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Spring Safety Series: HVAC maintenance

As the weather warms up, it’s time to perform seasonal maintenance on your building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. At Church Mutual, we have seen many situations in which a simple, routine check could have prevented costly repairs. Here are some steps you should take to keep your buildings’ systems running smoothly.

  1. Change your air filters. Just as your car needs new air filters, so, too, does your building. Air filters remove airborne contaminants such as dust, mold, pollen, dirt and other fibers that could make the people in your building sick. However, a dirty air filter doesn’t perform nearly as well as a clean one.
  2. Check your outside unit. Because your outdoor unit is subject to the elements, it is at risk of being blocked or plugged. Clear away any overgrown vegetation and make sure air can flow freely through the unit.
  3. Adjust your thermostats. It is right in the middle of the time of year when you need to switch from heating to air conditioning. Check your thermostats’ automatic settings to be sure they are still accurate for maximum energy efficiency, and if you live in an area that observes daylight saving time, make sure you have updated the time.
  4. Hire a commercial HVAC technician to perform maintenance on all aspects of your system. This technician should be:
  • Inspecting and lubricating your outdoor fan motor and blades
  • Measuring and recharging your refrigerant level
  • Checking your control box, switches, wiring and safety controls
  • Lubricating or replacing all your belts
  • Cleaning and clearing the evaporator coil, drip pan and condensate lines
  • Testing your safety controls
  • Checking and cleaning your blower assembly
  • Cleaning your combustion blower housing
  • Checking your flue system for dislocations and wear
  1. Test your air conditioner. A 100-degree day is probably the worst time to learn that your air conditioner is faulty. Run it for a day to determine if it needs servicing.
  2. Check your duct system. Cracks, holes and leaky joints can negatively impact your building’s ability to maintain a consistent temperature. Perform a visual inspection and, if there are any concerns, hire a technician to make repairs, even if they’re minor. You should also check for any blocked ducts.
  3. Keep your building clean. This seems obvious, but it’s important to keep your facility clean—especially if you haven’t been using it much. Otherwise, your HVAC system will be recirculating dust and dirt particles.

If you focus on good HVAC maintenance, you’ll save money in the future. For more tips about building maintenance, visit Church Mutual at churchmutual.com.