HVAC systems are essential for both businesses and homes across Australia and elsewhere.
When summer arrives and temperatures skyrocket, there is no better way to keep the heat at bay than to have a working HVAC system.
That being said, these systems require periodic maintenance if you want them to remain in perfect working condition.
Some of the maintenance tasks are better left to professionals, but there is still a lot you can do on your own.
Clean the Interior Unit
One of the easiest ways to keep your HVAC in proper working order is to clean it periodically.
There are two ways you can approach this job – a simple filter cleaning, and a more thorough cleaning job.
Cleaning the filters is a fairly straightforward task. You’ll want to open the interior unit, which usually reveals a set of air filters.
Pop those right out, give them a rinse in warm water and use a dedicated anti-bacterial cleaner to disinfect the filters.
If you have a central HVAC unit that’s running cold air through conduits, this process might prove to be a bit more complex.
In this case, you might need to change air filters for a new set.
Deeper Cleaning
Cleaning the interior unit past the air filters requires cleaning and disinfecting the fins of the condenser coil.
To do this, you might have to pull the interior unit apart beyond what most users are comfortable with.
However, this is the only way to get the job done right. As far as disinfecting goes, you’ll need a special disinfectant that comes in the form of pressurized foam.
Make sure to generously spray the condenser coil fins with the cleaning foam and let it sit for a while.
It takes a bit for the condenser coil cleaner to penetrate the fins and extract whatever dirt is hiding in between.
Experts over at suncityair.com.au argue that you should use quality condenser coil cleaners as they require the least amount of work.
Whether you’re comfortable cleaning your HVAC at this level is a personal decision.
Once you get it done once, chances are that you’ll be able to repeat the process every year or sooner depending on how often you need to clean your HVAC.
Inspect the Ducts
For larger HVAC systems that service larger objects, inspecting the conduits and ducts is a great way to ensure that your system is running smoothly.
While doing deep HVAC duct cleaning is a job that requires special tools and know-how, anyone can make sure that the AC ducts are not obstructed.
Get your vacuum cleaner and vacuum any debris or dirt you see in and around your HVAC ducts.
Clean the Outdoor Unit
Although the indoor unit gets all the glory, the outdoor unit is the one doing a massive portion of the work.
Not only that, but larger outdoor units require special care as they are exposed to many more environmental factors.
You’ll want to ensure that your outdoor unit is clean, that it has good airflow, and that there are no dangerous debris or objects in the vicinity of the unit.
Again, you can use the fin cleaning spray to get any stubborn dirt or debris out of the way.
Whatever you do, don’t pressure wash the outside unit. That’s a great way to cause massive damage to the entire system.
Clean/Inspect the Rest of the System
Once the exterior and interior units have been taken care of, do yourself a favor and clean the rest of the system.
This means wiping downpipes, checking conduits, connectors, and generally everything you can safely reach.
By cleaning these elements of the HVAC system, you’re also inspecting them for damage.
When to Get Professional Help?
Calling in the cavalry is a perfectly reasonable choice if you don’t feel comfortable performing any of the above maintenance procedures.
DIY isn’t for everyone and that is quite alright. That being said, it’s a good idea to call in professionals if you find any issues with your HVAC system.
There are types of HVAC maintenance and repair that simply shouldn’t be attempted by individuals who have no formal training in this trade.
Otherwise, you’re risking property damage and potentially even injury.
Professionals have all the tools and the know-how to get the job done quickly and safely.
All you need to do is find a competent, reliable crew that will take care of your HVAC and you’ll enjoy comfortable temperatures all year round.
We hope that this short guide was helpful and gave you a glimpse of what it means to perform basic HVAC maintenance.
