Time for Fall HVAC Maintenance!
Fall is here, and the changing colors around Charlottesville aren't the only wonderful thing about it. Comfortably cool temperatures mean your HVAC system gets a break, and that translates to gloriously low energy bills. It also makes fall the perfect time for seasonal maintenance on your HVAC equipment.
Fitch Services will ensure your heat is raring to go when you need it and will check your cooling system to make sure your HVAC investment is protected throughout the winter months until the warm weather returns.
Even if you think your HVAC system is functioning well, a seasonal maintenance visit can prevent problems from arising when temperatures plummet. That's also the time HVAC technicians are in high demand and hard to schedule.
Energy Star recommends HVAC technicians follow these steps in a typical maintenance check-up:
- Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating systems are functioning optimally. A properly functioning thermostat helps keep you and your family comfortable at home and saves energy when you're away.
- Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components.
- Lubricate all moving parts. A lack of lubrication causes friction in motors and increases the amount of electricity you use. That translates to a higher bill.
- Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). Blocked drains cause water damage and higher than optimal indoor humidity.
- Check system controls to ensure proper and safe operation. Make sure the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly.
Heating Specific
- Check all gas (or oil) connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger. Improperly operating gas (or oil) connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger causes improper burner operation. Either can cause the equipment to operate less safely and efficiently.
Actions for Homeowners
- Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump. Your contractor can show you how to do this. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, leading to early failure.
Also recommended by HVAC professionals:
- Clean the outside unit of dirt and debris. If you use water, make sure to cut power to the unit.
- Clear brush, weeds, and branches in a four-foot area around the outside unit
- Cover the outside unit with plastic or a tarp. Complete this only after the unit has undergone maintenance, and secure the cover with rope or bungee cords.
Cooling Specific
- Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce the system's ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
- Check your central air conditioner's refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant will make your system less efficient, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
- Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system's efficiency by up to 15 percent.
Contact Us Today for HVAC Maintenance
The HVAC professionals at Fitch Services handle it all for you and service every brand. Prepare your HVAC system to function well all winter with seasonal maintenance. Call 434-296-9980 to schedule an appointment today.
Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash
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Real Reviews from Your Charlottesville Neighbors
See All ReviewsJulie D. (Charlottesville, VA)I can’t say enough good things!! We had an emergency, no AC during the 113+ heat wave on a Friday holiday afternoon (worst timing!!!). I called multiple companies and only Fitch called me back.
Larry was fantastic!! He kept me informed as to when he anticipated getting to us, and called when on his way, and showed up when he said he would.
He was, again, fantastic! Explained the issue and promptly fixed it. Our house was literally 98 degrees. Everything is running smoothly!
And, for an emergency call late on a Friday afternoon, the cost was incredibly reasonable.
I highly HIGHLY recommend their services. We now have them on speed dial and will absolutely be using them again for our needs, even for other services they offer we have yet to use.
Again, thank you Larry & Fitch Services from us and our pups - for being there when we needed you most and delivering exceptional customer service. 5 stars for sure!
Barbara M. (Charlottesville, VA)I am proud to say I have been a client of Fitch Services since they began. My family has always received courteous and timely service for plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and electrical issues. They have installed and maintain a whole house generator. That was a fantastic decision. I use their annual maintenance plans for all of my systems. I personally recommend Fitch Services.
John K. (Charlottesville, VA)I knew of Fitch Services and their technicians via my place of employment. The technician's honest and forthright approach to their work was very much appreciated... They were initially contacted to come to our residence to address a clogged kitchen sink drain line. It was suggested to us we replace the drain line instead of snaking it. When the old drain line was cut out and shown to me, it was amazing anything had gotten through that line! Glad we chose to replace it... We also inquired about replacing/updating all the galvanized supply lines in our home. The scope of the work needed and how it would be done was discussed to make sure we understood... We appreciated the honest assessment of how the project might or would go. While the technicians were on our project, they kept us updated with daily conversations towards the end of their working day. The finished project has been great! We were excited to finally have full flow of the hot water! Fitch is now our 'go to' plumber.
Tom P. (Charlottesville, VA)I've used Fitch for a few years now for both electrical and plumbing work. They are professional and do a great job on things both big and small. Twice we have had pretty huge jobs and they have come in under budget. Plus, the service technicians are friendly and work hard and the office staff communicates very well. Definitely recommend!
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