HVAC Systems can be lifesavers for those living in extreme conditions. Typically, HVAC systems are used for air conditioning, so they can have a time off during cold weather. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t need maintenance or regular checks.
If you have an HVAC installation in your home or office, it’s essential to get it checked regularly to avoid hefty financial drawbacks. Hence, a properly checked HVAC system can have a long lifespan.
But as a common user, how frequently should you inspect your HVAC system? More importantly, why do you need a professional HVAC maintenance service for an inspection?
In this post, we will discuss everything you need to know about HVAC system inspections to help you understand the value of regular maintenance. So, find out the answers to some critical questions related to HVAC inspections in this post.
Why HVAC Maintenance Inspection Is Important
HVAC inspection provides many advantages to users. Not only does it save you money but it’s also good for safety purposes and helps ensure clean and purified air ventilation in your home and office.
Here is a quick look at why you should go for an HVAC maintenance inspection.
Reduced Electric Bills
HVAC inspection processes can be quite rigorous, so the inspection technicians evaluate all the subsystems in great detail. They check every component of the air conditioning and heating systems. Moreover, the pipes, refrigerant quality, condenser coils, and evaporators are checked.
As technicians look deeply into each system, they can identify any potential problems and carry out preventative maintenance for each component. As a result, you can avoid bigger problems before they pop up.
Likewise, professional duct cleaning service persons can figure out leaks and duct issues too. So,preventing the leakages allows you to reduce energy consumption, which directly impacts the bills. When every component works at its best efficiency, they reduce energy consumption, so the bills automatically cut down considerably.
Improve Safety
HVAC maintenance is essential for your safety. HVAC systems typically include pressure equipment like compressors. Likewise, some condensers and evaporators contain chemically harmful refrigerants.
As HVAC systems run continuously, the parts tend to undergo wear and tear, and they eventually produce more carbon and harmful byproducts.
With timely maintenance and inspection, you can avoid the health risks posed by such chemicals and gases. Moreover, if a technician identifies possible gas leakages, it can help avoid risks of fire and similar problems.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Air quality is a major issue in most parts of the world. Since natural air is a key ingredient in air conditioning systems, it can cause corrosion and other issues in the air conditioning systems if they aren’t regularly inspected.
With regular inspection, HVAC maintenance services can eliminate any corroded or damaged parts and help improve the air quality.
In the US, the air quality in most parts isn’t too great. Thanks to industrial activities and climate changes, several states in the country are severely affected by poor air quality. For instance, the air quality index in Dallas is much better compared to others like California, Washington, Texas, etc.
Hence, getting a regular check from HVAC installation Dallas services can be a good option for ensuring high-quality indoor air for your family and office environment.
What to Expect From an HVAC Repair and Maintenance Service
Now that you know why HVAC inspection services are so valuable, let’s talk about what you can expect from these services. Generally, these services are offered by air conditioning and heating service providers and contractors.
Generally, many services include:
- Testing
- Cleaning
- Inspection
- Adjustment
Most of these processes are quite rigorous and involve several steps. Inspection services should ideally be performed every six months.
When you opt for such a service, you can expect the technical staff to adjust your equipment to enhance its performance. Moreover, they may also repair or replace certain components to prevent further damage or bigger issues in the future.
The Aim of an Inspection Service
Every HVAC service primarily aims to improve the system’s efficiency. More importantly, they will adjust the system according to the climate in the near future. For instance, when summer is just around the corner, there will be more frequent use of air conditioning, which would soar up the electric bills.
In such cases, the technicians adjust the HVAC installation to ensure the best efficiency and reduce energy bills. Typically, air conditioning services provide biannual services for prolonged efficiency.
Preventative Maintenance
Other than adjustments, technicians also focus on preventative maintenance. It involves processes like
- Changing air filters
- Duct Cleaning
- Fixing soundproofing equipment
- Inspecting the warning signs for potential safety hazards.
Preventative maintenance not only ensures better efficiency but also improves air quality and reduces energy bills. On top of that, it can prevent large financial drawbacks in the case of malfunctioning or broken parts.
