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HVAC Maintenance (“PM”) - The Truth

Do you really need the “preventative maintenance (pm)” that HVAC companies are selling you?

The short answer is Yes.

We’ll explain why in this article, and provide helpful guidance to make sure you are getting your monies worth from your HVAC contractor and preventative maintenance.

This maintenance can help prevent your system from breaking unexpectedly, and make them last longer!

For a “Split System” Furnace and Air Conditioner, here is what preventative maintenance should look like from your HVAC vendor:

Furnace

1. Change the furnace filter at approximately these intervals. (This can be a DIY item).

   1. Note: how often you need to change these filters really does vary on the conditions of your home, and the MERV rating (Higher rating = easier to clog) of your filters. We’d recommend logging how often your filters get dirty. Typical intervals are as follows for MERV 8 filters:

      1. 1 inch thick filters - 1-3 months

      2. 2 inch thick filters - 2-4 months

      3. 4-6 inch thick filters - 6-12 months

2. Check gas pressure being fed to the furnace, adjust as needed. Too much gas pressure can cause overheating furnaces.

3. Analyze the exhaust gas for Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and temperature (combustion analysis), draft pressure, oxygen content.

4. Analyze the duct pressures and temperatures at several locations along air pathway (past filter, coil).

5. Visually inspect for duct air leakage.

6. Check blower motor capacitor micro ferret capacity.

7. Check blower and inducer motor amperage draw, and draft pressures.

8. Clean the flame sensor.

9. Check ignitor resistance.

10. Clean the interior of the furnace.

11. Check for condensate leaks or other moisture issues within the furnace.

12. Tighten up all connections, both electrical, plumbing, and housing.

13. Check blower wheel cleanliness, clean as needed.

Air Conditioner

1. Clean the condenser coil fins (This can be a DIY item - see link below for a how to).

2. Check the high and low refrigerant pressures and temperatures.

3. Analyze the AC temperatures before and after the furnace.

4. Analyze the air flow temperature before and after the condenser.

5. Analyze the air temperatures coming out of vents within the home.

6. Clean the interior A-coil.

7. Check condensate pump operation.

8. Check overflow kill switch operation.

9. Check A-coil drip pan for leaks and corrosion.

10. Check capacitor operation.

11. Check compressor amperage draw.

How do you make sure you are getting quality preventative maintenance?

1. Trust but Verify

   1. Watch them perform the maintenance, and ask questions.

   2. Or - After your HVAC vendor leaves, check these things:

      1. Furnace

         1. Is the filter new?

         2. Has a label been added or updated to reflect the maintenance which was completed?

      2. Air Conditioner

         1. Are the condenser fins clean?

2. The Cost

   1. You should expect to pay $200-250 to have both your furnace and air conditioner checked.

      1. Note that you can usually only do both together in early spring or early fall.

   2. These checks are usually done at different times of the year (furnace when you start running it (fall), and air conditioner when you start running it (spring).

   3. Done separately we’d expect these service checks to start at $150 each.

3. Timing and Interval

   1. Do you need to do all the checks above every month - NO.

   2. Should you have each system checked once a year - Yes, IF you are changing the furnace filter.

   3. If you are also up for cleaning the Air Conditioner condenser coil fins (easy - see here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1PH64KuLvMY ) - You can probably have each system checked every 2 years, maybe 3.

   4. The longer you wait, the more likely you may have an issue (think no AC, yikes)

4. The Report

   1. You should get a filled out checklist of some kind indicating that all of the items listed above have been completed.

   2. Show your vendor the list above, and ask them if they do all of these things.

Enjoy this newsletter? Forward to your fellow serious homeowners!

DIY Appliance Repairs? - The Parts Shops

It has never been easier to diagnose and repair your appliances.

Within minutes, you can usually search and find a video online walking you through why your appliance is broken, and step by step instructions on how to replace the offending part.

Now, all you need to know is what part to buy and where. Here are our favorite online appliance parts shops. Shipping costs are fairly similar across all three shops.

1. PartsDr - Great diagrams to help you find your specific appliance in their system. Great photos, and a simple website design.

2. Appliance Parts Pros - Many of the diagnostic guides you may need are right here on this site. Find the problem, and buy the part all in one place.

3. Repair Clinic - Currently offering a 10% off your first order deal. Endless videos, diagrams and manuals for repairing most appliances.

The content of this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial decisions. There are no sponsors of this newsletter.