Boost Efficiency and Reliability With This Comprehensive HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Nothing beats a maintenance sweep done by a professional HVAC technician. That being said, anyone can do a few simple checks.

For an HVAC maintenance checklist, scroll down to the bottom of this article.

For a deeper understanding of what you or your staff can handle with respect to HVAC maintenance, read through this article to guarantee your systems are running smoothly between maintenance appointments with your HVAC professionals.

HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Filter Changes

While air filters are easy to inspect and change out, avoiding this step can disrupt your whole HVAC system. Too much dust and debris trapped in your filter will make your system work harder by restricting airflow. The rule of thumb is to change your filters every 3 months, though there’s no harm in checking more regularly.

Visual Inspections

Regularly checking your system gets you more comfortable with what you’re looking for, and you’ll easier be able to see if something looks out of the ordinary, i.e., leaks, damage, dirt, clogged vents, disconnected pipes, strange noises, smells or vibrations.

During your inspection, you'll want to ensure your system has a clearance of about three feet, which will also help with airflow and will reduce the risk of overheating and potentially fire.

If you notice anything out of the ordinary, then it’s time to call your professional HVAC technician.

Clean Drainage Lines

HVAC systems naturally form condensation, which needs to be funnelled out of the building to avoid structural damage. These drain lines lead to an external collection tray, where it will evaporate naturally. If this tray isn’t keeping up with the flow of water from the system, it can start to grow mould or algae, and it can overflow and cause structural damage.

To avoid this, ensure drainage lines are not blocked, and the drainage tray isn’t overflowing.

Re-Calibrate Your System

We recommend doing this twice a year as the weather changes; before the winter and then again before the summer. Part of this also includes changing your thermostat presets if you have a smart system. Staying on top of this schedule will help with energy and cost savings, as energy requirements differ between seasons.

There are some questions you can ask yourself to help you with these calibrations: are your business's shift schedules different as the seasons change? Is there a section of your building that remains unused during a part of the year?

It may seem like a small change to make, but switching your system schedule right away will avoid having your system work overtime to reach the set temperature.

Clean Evaporator & Condensor Coils

These components in the AC unit will need to be cleaned as they are exposed to unfiltered air, making them susceptible to mould, fungi and dirt. This debris will stick and interfere with their efficiency. For this reason, the coils should be cleaned once a year.

This task is a little more advanced than the rest of the list, so it is not uncommon for many commercial properties to leave this step to their HVAC professionals.

Preventative Maintenance

Preventative maintenance is the most cost-effective way to increase the performance and life expectancy of your system while avoiding expensive breakdowns and repairs.

MEP Services Group offers preventative maintenance plans to help transition your system between seasons, as well as offer you the peace of mind that your system is running with uninterrupted performance.

Checklist

o?? Change filter

o?? 3-foot clearance around unit

o?? No leaks

o?? Damage-free

o?? Unit is free from dirt and rust

o?? vents are clear

o?? Pipes are connected

o?? No strange noises, smells, or vibrations

o?? Drainage lines are free from blockages

o?? Collection tray is free from mold/algae and overflow

o?? Recalibrate system (bi-annually)

o?? Clean evaporator and condenser coils