HVAC Maintenance  
Guide for DIYers 
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By Gene’s Heating And Air 

Courtesy by; ​www.genesheatingandair.com 

 
  

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1 Table of Content 
1 Table of Content 2 

2 Getting to Know Your HVAC System 2 

2.1 INTRODUCTION 2 
2.2 How It Works 4 
2.2.1 Heating 4 
2.2.2 Ventilation System 5 
2.2.3 Cooling 6 
2.3 Why HVAC Maintenance Is Important 7 

3 HVAC Problems and Resolutions 7 

3.1 Common Issues that Cause Problems 8 
3.2 Preventative vs. Corrective Maintenance 9 
3.2.1 Basic Maintenance and Care 10 
3.2.2 Seasonal Care 12 
3.2.2.1 Winter Care 12 
3.2.2.2 Spring Care 13 

2 Getting to Know Your HVAC System 

2.1 INTRODUCTION 

Proper maintenance of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems can
significantly reduce costs, improve comfort levels, and extend equipment life. Despite all
that, many peo- ple fail to even perform a simple check a couple times a year, just to
make sure everything is working right.
  

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HVAC components and systems require a little attention every so often, just to avoid the
perfor- mance degradation that is a constant problem.

More than comfort, though, a lot of people are worried about the rising costs of energy.
Even without increasing fuel costs, a normal HVAC system is already responsible for half
of the average home energy bill. With no appar- ent respite from these increasing costs,
a few simple maintenance procedures can help you control the amount of energy you use
while still keeping the house nice and comfortable. 
  

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2.2 How It Works 

There are a lot of components in a modern HVAC system (over a hundred, easily), but
the basics behind how they work hasn't really changed in decades. It’s all about pushing
and pulling air from one place to the other in order to create the most comfort- able
indoor environment. And once you understand a little more about how it works, you’ll
be able to identify any problems (or potential problems) a lot easier. 

2.2.1 Heating 
There can be a lot of variation in heating systems. Some homes use gas while others use
oil, but whatever the fuel or heating element, the goal is the same: draw cool air in
  

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through the ductwork, heat it, and then return it into the home at the de- sired
temperature.

There are two basic types of heaters. One uses a heat pump, and the other makes use of a
furnace and central air system. The heat pump is generally considered more efficient
than furnaces that are used for the same basic job, but the furnace/ centralized system
will probably last longer.

There are also some hybrid systems that can determine the temperatures at which it will
be the most economical to use the heat pump or the furnace and switches between the
two as necessary. 

 
2.2.2 Ventilation System 

 
  

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This includes the return and supply vents, ductwork, fillers, and circulation fans. The fan
pulls air from inside the house through the return vents and then, in a forced air system,
sends it back out once it has run over the heating element or cooling components.

2.2.3 Cooling 
 

 
 
Most HVAC systems are “split systems,” which means they have both an outdoor
compressor/condenser and an indoor evapora- tor coil. The two halves are connected by
copper tubing, through which the refrigerant runs. 

The refrigerant is a chemical that can go from liquid to gaseous states even at moderate
temperatures. It begins the cooling pro- cess in the compressor side of the system as a
cool, low-pres- sure gas. The compressor’s job is to compact the refrigerant into a hot,
high-pressured gas, which is then sent through the condenser where it turns into a
cooler, high-pressure liquid as the fan blows the excess heat away from the home.
  

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Once that is done, the refrigerant is seeped into the indoor evaporator coil where it can
expand once again, reducing the pressure on it and, simultaneously, bringing the
boiling point back down. This turns the liquid back into a gas, which absorbs the heat
from the air around it. This air, that is now much cool- er, is pushed into the home by
the fan. Then, the low-pressure gas heads back to the compressor to start the process
all over again. 

2.3 Why HVAC Maintenance Is Important 

Understanding a little more about the ins and outs of your HVAC system will help you
perform the necessary maintenance and spot any potential problems. As you keep up
with those mainte- nance requirements and carefully manage your system, you’ll start
to see a lot of benefits, including:
  

● Lower energy bills 

● Longer equipment life
● Cleaner, healthier air
● Less energy usage
● Fewer major repairs (which also leads to more savings)

 
 
 
 
 
 
3 HVAC Problems and Resolutions 
  

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There are more than 100 components in an average HVAC system, and each has
varying levels of impact on your energy usage and comfort levels. So while some
things are minor and may not require much attention, others will need a little more
vigilance.

3.1 Common Issues that Cause Problems 

● Obstructions in the tubes – If anything at all gets into the chiller tube, it can
reduce the efficiency of the heat trans- fer. Anything from small microbes to
larger formations of scale or iron deposits can be problematic. It doesn’t take
much to make the heat transfer so inefficient that your energy costs and
consumption begin to rise.

Use a water treatment program or other professional tube cleaning services to

clear out the problem.

● Leaks in the compressor – The low-pressure chiller can develop leaks, which
reduces the airflow through the unit. The worst case scenario is that this leads to
air collect-ing on the condenser, displacing the refrigerant. This will make it
harder to get the correct and consistent tempera- ture and pressure.

