How to Prevent Costly HVAC Repairs

One of the easiest ways to get the most out of your HVAC components is to adhere to a regular maintenance schedule. In addition to saving money on repairs, you’ll also likely cut down on your heating and cooling costs. Let’s take a look at what you can do to avoid potentially costly furnace, heat pump or air conditioner repairs.

Visually Inspect Your HVAC Components

Whenever you are in the basement, make it a point to look at your furnace to check for cracks or other obvious signs of damage. If you are outside, look at your air conditioner’s compressor unit to see if a blade is cracked or if there are other issues that might need to be resolved by a professional. In the event that you notice anything that needs to be fixed, call the folks at Bash Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in Champaign. A technician may be able to repair an air conditioner or furnace before a simple problem becomes a larger one.

Check Your Furnace Running Time

If you notice that your furnace is running for hours at a time, there could be a problem with the thermostat. It is also possible that a dirty air filter or dirty ducts are preventing enough warm air from getting to various rooms in your home. Changing an air filter or wiping down your furnace can be an easy way to fix the problem without spending a lot of time or money.

Alternatively, you may notice that your furnace isn’t going through a full cycle before it shuts off. This could also indicate that there is an issue with the thermostat. In some cases, simply changing the thermostat’s temperature setting can fix the issue.

You may also want to try placing it in a spot that doesn’t receive too much or too little sunlight. It isn’t uncommon for excess sun or excess shade to trick a thermostat into thinking that it’s warmer or colder than it really is in your house.

Keep Your Home at a Reasonable Temperature

During the winter, it is a good idea to keep your home’s temperature at 70 degrees or less. An exception can be made during periods of exceptionally cold weather when it can be acceptable to set your thermostat to 75 degrees. By keeping your home at a reasonable temperature, your furnace won’t have to work so hard during the winter months. This can help to maximize the efficiency and the useful life of this component.

During the summer months, you should aim to use your air conditioner as little as possible. Ideally, you’ll open a window at night or use a fan to keep a room cool when it isn’t extremely hot and humid outside. If you notice condensation or frozen coolant near the condenser unit, have a professional diagnose the source of the problem as quickly as possible. This could be a sign that there is a problem with the line running from the unit to the house.