Safety Checks
Many HVAC systems have electrical systems and moving parts. In that case, safety becomes a primary concern for homeowners. Likewise, if you have gas-powered heaters or furnaces for your HVAC system, it’s necessary to conduct a safety check.
As HVAC systems run continuously for too long without any checks, they become prone to malfunctioning and can have damaged parts too. In such a case, you’re risking your safety if you don’t conduct a safety inspection.
During safety checks, the technicians usually turn off the power and gas supplies to the systems and check for any safety hazards in the system. They look for leakages in vents, damaged parts, and smooth airflow to ensure that there is no pressure buildup inside the building.
Likewise, safety checks also include cleaning and checking for dirt and debris.
Checking for Soundproofing
HVAC systems are quite noisy, so you may want your HVAC installation service to check HVAC soundproofing thoroughly. Most HVAC services also offer HVAC sound dampening services to reduce the noise that you receive from HVAC ducts.
Moreover, there are several solutions for HVAC duct soundproofing that you can add to your HVAC system during a scheduled maintenance inspection.
How Long Does it Take for an HVAC Inspection
The duration of HVAC maintenance depends on the type of your air conditioning system. Moreover, if the technicians figure out any repair or replacement jobs, that can take more time too. Generally, it takes at least an hour to conduct a thorough inspection of an HVAC system.
However, if you’re a homeowner, it’s important not to rush your inspection and take as much time as needed.
When to Have an HVAC Inspection
The ideal time to inspect your HVAC system is right before you need it most. For instance, you Secondly, the frequency of inspection is also critical. If you use your air conditioning system rigorously, you might need more than one inspection every year. Typically, standard air conditioners and furnaces must be professionally inspected every year.
Moreover, it’s best to conduct regular tune-ups for your HVAC system every six months. Sometimes, it is needed most during the summer, so conduct an inspection service right before the hot weather starts.
However, the top HVAC installation services take advance bookings, so you must schedule an inspection service beforehand to avoid any delays.
Secondly, the frequency of inspection is critical too. If you use your air conditioning system rigorously, you might need more than one inspection every year. Typically, standard air conditioners and furnaces must be inspected professionally every year.
Moreover, it’s best to conduct regular tune-ups for your HVAC system every six months.
A Typical HVAC Inspection Process
Depending on the situation of your HVAC system, you can expect various processes and testing procedures from your inspection provider. But generally, a standard HVAC inspection process includes the following steps.
- Air filter checks
- Calibration and testing of thermostats
- Fixing and testing electrical connections, wiring, and relay connections
- Equipment condition testing
- Inspection of HVAC installation quality
- Refrigerant pressure test
- Testing clearances and venting
- Testing the starting mechanisms
- Safety equipment control test
- Gas and air pressure test
- Check the coolant level and pressure
- Lubrication quality and levels
- Efficiency and safety checks.
Depending on the HVAC system installation, there can be more or fewer testing procedures. So, it’s best to check what your service provider will do before they start inspecting your system.
How Much Can an Inspection Service Cost
The cost of an inspection service mainly depends on the condition of your HVAC system. HVAC services typically cost between $200 and $500, depending on the region and type of service requested.
This cost may seem a bit too much, and it’s easy to avoid the service considering that your system is working fine. However, saving a few hundred bucks can prove to be too costly, resulting in the replacement of your system, which can cost thousands of dollars.
Can HVAC Inspection Help Save Cost?
HVAC inspection will always save costs. Even though there are small upfront costs, it’s much more affordable than spending hundreds of dollars on replacement parts and bigger repair jobs. An uninspected system will eventually break down.
For instance, HVAC systems can encounter problems like:
- Failed starting capacitors
- Clogged drain lines
- Failed compressors
- Leaked vents
Hence, when you regularly inspect each element of your HVAC system, it helps reduce repair costs, helping you save money in the long run.
Conclusion
HVAC systems must be ideally inspected twice a year. A timely inspection helps save energy and maintenance costs, provides better air quality, and avoids potential safety risks. Moreover, if you use a heating or air conditioning system throughout the year, it’s even better to conduct such inspection services more than twice a year.
