How often do you clean your home? Once a day? Twice a week? It’s safe to assume that it varies from one home to the next. More often than not, regardless of how frequently you are cleaning your home, homeowners fail to inspect and clean their heating and air conditioning systems on a consistent basis.
When many of an HVAC’s parts are out of sight, it can be easy to unintentionally neglect a system that impacts every room in your home. Your Cedar Hill air heating and air conditioning system is designed to filter out nasty things, but without proper maintenance, it cannot properly do its job. Over time these harmful particles are recirculated in your home and pose a threat to you and your family.
To schedule an HVAC system cleaning, give Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling and Heating a call at 469-518-4211.
Continue reading for more information on HVAC maintenance.
5 Harmful Things Lurking In Your HVAC
When working properly, an HVAC system pulls harmful items and moisture out of your home’s air and traps them in the filter. When filters become clogged, or as parts fail over time, it opens the door for these harmful items to be redistributed throughout your home.
1. Mold and Mildew
Failure to remove moisture from the air creates the perfect opportunity for mold and mildew to grow in your ductwork. Mold thrives in a high moisture environment and can rapidly develop into a major issue. Residents that are young, elderly or suffer from asthma are particularly susceptible.
The presence of mold and mildew is often discovered by the distinct smell that it creates. Although the issue can be isolated to a single room, you should contact a professional for indoor air quality services.
2. Bacteria and Viruses
Texas homes that are equipped with central heat and air, often see their system running non-stop during peak seasons. This causes contaminants such as bacteria and viruses to constantly circulate.
Connected ductwork means that pathogens that are in one room are quickly distributed to all parts of the house. Even if a sick family member is isolated from the rest of the residents, there is a good chance that those germs are still being spread to others in the home. In the HVAC world, we refer to this as Sick Building Syndrome.
3. Chemicals and Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs)
One of the more commonly overlooked issues is the presence of chemicals, or VOCs, that are brought into the home. These compounds exist in everyday items such as office equipment, cleaning supplies, paint, carpet, cigarette smoke and more.
Low concentrations of these irritants are generally not harmful. Large concentrations can develop if your heating and air conditioning unit is failing to remove the particulates from the air via the air filter.
4. Pollution
We often think of our homes as a way to escape pollution. This is particularly important for residents living in a city. However, it is common for pollutants to enter the home through your HVAC system.
Typically, this occurs when the wrong type of system is installed in your home. Systems that are designed to work in rural areas pull in fresh country air from outside. Having this type of equipment in a city environment will bring harmful elements, such as smog, into your home. During HVAC installation, rely on trustworthy professionals to set up your home for success.
5. Dust and Dander
Pet owners know that the struggle with keeping pet hair and dander at bay is real. Air filters that are designed for those with fur babies can dramatically impact air quality in your home. Over time, as these become clogged, debris will be sucked into your system as the air tries to find the path of least resistance.
Residents that are susceptible to allergies or asthma are at a higher risk as these harmful particles are circulated throughout the home. Using a quality air filter, and changing it frequently, will go a long way to keep dust and dander under control.
With a variety of harmful things that can be circulated by your HVAC, regular cleaning and maintenance should be near the top of every homeowner’s priorities.
HVAC Maintenance
The list above is not meant to scare homeowners into action, rather make them aware of the importance of properly maintaining their Cedar Hill heating and air conditioning system. Taking a two-fold approach will save time and money, while also preventing a potential emergency HVAC
problem.
Replacing Air Filters
The overwhelming majority of repairs that the Dial One Plumbing, Cooling and Heating team encounters is preventable through changing out the air filter on your HVAC system. Maintaining a clean air filter in your system is the easiest way for homeowners to extend the lifespan of their unit.
Choose quality air filters that are specifically designed for issues your home might encounter. Relative humidity in your area, pet ownership and more should be taken into consideration when choosing a filter. When in doubt, consult with the HVAC specialist in your area to choose the best option for your home.
Regular Maintenance
There are a number of risks associated with performing DIY work on your furnace or air conditioner. Whether you are in need of repairs or general maintenance, your best option is to work with a local, licensed technician in your area.
Some manufacturer warranties require homeowners to regularly maintain their heating and cooling systems. A trained professional will be able to diagnose and resolve any issues that your system might be experiencing.
Ductwork Cleaning
Getting your ductwork inspected and cleaned by a professional every 2 to 3 years will keep your system running smoothly. Avoid DIY options such as inexpensive vacuums as they do not provide the needed suction power that commercial-grade equipment can provide.
Finding a Cedar Hill HVAC Technician
Understanding the risks that are associated with a faulty HVAC is important for any homeowner. Equally important is having a team that has your back when maintenance or repairs are needed.
The Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling and Heating team is ready to help homeowners in the Cedar Hill, TX area. Having worked with homeowners in the Dallas area for over 50 years, we understand the unique challenges that North Texas homes face. From regular HVAC maintenance to plumbing emergencies, our team is ready to assist 24/7.
Connect with our team at 469-240-5618 or visit Dial1Plumbing.com to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed plumbers today.
Author Bio:
Sherrie Johnson-Hartsock
Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating is now owned and operated by Sherrie Johnson-Hartsock, with his grandson, Daniel Johnson, a third-generation plumber who is also the Service Manager.