During the coldest part of the year, the average low temperature in St Louis, MO, is 25°F.
Luckily, you have your furnace and HVAC system to combat these cold temperatures. Or so you hope.
HVAC maintenance can often be forgotten, out of sight, out of mind. But, if you don’t take care of your system and do regular maintenance, it can lead to a decrease in the function of your HVAC, forcing you to make costly repairs. Then, while you wait on those repairs, you may be left without what is most likely the main form of heating for your home.
In order to take the best possible care of your HVAC system, you need to know what signs to look for so that it’s time for maintenance. That’s why in this post, we’re going over 7 signs that it’s time for some HVAC care.
Keep reading to learn more.
1. Dirty Air Filter
Changing the air filter is one of the easiest but most often overlooked pieces of an HVAC care routine. Depending on the season, the air filter will need to be changed more or less frequently. But it is usually the piece of maintenance that should be done most regularly.
If you haven’t changed your air filter recently or if you check and it is clogged and dirty, it’s definitely time for some maintenance. Clogged filters negatively impact the efficiency of your HVAC system as well as the quality of the air in your home.
If your air filter hasn’t been cleaned for a while, you should also consider cleaning the ductwork around it, as dust from the filter can come back and collect here.
2. Strange Noises
While HVAC systems do make noise when they’re running, for the most part, it’s only the whirring of the fan. Most of the time, this should fade into the background for you once it starts.
If you’re hearing other noises that you’re not used to, it can be a sign that some maintenance needs to be done.
If you hear squealing, banging, or tapping noises, that is an indication that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. Ideally, before it can create a bigger, more expensive problem.
3. Running Continuously or Turning On and Off Frequently
When an HVAC unit is working well, it should turn on for a while and then turn off once your home has reached the temperature you set on the thermostat. If it’s either running continuously or turning on and off without actually reaching that temperature, it’s a sign there’s a problem.
Having your furnace or air conditioner running constantly is not only a signal that something is wrong, but it can also wind up costing you more in energy bills. Keep up with your maintenance to help avoid this.
When your system turns on and off frequently without reaching the set temperature, it’s called short cycling. This often means that you either have a problem with the evaporator coils or that the unit is the wrong size for your home.
4. Higher Energy Bills
While your energy bills will likely be higher when you’re using your HVAC more during the very hot or cold months, an unexplained increase in the bill is a sign that your system needs maintenance.
Things like clogged filters, leaks, and dirty ductwork can make it, so the system has to work much harder to do its job and cool or heat your house. Because of this, it winds up using more energy, leading to increased energy bills.
Having maintenance done and making sure everything is clean and working well will help bring those costs back down.
5. Leaks
During the hot months when you’re using the unit to cool your house, you’ll need to look out for any leaks coming from the AC. These are most likely to be either water or refrigerant. These leaks can be caused by anything from clogged pipes or drains to rusted-out metal or worn-out rubber seals or access fittings.
On the other hand, when using your HVAC for heating, you may experience some water leaks, usually caused by a clogged condensation drain. However, what you need to pay attention to is if there is a gas leak near the furnace. If you do start to notice the smell of gas coming from your furnace, it can be very dangerous. To keep you and your family safe, it should receive immediate attention.
6. The Seasons Are Changing
Ideally, you’d have at least two tune-ups done each year as part of your HVAC maintenance routine. One to make sure the air conditioner and cooling systems are working, and once to check on the furnace and the heating system.
The perfect time to have this done is when the seasons are changing. Once the hot summer days are over, you’ll want to have your furnace looked at by HVAC professionals before we reach the real cold of winter. And once we make it through winter, you’ll want to have your AC maintenance done before it gets too hot in the summer.
7. You’ve Never Done Maintenance
If you’ve never had any maintenance done on your HVAC system, or if it’s been a long time, then it’s time to schedule a tune-up. The right team of professionals will be able to comb through the unit, making sure all pipes, tubes, seals, and vents are in good condition.
Prioritize HVAC Maintenance
You want your home to be as comfortable as possible, and the inside temperature plays a significant role in doing that. Make sure you take care of your HVAC system by prioritizing HVAC maintenance.
If you’re in the St Louis area and want your HVAC system and furnace checked over before the cold hits, we’re the team for you. Check out our furnace maintenance services today.
