A broken down heater in the middle of the winter is a nightmare for any homeowner. There are many things you can do that will prevent these unnecessary repairs. It’s as easy as changing your air filter whenever it is dirty or clogged. Some of these important maintenance checks can be a nuisance, but your wallet will thank you when the worst has been avoided.
Don’t know who to call for heater repair and maintenance? Cardinal Plumbing, Heating and Air has got you covered. Call us at (703) 705-9773 or click on the “book online” button on the main page.
Keep reading for eight tips on how to avoid expensive and unnecessary heating repair costs.
1. Change Your Air Filter
Changing your air filter is an easy and inexpensive way to avoid excessive heating repairs. Clean air filters ensure that your heating unit will function without any restrictions. Clogged and dirty filters may limit air flow and potentially lead to a fire hazard.
Not regularly changing your air filters can result in other parts of your unit failing and requiring repairs. This causes unnecessary stress on your unit and your budget. To make sure this doesn’t happen, change your air filters every 1-2 months as needed.
2. Clean the Condenser Coils and the Heat Pump
Cleaning the condenser coils and the heat pump may help to avoid unnecessary heating repairs. Regularly completing this task will prevent any internal damage within the unit. If the unit is outside, a hose can be used for the crevices.
For household units, a quick sweep on the top, bottom, and within the crevices will do the trick. The condensate line and coils will develop clogs if not cleaned regularly. However, if you notice any puddles or leaks from the unit, this needs to be checked by an HVAC professional. Puddles can be avoided if the unit is clean, so don’t worry too much.
3. Check Burner Flames
The burner flames are used to heat the air that will circulate through your home. Gas heaters or furnaces run on burner flames, therefore if the burner flames are faulty it will lead to extensive repairs for your heater. To make sure your heater does not work harder than it has to, check the flames to see if they are blue and steady. If not, a technician will have to repair the heater.
4. Clear the Drain Lines
Overtime drain lines may become clogged with debris, like dirt and dust. Clogs in the drain lines are a hassle to repair and are easily avoided. Homeowners can clean the drain lines by rinsing it with a mixture of water and vinegar. Be careful using chemical drain cleaners because they can corrode the inner lining of the pipe and lead to extensive damage. If you are not comfortable cleaning the drain lines for your heater, simply call or search for “HVAC repair Ashburn VA” for drain cleaning and annual inspections.
5. Regularly Test Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors are an important part of your home because it keeps your family safe. In the event of a carbon monoxide leak, the detector will alert everyone that the indoor air has been contaminated with CO. Regularly check that these detectors are powered on and change the batteries yearly or as needed. Avoiding a carbon monoxide leak will help to keep your family safe and repair costs low.
6. Clean around the Unit
Cleaning around your heating unit can prevent excess dirt accumulation, which can affect the function of your unit. Excess debris can obstruct the airflow. This will result in higher electrical costs and decreased air quality.
Cleaning your unit can avoid other parts breaking and costly repairs. Take a vacuum or broom and sweep away the dirt that is around the system. For outdoor areas, cut down shrubs and other greenery to make sure it is not blocking the vents or airflow of your unit. Make sure to keep leaves or tree branches away from the fan as they can significantly interfere with its function.
7. Upgrade When Needed
Regular maintenance is the best thing to do to lengthen the lifespan of your heating unit. However, all units come to their end at some point. Figuring out when an upgrade should be installed will be beneficial to your budget and the efficiency of your new unit.
Usually after 15-20 years the parts in the system start to fail and wear down, so this is typically the time frame that an upgrade is warranted. When picking an upgrade, make sure to look for high efficiency. Contact your local HVAC company and ask for an HVAC replacement.
8. Schedule Maintenance Inspections
Regular maintenance inspections help to ensure that your heater works at its best performance. With a well qualified technician, here are some tasks they will complete throughout the appointment:
- Cleaning the coils if they are dirty.
- Making sure that the fan works.
- Check to see if the blower blows out warm air.
- Cleaning the drain lines if clogged or dirty.
- Checking the air filter for dirt accumulation.
- Making sure there are no leaks anywhere in the system.
HVAC maintenance inspections can be scheduled seasonally or yearly depending on the age of the unit and your desired preference. Most homeowners have their heater checked during the summer and winter to ensure everything is working and will not cause them trouble at a later time.
Trustworthy HVAC Repair Ashburn VA
Avoiding excess heating costs in the winter is hard but regular maintenance in the hotter seasons will help in the long run. Cardinal Plumbing, Heating and Air is one of the best furnace repair Ashburn, VA companies. With dedication to you and your family, our technicians here at Cardinal will make sure your unit is up to date and efficiently working. We make sure to provide maintenance and repair plans that fall within your budget.
Trust Cardinal Plumbing, Heating and Air to help you avoid unnecessary heating repairs by scheduling a maintenance inspection. Call us at (703) 705-9773 or contact us online.