If you are going to have an HVAC technician perform furnace tune up on the HVAC system in your Dickinson home or office, you should expect the process to include three key phases. This includes cleaning, inspection, and maintenance. If there is some damage to your home HVAC system, the care could involve repairs. You should expect your HVAC technician to recommend steps you need to take now or steps you can take in the near future to keep your HVAC system working optimally.
What Happens During HVAC Inspection?
An HVAC technician will typically start by giving your equipment a general inspection. Some homeowners choose to have both their air conditioner and their furnace tuned up during one visit. Another option is to have the air conditioner serviced during one part of the year and the furnace serviced later. Part of the inspection of your air conditioner will include reviewing the drain pan and seeing to it that refrigerant levels are sufficient. When they look at your furnace, they will check the compressor and the motor and ensure that the burners, pilot light, and other components are in good shape.
What Is HVAC Cleaning?
Cleaning is a key part of HVAC maintenance. This includes changing filters, cleaning dirty burners, ensuring that the coils of your air conditioner are clean, and making sure that the unit is in good condition in order to keep it functioning efficiently.
What Is HVAC Maintenance?
HVAC tune ups are a worthwhile investment. A technician will correct any issues with your HVAC unit. This includes replacing worn-out parts, which prevents serious damage in the future. If refrigerant levels in your air conditioner are abnormally low, the technician will check your system for leaks and recharge your system.
Maintenance includes evaluating moving parts like fan blades and electrical parts. This includes capacitors and other aspects of your HVAC system that are required for consistent and efficient operation. It is preferable to preemptively schedule small annual visits as opposed to waiting until the unit breaks down and requires expensive repairs.
What Will Happen During Residential HVAC Tune Ups?
HVAC maintenance is the only way to ensure your HVAC unit will work as it should year after year without major breakdowns. There are some minor tasks a homeowner may be able to do themselves. The majority of the work should be performed by a qualified HVAC technician.
Electrical Connections
Your HVAC technician will check the capacitor. This component absorbs and stores electrical energy from the primary power supply. The capacitors are what allow the fans to run efficiently and activate when needed. The capacitor keeps the fan motors running at a steady pace.
Capacitors control the electricity flow of your AC system. Their job is to shut off the power supply or provide power whenever needed. When the cooling cycle begins, the thermostat sends signals to the capacitors, beginning the process of cooling the home. Other electrical components that your HVAC technician will check include relays, the thermostat, pressure switches, and the motor.
Calibrating Your Thermostat
An HVAC technician will evaluate your thermostat’s position to see if it’s in an ideal location. If your thermostat is too close to an exterior door or exposed to direct sunlight, it could provide a faulty reading that will impact your HVAC system’s performance. Dirty buildup inside the thermostat is a common issue that affects its communication with your furnace. When this happens, the thermostat loses its ability to accurately gauge the air temperature in your house. Like all HVAC system components, thermostats have a limited lifecycle, and the older they become, the greater the chance of them breaking.
Check System Safety Devices
When furnaces operate correctly, they are safe appliances. However, furnaces burn fuel to generate heat, which means they can pose safety issues if they malfunction. The safety devices within your HVAC system are designed to detect problems, including the limit switch, which acts like a thermometer and monitors the temperature around the combustion chamber. The thermocouple serves as a safety device to ensure the pilot light is burning, preventing gas from leaking into your home.
Newer furnaces often replace the thermocouple with a mercury flame sensor. Other safety features in modern furnaces are the air pressure switch and a draft inducer. The draft inducer is a fan that expels any remaining combustion gases from the furnace’s combustion chamber before reigniting the burners. This prevents small explosions when the burners ignite and also inhibits soot buildup on the burners.
Carbon monoxide detectors, although not directly installed in your furnace, play a critical role in the safety of your heating system. If these sensors fail, there is a risk of dangerous gas leaks into your home. During your HVAC maintenance and inspection, your technician will assess these safety sensors to ensure they are effectively safeguarding your home.
Indoor and Outdoor Coils
There are two coils in your AC system, and both of them are susceptible to leaks. Part of maintenance includes cleaning the dirt and grime off of these coils to ensure that they are able to accurately release heat and perform at peak performance. Dirty coils can force your AC system to work harder, putting a toll on your HVAC equipment and leading to frequent breakdowns and repairs.
Heat Exchangers and Combustion
The heat exchanger is a key part of your furnace. Flames go into the heat exchanger and travel through it. This heat is passed to the air that is blown over the heat exchanger. Exhaust leaves your heat exchanger through the flue. Your heat exchanger needs to work at a high level. If it doesn’t, carbon monoxide and other toxins from your HVAC system could find their way into your home.
Air Filters
During your HVAC inspection and maintenance, your HVAC technician will look at the condition of your air filter and may recommend replacing it. They will offer suggestions on how frequently the filter should be changed based on the manufacturer’s recommendation for your HVAC system as well as its use.
Blower Motor Operation
Your furnace blower motor, like other components in your HVAC system, has a finite lifespan, typically ranging from 10 to 20 years. However, the better you maintain and service it, the fewer repairs will be needed. Common indicators that your furnace blower motor requires a tune up include grinding or screeching noises during operation or unusual odors from the unit.
When your HVAC technician examines the blower motor, they may suggest either repairing it or purchasing a new one. In older furnaces, it becomes more cost-effective to replace the entire heating system rather than investing in costly repairs or attempting to replace the blower motor alone.
The Best Heating and Air Conditioning Services in Dickinson, Texas
Since 1992, Mackey Services has been ensuring Southeast Texas stays cool. Our experienced team of HVAC technicians proudly delivers reliable comfort services. We take pride in employing NATE-certified technicians.
Our range of services encompasses HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance. We conduct indoor air quality tests, install smart thermostats, and operate in both commercial and residential settings. On the electrical front, we offer services like electrical repair, EV charging station installation, and surge protection. Additionally, our landscaping services cover irrigation inspection, repairs, property maintenance, and fertilization. Get in touch with Mackey Services today, and witness for yourself why we are the trustworthy choice for your HVAC, electrical, and landscaping needs.
