How To Care for Your New HVAC System

If you’ve just invested in a brand new HVAC system, you’re probably looking forward to improved heating and cooling, superior efficiency, quieter operation, and the many other benefits of an updated unit. However, as with any major investment, your HVAC system requires ongoing care to deliver the best results. Explore some important HVAC maintenance tips to keep your HVAC system in top shape year-round.

Why Regular HVAC Maintenance Matters

Regular HVAC maintenance is key to keeping your system running as it should. By performing annual tune-ups, you reduce strain on components, boost energy efficiency, prevent unexpected shutdowns, and extend your HVAC’s lifespan. Maintenance helps homeowners save time, money, and stress while protecting their investment.

How Soon Should You Schedule the First Maintenance Visit After Installation?

Your technician performs an initial HVAC inspection after installation to ensure the system is properly installed and functioning. From here, we suggest having the system professionally maintained at least once a year, ideally in the season before it will be used (AC maintenance in spring, heater maintenance in fall). This ensures the system is ready to run reliably throughout the seasons you’ll be using it daily.

Of course, life sometimes gets in the way, which is why we offer year-round HVAC maintenance for homeowners.

Essential HVAC Maintenance Tips for Indiana Homeowners

With your new HVAC system installed, what are the best maintenance practices for homeowners in Indiana? Here are a few to keep in mind.

Change the air filters

Your air filters protect your system from airborne debris while keeping contaminants out of your indoor air supply. Filters generally need to be changed or cleaned every one to three months, but check your manufacturer’s instructions for more specific guidance.

Clean the coils

Another important task is keeping your AC’s evaporator coils clean. Excess dirt and dust prevent them from working correctly, impacting cooling efficiency and causing further HVAC issues the longer it’s left unchecked.

Clean the outdoor AC unit

Your AC’s outdoor condenser unit can get clogged by dirt, dust, grass clippings, and other debris, forcing the system to work harder and shortening its lifespan. To avoid inefficiency and system damage, carefully clean the outdoor unit annually to ensure proper airflow.

Inspect the ductwork

Clogged ductwork can cause big issues with an otherwise working HVAC system. If your unit seems to be working properly but you’re experiencing weak airflow in the home, clogged ductwork might be the issue. While you can sometimes spot these clogs yourself, you’ll probably need an HVAC maintenance pro to perform a thorough inspection and cleaning.

Calibrate the thermostat

If your thermostat malfunctions due to age, a faulty power connection, or a dirty or damaged sensor, it may affect HVAC efficiency and performance. Have your thermostat cleaned and calibrated at the same time as other HVAC maintenance tasks.

Clear the AC condensate drains

If your air conditioner’s condensate system becomes clogged, it can cause water leaks and damage components. Fortunately, this is a fairly simple task to do yourself, and just requires opening the system and clearing out the drain pan and drain line.

Check the AC refrigerant

The refrigerant cools the air that enters your home from the air conditioner. A leak in the system can dramatically reduce efficiency and cooling performance. Working with refrigerant is hazardous without the right certifications, so leave leak repairs to a professional. 

Get a heating combustion analysis

Furnaces need to combust fuel at a certain efficiency level to be safe and keep costs down. An HVAC pro can conduct a combustion analysis to ensure your furnace isn’t emitting harmful fumes or using too much fuel to operate.

How To Maintain Your HVAC System Year-Round

Here’s how to maintain an HVAC system by season:

• Fall: Get a professional furnace or heating tune-up, including inspection of fuel lines, burners, and heater combustion.
• Winter: Keep an eye on your thermostat to make sure it’s set to an optimal efficiency level and functioning properly. 
• Spring: Get a professional air conditioning tune-up to check refrigerant levels, airflow, condensate drainage, and evaporator coils.
• Summer: Keep your outdoor AC unit free of grass clippings and dust, clean your HVAC duct entrances regularly, and watch for water leaks from your air conditioner.

Keeping up with this simple HVAC maintenance regimen helps you avoid heating and cooling problems, ensures proper climate control all year, and keeps your systems running as efficiently as possible. These HVAC maintenance tips are based on the temperate climate in our Indiana service area, which includes:

• Indianapolis
• Greenwood
• Martinsville
• Nineveh
• Bargersville
• Center Grove

If you’re in an area with a significantly different climate, contact a local HVAC professional for more specific maintenance tips for your region.

Signs Your New HVAC System Needs a Professional Check

If you notice the following signs, it means your HVAC system needs a professional maintenance check:

• Rising energy bills with no change in usage
• Unusual noises while running the HVAC system
• Unpleasant odors from HVAC vents
• Short or long-cycling
• Water or refrigerant leaks
• Hot or cold spots throughout the home
• Weak airflow from HVAC ducts

While you can wait to spot these issues before calling for help, the best way to prevent HVAC issues entirely is with preventative tune-ups. Make regular maintenance easier by joining Dugan’s maintenance program, which includes perks like discounts on repairs, priority service, comprehensive heating and cooling tune-ups, and more.

Keep Your New HVAC System in Top Shape With Dugan Air

Given the cost of a new, high-quality HVAC system, it makes sense to prioritize proactive maintenance and care for your unit. The HVAC maintenance team at Dugan Air has the skills, tools, and experience to keep your unit running at its best, ensuring high efficiency, safe operation, and a comfortable home year-round. Contact us today to schedule HVAC maintenance and experience the Dugan Difference.