The Importance of Heating Maintenance

 

Furnace or heat pump maintenance performed on the appropriate schedule can prevent costly repairs by as much as a whopping 95%! You'll also lengthen the life of your system, keep your home safer by preventing frozen pipes (or the opposite, fire hazards), keep your equipment under warranty, improve indoor air quality, create a comfortable home environment, and save up to 30% on utility bills. Fully operational heaters also have a less negative environmental impact.

 

What Occurs During a Maintenance Visit?

 

Central Furnaces 

If you have a central furnace, our maintenance visit will generally consist of these steps:

• Check and calibrate the thermostat
• Take temperature readings and ensure the furnace heats to the desired thermostat setting 
• Ensure the motors and bearings are lubricated
• Change the air filter if needed and advise you on a replacement schedule
• Make sure the voltage and amp-draw are correct
• Inspect the gas line and flue pipe
• Ensure the pilot light assembly is working correctly
• Check the safety controls
• Remove and clean the burners
• Inspect the heat exchanger for wear and tear or cracks
• Make sure there are no loose panels
• Check the fan switch
• Replace any worn belts
• Check pulleys and replace them if needed
• Inspect ducting for blockages, debris, and general condition 

 

Heat Pumps

A heat pump should also receive maintenance before the colder season begins. Our heating maintenance checklist for heat pumps includes the following:

• Bring refrigerant to the proper level
• Clean the condenser coil in the outside condensing unit
• Oil the outdoor fan motor and check balance
• Check the temperature sensors
• Inspect electrical wiring and components
• Check the amperage of electrical parts  
• Flush the condensate drain line
• Clean the evaporator coil and drain pan 
• Lubricate the blower motor
• Replace the air filter if needed
• And more, depending on your system

 

Trust the Pros for Heating Maintenance in Valparaiso, IN and surrounding areas

Nothing brings that warm, cozy feeling to your home like an efficiently performing heater. Contact Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. to schedule your heat pump or furnace service appointment. You will stay toasty all winter season!

Our Top Summer Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

Now that summer has finally arrived, you will likely find yourself using your home's air conditioner frequently to keep your family cool. In order to ensure that your air conditioner runs reliably throughout the hot weeks that are still to come, it is critical that you perform maintenance on your HVAC system to keep it performing optimally. In order to reduce your chances of encountering problems with your HVAC system when you need it most, here is a look at a few critical air conditioning maintenance steps that you should take this summer. 

Change The Filter
While this may seem obvious, it is important that you do not underestimate how critical it is to replace your air conditioner's filter frequently. When your air filter is dirty, this restricts the airflow to your HVAC system, causing your air conditioner to have to work harder to cool your home. Not only can this lead to increased energy costs, but it can also put added stress on your air conditioner's components. This can cause your air conditioner to break down when you need it most, leading to costly repairs. You should then replace your air filter frequently as directed by your system's manufacturer (generally every 1-3 months).

Clean The Return Air Ducts
In addition to replacing your air filter, it is also important that you take the time to clean your return air duct covers. Duct covers that are clogged with dust and dirt will also block airflow to your air conditioner, which can reduce your AC system's efficiency and life expectancy. Try to make of habit of cleaning these return vents every time you dust your house. 

Schedule an AC Tune-Up
Of course, the best way to ensure that your air conditioner is ready for the coming summer months is to schedule an AC tune-up. During a professional HVAC tune-up service, an HVAC technician will inspect your air conditioner to make sure that it is running properly, and, if necessary, they will perform maintenance and repairs in order to ensure optimal performance this summer, which can save you money in the long-run.

Contact Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. for more advice on steps that you can take to maintain your HVAC system this summer. 

Reasons You May Need A New Air Conditioner

Even if you take perfect care of your air conditioning unit, it won't last forever.  If you have high energy bills or your air conditioner isn't working as well as it used to, you might need to replace your unit.

Because replacing an air conditioning unit is a big investment, you want to make the right decision. If you are thinking about replacing your unit, we’ve detailed some points for you to think about.
First, you may be asking yourself "how long can I expect my air conditioner unit to last?" Generally, air conditioner units are expected to last around 10-15 years. That timeframe will depend on many factors, including how well the air conditioner unit was maintained and how hard it worked during its lifetime.

Because the ideal replacement time will be different for every homeowner, there is no perfect time to replace your unit. That said, below are reasons why you might need to replace the unit.

• Your air conditioner breaks down frequently: At some point, it's going to cost more money to keep repairing an old air conditioner than to replace it.
• Significant home renovations: If you are expanding the livable space in your house, you may need a more powerful air conditioner to cool your house down.
• You have high energy bills: One cause of high energy bills is an older air conditioning unit. New air conditioner models are built to be more efficient than older units.  In addition, wear and tear will reduce the efficiency of an older model. You may be able to dramatically reduce your energy bills with a new air conditioner unit.
• Your home isn't comfortable, even after running your air conditioner: If it's difficult to cool down your house or takes longer than it used to, you might need a new unit.

If you think you might need to replace your air conditioner unit, contact us here at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. We can discuss the best options for your home and install a new unit in no time!