How a Typical Maintenance Checklist should Look Like

We dutifully keep a grocery list or a to-do list but for something that accounts for more than its fair share on our expense list, we simply leave on the back burner. Making a maintenance checklist spares your wallet and also avoids much confusion. With regular maintenance you can curb problems when small and ensure optimal performance of your HVAC system.

Here goes the checklist,

Check Thermostat Settings - The thermostat controls both the heating and cooling systems of homes with central heat and air conditioning. It detects the temperature of the room and compares it to the desired temperature setting. Set the thermostat at least 5 degrees higher or lower than your normal setting, depending on the season. Set it 5 degrees higher than normal during summer and 5 degrees lower during winter.

Inspect Electrical Connections - Measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components.

Lubricate Moving Parts - Oiling all moving parts can prolong the life of your HVAC system. Parts that are not lubricated may wear out faster leading to repairs. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in this regard.

Check Condensate Drain - A plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode).

Clean Evaporator and Condenser Air Conditioning Coils - Over time the surfaces of these coils can become dirty as the air moving through the coils can contain dust, moisture and other contaminants. Clean coils save your utility bills; while, dirty coils consume more electricity.

Clean and Adjust Blower Components – Proper airflow reduces your system's efficiency up to 15 percent. So, keep a watch on the blower components always!

Check Gas (or oil) Connections, Gas Pressure, Burner Combustion and Heat Exchanger - Routine furnace maintenance and cleaning don’t require special skills. Just a few basic hand tools can do it for you. Improper gas (or oil) connections or cracked heat exchanger can make the equipment less safer and efficient.

Seal your Heating and Cooling Ducts - You would be shocked at how much heating and cooling escapes through your ductwork before it ever flows through your vents.

Clean/Replace your Air Filter Regularly - A dirty filter can increase energy costs leading to early failure. If you are using it more, check your filter every month as a dirty filter can slow down air flow wasting energy.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector - A furnace that is out of adjustment can leave CO in your home, this device can help protect from CO poisoning 

Over half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a critical impact on your utility bills and your comfort. Take that first step to protect yourself, your loved ones and to secure your home.