You need to take the time to check your compressors and test them for leaks at
least once a season.

● Inefficient refrigerant levels – Too much or too little re-frigerant can easily
reduce the efficiency.

Double check the refrigerant levels and make sure they match the
manufacturer’s recommendations.

● Impaired condenser flow rate – Damaged or clogged valves and nozzles can
hinder the flow rate of the air and refrigerant.

Keep an eye on the condenser flow and, if you can deter- mine the cause of the
impairment, remove it and then retest the flow rate to make sure there isn’t
anything else going on in there.
  

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● Flakey thermostat – A thermostat that is set to run when the house is

unoccupied, or one that is incapable of cy- cling on and off at the proper intervals,
can increase your bills and strain your HVAC system.

Keep an eye on the thermostat. If it has auto settings, make sure it is set to more
efficient levels when no one is occupying the home. Any wiring on resistor problems
will likely require a professional to fix it.

● Sensor problems – If your sensors are calibrated wrong, or simply don’t work,
you will have difficulty finding the right settings that keep you comfortable.

The solution is simple. Check your sensors regularly. Re- place or repair them if
necessary.

● Airflow obstructions – If you have airflow problems, you may have some blockage
at some point in the ventilation.

You can measure the airflow and compare it to the stan- dard levels. If they are weak
or insufficient, take steps to clear any obstructions.

● Dirty filters – One of the simplest maintenance jobs – and the one that is just as
easy to overlook – is replacing a dirty filter. Your filters need to be changed
regularly to keep everything performing at peak efficiency.

A clean air filter improves air quality in both the winter and summer, when your HVAC
system is in constant use. Change them regularly. Exactly how often depends on a
number of factors, so at the very least you should check the level of buildup every
month.

3.2 Preventative vs. Corrective Maintenance 

 
  

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It only takes one major repair for most people to realize that there really is something to
this preventative maintenance that people keep talking about. This is a particularly hard
lesson when the climate outside has turned harsh and your HVAC system isn’t
performing well (or at all). When the temperature outside has dropped below freezing,
that is the absolute worst time to find out you need a new furnace.

Take the time to focus on preventative maintenance throughout your home, and your
system will be more reliable throughout the years. This isn’t a difficult task, and simply
involves a few activities that you perform at regular intervals. Watch for certain
indicators to determine if something needs a little extra atten- tion.

● Pay attention to the system startup characteristics

● Be aware of any strange smells
● Listen for abnormal noises
● Keep an eye on the gas pressure
● Double check the ventilation
● Watch the temperature sensor to ensure the system is cycling on and off properly

3.2.1 Basic Maintenance and Care  

 
  

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There are several basic activities that you can perform to avoid some of the common
HVAC problems. These are some simple maintenance procedures that anyone can do
and can help extend the life of your equipment.
  
1. Change the filter every month
2. Remove leaves and debris from the outdoor con- densers
3. Clean the fan blades every season
4. Cut back any growth around the outdoor equipment
5. Lubricate any moving parts
6. Clean the indoor evaporator coil
7. Tighten all electrical connections
8. Double check the thermostat settings
9. Check the controls for responsiveness
10. Inspect fan blades for damage or misalignment
11. Monitor the starting cycle of all equipment
12.Check the condensation drain
13.Change the thermostat batteries
14.Make sure the right breakers and switches are on
15.Check the ductwork for obstructions or leaks
  

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16.Clear the grills and registers

 

 
3.2.2 Seasonal Care 

 
Some maintenance activities are particularly important during certain seasons or are
only necessary at specific times during the year. When the weather starts to change,
make sure you take care of your HVAC system and treat them appropriately.

3.2.2.1 Winter Care 

 
When the temperatures start to drop, you need to make sure
  

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the heater is ready to do some hard work and the air conditioner is properly bundled up
for a few months of inactivity. This could include:
 
1. Cover the AC unit
2. Replace filters
3. Inspect the belts and replace if needed
4. ​Lubricate all motors or other moving parts
5. ​Blow out the condensate drain and clean the pan – a re- stricted drain opening
can cause a lot of problems for your equipment
6. Inspect the heat exchanger and burner assembly
7. ​Check the gas or oil connections – make sure they are secure and that there are
no leaks (or potential leaks)
8. Make sure the furnace flame is burning properly 

3.2.2.2 Spring Care 

 
Now that it’s time to dust off the AC controls and counter the on- coming summer heat,
there are a few more things you need to do. (Though you may note that some of these
activities are the same as those you did in the winter.)

1. ​Uncover the AC unit

2. ​Replace filters
3. ​Blow out the condensate drain and clean the pan
4. ​Wash the condenser coil
5. Inspect the compressor 
6. Make sure there is no refrigerant leaking 
7. Check all the electrical connections 
8. Inspect and replace any degraded belts 
9. Clean the evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils 
10. Clean and adjust the blower components