| Amid the concerns of daily life, most of us aren't | | | | In forced air systems, HVAC technicians will |
| quick to dwell on such prosaic matters as the | | | | maintain the blower by lubricating its axel, cleaning |
| health of our home's HVAC system. But if we | | | | its fan blades, vacuuming the dust from around |
| expect our HVAC systems to keep heating and | | | | the motor and checking to see if the blower |
| cooling our homes and not suddenly saddle us | | | | motor is overloaded. The technician will also |
| with a huge repair bill, we have to keep them as | | | | inspect the blower's fan belts for slackness or |
| well maintained as we keep our automobiles. To | | | | fraying. After inspecting the blower, the technician |
| prevent HVAC repairs, seeking HVAC | | | | will make sure that the ductwork in the heated |
| maintenance from a reputable HVAC servicing | | | | area remains properly sealed and that ductwork in |
| provider on a regular basis is the key to keeping | | | | non-heated areas remains properly insulated. For |
| your HVAC elements in the maintenance phase | | | | hot water systems, the technician will drain the |
| and out of the repair phase. Below, we list some | | | | expansion tank, clean and lubricate the circulating |
| HVAC elements that require regular maintenance | | | | pump and bleed the air out of the radiators. |
| and exactly what that maintenance consists of. | | | | Ducts |
| Heating Equipment | | | | 80 percent of American homes contain extensive |
| Heat pumps, boilers and oil-fired furnaces require a | | | | ductwork that snakes through ceilings walls and |
| yearly maintenance check, while cleaner operating | | | | floors, creating an efficient way to deliver instant |
| gas fired equipment requires a check up every | | | | heating or cooling. But as innocuous and problem |
| other year. But in each case, an HVAC servicing | | | | free as ductwork might seem, it can serve as a |
| company will inspect for leaks, dirty filters, rust, | | | | repository for dust that, when it combines with a |
| soot and corroded electrical contacts, cleaning and | | | | little moisture, creates a breeding ground for |
| replacing parts as necessary. In forced air and hot | | | | dangerous molds and bacteria. While air filters do a |
| water boiler systems, the technician will also | | | | good job of preventing dust from reentering the |
| inspect ductwork or pipes, blowers or pumps, | | | | air, they don't always collect the microscopic mold |
| registers or radiators, as well as the fuel line, gas | | | | particles and bacteria that can breed in uncleanly |
| meter and oil tank where applicable. The technician | | | | air return ducts. In addition to improving your |
| will also inspect furnace, heat pump or boiler parts | | | | health, having an HVAC technician perform an air |
| to check for excessive wear and corrosion. Finally, | | | | duct cleaning can also lengthen the life span of |
| the technician will check for sufficient draft using | | | | your furnace by cutting down on the dust that |
| smoke pencils and check carbon monoxide levels. | | | | collects amid its inner workings. |
| Blowers | | | | |