The fall season brings a great opportunity for homeowners to take care of some much-needed home maintenance. Two of these important maintenance items are HVAC systems and home plumbing. This piece will explore several different maintenance items you may want to get checked to keep your home efficient, safe, and comfortable.
HVAC and Plumbing Maintenance Benefits
Maintaining your HVAC system is critical to keeping your system running efficiently. This efficiency helps lower your energy bills, reduces the frequency of needed repairs, and extends the lifespan of your system. Additionally, maintenance helps increase the comfort level of your home by allowing your HVAC system to more easily bring your interior spaces to your preferred temperature.
Plumbing maintenance ensures your home is safe and functional. Inspection and maintenance of your plumbing systems can prevent future damage to both your plumbing system and your home. Failing to address minor problems that can be found during professional plumbing maintenance can lead to disastrous emergency issues later. Maintaining your plumbing system also helps increase your home’s water efficiency. This increased water efficiency can lower your water bills and is friendlier to the environment.
Fall HVAC Maintenance Checklist
Here are several HVAC maintenance items that should be performed to ensure your system runs optimally:
Air Filter Replacement
Air filters should be replaced in your HVAC system as needed depending on your system usage patterns, air filter type, and your local environment. As you run your system, dust, allergens, and other contaminants will accumulate on your air filter. Eventually, this can cause an airflow disruption, forcing your system to work harder to condition your air. Disrupting the airflow can increase energy bills and lower your home’s comfort level.
Vent and Register Cleaning
The vents or registers in different rooms of your home can accumulate some dust and debris that wasn’t caught by your air filter. You can attempt to clean these vents with a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. However, if the buildup of dust and debris is significant, it may signal a larger accumulation in your air ducts that requires professional cleaning.
Thermostat Inspection
Your thermostat should be working correctly and set to a temperature that is appropriate for your home and preferences. If thermostat issues are present, it may be a great opportunity to upgrade your thermostat to a smart thermostat for better control. Upgrading to a smart thermostat can lead to increased energy savings.
Air Leak Check
Have your home inspected for potential air leaks, especially around windows and doors. These air leaks can reduce the efficiency of your system. Additionally, your air ducts should be professionally inspected for air leaks. Any leaks that are found in your ductwork need to be sealed to ensure your system performs optimally.
Outdoor Unit Maintenance
You should clear any debris off of your outdoor unit and ensure that there is sufficient clearance around your outdoor unit for proper system airflow. Additionally, a professional technician should inspect and maintain the inside of your outdoor unit, including the lubrication of any moving parts.
Inspect and Clean Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger needs to be professionally inspected for any cracks, and it needs to be cleaned. While a heater is usually only needed for a few short months in Florida, the heat exchanger is a critical component that requires maintenance. If your heat exchanger is damaged, it can lead to a harmful carbon monoxide leak.
Check and Clean Blower Assembly
Like your vents and air ducts, your system’s blower assembly needs to be inspected and cleaned to ensure that it’s free from an accumulation of dust and debris. This helps to maintain proper efficiency and system airflow. A blower that is obstructed can increase energy bills.
Electrical Connection Inspection
HVAC systems have several electrical connections that can have problems, especially in older systems. Electrical connections should be checked to ensure that any loose wires are tightened and that wires aren’t frayed or exposed to potential shorts. Loose or damaged wires in an HVAC system can lead to a fire hazard.
Fall Plumbing Maintenance Checklist
Here are various plumbing maintenance tasks that should be performed to ensure the proper function of your plumbing system and prevent bigger issues from occurring:
Leak Inspection
Your plumbing systems should be inspected for any leaks. Pipes, faucets, and other fixtures should be checked for any signs of leakage. Even a minor leak that occurs and is unnoticed or ignored can lead to significant water damage over a long enough timeline.
Check Water Pressure
The water pressure of your home should be tested to ensure it’s in the optimal range. If the water pressure of your plumbing system is too high, it can damage your pipes and any fixtures. Conversely, if your water pressure is too low, it can indicate a problem somewhere in your plumbing system.
Test Sump Pump
If you have a sump pump, it needs to be tested and maintained to ensure it’s functioning correctly. The sump pump can be tested by pouring water into the sump pit. If the pump fails to activate and promptly remove water, your sump pump may require repairs.
Water Heater Inspection
Water heaters should be checked to see if there are any signs of a leak or corrosion. Sediment building up in your water heater can reduce its efficiency and lifespan. Regular maintenance performed on your water heater helps to ensure your home has a reliable hot water supply.
Drain Cleaning
Drains should be professionally cleaned to ensure that water can properly drain when needed. This helps to prevent any potential clogs that will prevent your plumbing system from running smoothly. Drain cleaning reduces the risk of your system backing up and releasing unpleasant odors. Beware of using chemical cleaners yourself. Using the wrong cleaner for your system or using it improperly can lead to pipe damage.
Importance of Professional Maintenance
Homeowners can handle some minor maintenance tasks on their own like cleaning the front of air vents, changing air filters, or inspecting faucets for drips. However, many items on these checklists should be handled by professional HVAC technicians or professional plumbers. Attempting serious DIY maintenance tasks can result in more problems, damage to your home, and pose a risk to your safety.
Do you live in Southwest Florida and need HVAC or plumbing maintenance? Plumbing & Cooling Nerds is here for you. We serve Bonita Springs, Naples, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and the surrounding areas. We offer extensive comprehensive HVAC and plumbing services including maintenance, repairs, and installations. If you’d like to schedule maintenance for your home or you would like more information about our services, reach out to Plumbing & Cooling Nerds today!
