When thinking in terms of a lifetime of owning your home, you could replace your system one or two fewer times and save a large sum of money.
Air Quality
Clearing away dust and other contaminants from your system leads to better indoor air quality inside your home. Allergens and dust can make it more difficult to breathe and can cause health concerns for more vulnerable people. If left untouched, these contaminants can drastically lower the quality of the breathing air in your house.
Cleanliness
Another perk of cleaning your system during annual maintenance is a cleaner home. You’ll have less dust inside the system that circulates over and over through your house. Dust will not accumulate on surfaces inside the house as quickly, helping you save time on cleaning.
Hire the Local Heating and Cooling Heroes
With more than 15 years of providing quality heating and cooling services to our neighbors and friends in the Hillsboro region, we’ve learned a thing or two. Our trusted technicians are highly trained to ensure they provide the best HVAC maintenance, repairs, and installation services for you and your home. In addition, we offer heat pump and ductless systems to help with your home comfort needs. We also perform indoor air quality services, duct sealing, thermostat replacements and upgrades, and water heater services. With our extensive experience, advanced skills, and comprehensive services portfolio, we are your premier home comfort specialists and are ready to help you battle Mother Nature and stay comfortable inside your home.
Contact us at Pro Heating and Cooling, Inc. today to schedule comprehensive maintenance and keep your system on track.
