How often should you service your HVAC system? Professionals recommend twice a year – once in the spring to check the air conditioner before temperatures rise, and once in the fall to check the heating system before the weather turns cold.

Keeping up with this bi-annual maintenance schedule can pay off with continued efficiency and energy savings. While there will likely be a service cost when a technician visits, routine upkeep can ward off the major problems that can put a dent in church finances.

What You Can Do

Here are a few spring cleaning tips that can help you clean up and maintain your HVAC system before summer arrives:

• Take winter coverings off.
• Check for ants and mice, and any signs that an animal might have sought shelter inside the unit.
• Trim bushes around outdoor units to allow at least two feet between the plant and the machine.
• Remove leaves and debris from inside the unit’s top grille.
• Make sure insulation around the refrigerant line going into the building is intact.
• Examine pipes for rust or erosion. Contact professionals if you find signs of wear.

Another way to make sure your unit is working at peak efficiency is to check for any obstacles that might make the system work harder. Do this by:

• Keeping downspouts and gutters clear to allow proper drainage. This stops condensation from soaking into the building.
• Making sure drainage from the downspouts is carried away from your foundation walls.
• Replacing window and door seals and weather stripping if necessary.
• Caulking around doors and windows where there are air leaks.

Finally, remember to replace your air filter monthly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and slow down your syste

This entry was posted on November 27, 2014 at 12:45 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Posted in Church Safety by Scott Stuart Comments Off on When Was The Last Time You Cheked your HVAC System?