HVAC Upkeep: Your Definitive HVAC Longevity Guide

Heating and cooling systems, like roofs and concrete, are incredibly important but rarely thought about aspects of daily life. Without them, life as we know it would be way different. 

Many people aren’t aware that your HVAC system works as hard as your car, circulating tons of air through your home so you stay comfortable year-round. As a result of this hard work, your HVAC system needs the proper care and maintenance to reach its full potential and lifespan. 

At EP Templine, we want all the systems we install to last as long as possible, ensuring you get the most out of your money. In this short blog, we’ll give you our ultimate tips for keeping your HVAC system running smoothly for decades! 

A Quick Intro Into Your HVAC Systems 

Before we talk upkeep, it helps to go over the basics of how HVAC works. Heating and cooling can be split into three basic components: source, distribution, and regulation. 

Source simply refers to what exactly produces the warm or cool air you need. In the Southwest, for example, a popular way to cool homes is to use evaporative coolers. The source would be the unit that uses water to send cold, humid air through the house. For warming, the furnace would be considered the source

Distribution is everything that aids in moving the air where it needs to go, AKA your ducts. Ductwork is an even more neglected aspect of HVAC care, which can lead to lost efficiency and potential health problems from dirty air if not regularly maintained. 

Regulation is what regulates both the above systems to produce the desired indoor temperature. Your thermostat plays a huge role in your overall HVAC experience, but can also be a culprit when there are issues. 

For an HVAC technician, the key is to find a balance or harmony between all three parts. It’s like being a conductor for a band—all parts have to be working together for the best results. One instrument off-beat can derail the whole system, which is why we sing the praises of preventative maintenance. 

Structuring Your Maintenance

For residential HVAC, the best way to keep an HVAC system healthy is to develop a partnership between the homeowner and HVAC professionals. Some maintenance tasks and observations can be made by homeowners, while HVAC technicians can handle the rest. 

Tips For The Homeowner  

• Changing the air filter – Your air filter plays a pretty big role in the overall health of your air. A dirty filter could be sending dirt and harmful bacteria through your home, in addition to making your system work harder to circulate air. 
• Checking for leaks and corrosion – Water leaks and corrosion are bad news for your systems. You should regularly give your outdoor and indoor systems a check to make sure all the wiring is intact and there are no puddles underneath them. 
• Cleaning dirt, dust, and debris away – Even though outdoor units are built with the environment in mind, they still work best when they are free of debris. Take a few minutes to clean off dirt, leaves, sticks, and anything else laying on your unit. Also, clean the dust away from your registers as well. 
• Check your furnace flame – The flame in your furnace should be a steady blue. If you have a yellow and/or unsteady flame, it could mean your natural gas isn’t being burnt completely. 
• Stay vigilant for weird noises/smells – HVAC systems can be pretty noisy, but excessive/weird noises and smells can be a sign of major issues. Don’t brush off the signs—call a professional immediately. 

Professional Maintenance: What The Pros Do 

While there’s plenty a homeowner can do to ensure that their systems are in order, the majority of maintenance work needs to be handled by the professionals. When our technicians arrive, they have a complete checklist tailored to your specific system. 

For the heater, exterior and ventilation systems are checked first, as well as the filter. Then the interior is checked, components are cleaned and checked for wear and tear. Think pressure switches, ignition, motors, and other internal elements. 

Finally, the thermostat and other supporting systems will be checked and cleaned to ensure the whole system runs smoothly, efficiently, and safely. 

To maintain the AC system, our technicians check the indoor and outdoor components of the unit, cleaning of debris and checking external and internal components. A few of the points on our checklist include:

• Condensate pump
• Drain line
• Safety Controls
• Electrical Components/Wiring
• Coolant Levels
• Motors/Belts

Again, the supporting infrastructure pieces (ductwork, thermostat, etc.) will be checked as well before giving your system a clean bill of health. 

Given the complexity of modern-day HVAC systems, it takes an experienced, meticulous team to check every component for even the smallest signs of malfunction. For years, EP Temp Line has been the go-to HVAC team for El Paso’s home and business owners. 

Choose EP Temp Line For Your HVAC Maintenance

The HVAC systems in El Paso are some of the hardest working in the country. As a result, you need the best of the best maintaining your systems for optimal performance year-round. 

EP Temp Line is proud to have an amazing staff and excellent reviews from all over the city and would love to keep you comfortable throughout the year. Give us a call to set up an appointment today!