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Grinding, Squealing and Screeching: Interpreting the Noises Your HVAC Makes

If something is failing or going amiss with your HVAC unit, chances are, your HVAC unit is letting you know something is not quite right. However, most of the cues come in the form of sounds that many of us may overlook. If you hear your HVAC unit grinding, squealing, screeching or squeaking, it is letting you know it needs help. I was unaware of these cues and overlooked them. It ended up costing me a lot of money in repairs. I want to make sure that does not happen to other people, so I made this website. I hope you learn how to interpret the noises your HVAC unit is making so you can get it the repairs it needs before you incur a costly repair, or worse, permanently ruin your unit for good.

Grinding, Squealing and Screeching: Interpreting the Noises Your HVAC Makes

Maintaining Your Air Conditioner For Longevity: Tips For You

by Billie Carlson

When you are a homeowner, you want to do everything you can to avoid having major appliances or other components of your home break down and need to be replaced. Your air conditioner is chief among those appliances that you want to keep running as well as possible for as long as possible. In order to ensure this happens, get to know some of the steps that you can take to maintain your air conditioner all year long. Then you can be sure that you are doing everything in your power to keep your air conditioner running well.

Change Your Filters Frequently

A dirty air filter can do a great deal of damage to your entire HVAC system, both your air conditioning and heating. The dust, dirt, and debris that accumulate on the air filter can have a negative impact on your indoor air quality. It can even get into your vents or you air conditioning unit itself causing clogs, corrosion, and other damage.

Because of all of these factors, it is important that you make it a point to change your HVAC air filters on a regular and frequent basis. Generally, you want to change your filters once every two to three months at minimum and sometimes more frequently if your home and/or your HVAC system is older rather than brand new. 

Clean and Repair Your Outdoor Air Conditioning Unit

At least twice a year, at the beginning of the summer season and again in the early fall, you should head outdoors and take care of the outdoor air conditioning unit in your home.  The standing air conditioning unit outside is susceptible to damage from storms and the elements.

The first step to take is turn off the power. Then check the unit for any signs of damage. If the cover over the fan is broken or the unit appears dented or damaged, or, worse yet, you see exposed wires, you should call for air conditioning services as soon as possible to repair the damages.

If everything appears in working order, the next step is to clean the outdoor air conditioning unit. Remove and clear away any debris from on or around your air conditioning unit. Use a damp rag to clean off the grate or mesh covering the fan and the exterior of the unit. Then, you can use a garden hose to spray out the fan itself. It is a good idea to also wipe down the fan blades after you spray them down to ensure that they are clean. If this is your fall cleanup when you will not be using your air conditioner again for several months, you will want to let the unit dry for several hours and then secure a durable cover over it to prevent winter damage.

Now that you know a few of the steps that you can and should take to maintain your air conditioner in hopes of improving its longevity, you can get started taking proper care of your HVAC system as soon as possible.

For information on AC installation, check it out or do an online search. 

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