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Maximizing Your Home’s Comfort: A Complete HVAC Service Guide


Posted On July 29, 2024

In Fort Collins, temperatures generally range between 19°F and 87°F throughout the year. While the temperature rarely goes over 96°F or under 3°F, you’ll still need a solid heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to keep your home comfortable during every season.

Like any kind of machinery, HVAC units must be properly maintained and repaired. Otherwise, they’re more likely to break. When this happens, our HVAC professionals can help you determine the best repairs, installations, and replacements for your home. 

If you want to maximize your home’s comfort, read on.

Why You Need Proper HVAC Maintenance and Repairs 

Your HVAC system is a finely tuned machine that’s designed to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. When it isn’t working properly, you end up spending more on repair costs and energy bills. Because of this, HVAC maintenance isn’t something you should neglect. 

With proper HVAC maintenance and timely repairs, you can enjoy some of the following benefits.

  • Boost your HVAC system’s longevity.
  • Avoid voiding your warranty.
  • Enhance your home’s air quality.
  • Prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
  • Reduce the number of hot or cold spots in your home.
  • Enjoy a more comfortable home.
  • Decrease your energy bills.
  • Prevent the hassle of emergency repairs.

What Are the Parts of Your HVAC System? 

Before we dive into some maintenance, repair, and installation recommendations, it’s a good idea to understand how the different parts of your HVAC system work together. In general, most homes are equipped with furnaces, central air conditioners, ductless mini-splits, or heat pumps.

Central Air Conditioners 

Central air conditioners are designed with an indoor unit, outdoor unit, and ductwork. If any of these components isn’t working, your AC will struggle to cool the air to the desired temperature. You may notice frequent cycling, warm air, weird noises, or unusual smells. 

Furnaces 

A furnace generates heat for your building using an energy source, like gas or electricity. Then, the heated air is sent into your rooms using a network of ducts or pipes. 

Heat Pumps 

Like an air conditioner, heat pumps are able to transfer heat from one space to another. Each one consists of an indoor air handler and an outdoor unit. Unlike an air conditioner, a heat pump is capable of both heating and cooling your home. 

Ductless Mini-Splits

If you don’t already have ducts installed, ductless mini-splits are a good idea. They can be set up in individual rooms and don’t require ductwork. Additionally, these units are ideal if you want zone control or only need to cool part of your home.

Maximize Your Home’s Comfort With the Best HVAC Services

If you want to ensure a comfortable, energy-efficient home, you need to have the best HVAC maintenance and repairs. Depending on the type of HVAC system you have set up, your maintenance and repair needs can vary. In addition to maintaining your system, we can help you plan ahead for future installations and replacements.

Read on to learn more about the best HVAC tips for your home.

Protect Your System With HVAC Repairs

Even with the best maintenance, your HVAC system can sometimes break down. Whether you need AC repair or furnace repair, our team can help. We can also perform a heat pump assessment to figure out if there are any damaged, worn, or faulty parts in your heat pump. 

5 Signs You Need HVAC Repairs 

If you notice any of the following signs, you may need professional HVAC repairs. 

  • Odd Scents: While sweet smells generally indicate leaky refrigerant, burning smells often stem from a faulty electrical component. If you notice the smell of rotten eggs, there may be a natural gas leak. 
  • Unusual Noises: Screeching, humming, clicking, hissing, and banging noises are all signs you may need your air conditioner or furnace checked out.
  • Inconsistent Temperatures: If your unit heats or cools your home inconsistently, there may be an underlying issue. 
  • Frequent Cycling: Frequent cycling is when the unit kicks on more often than it is supposed to. This happens if your HVAC system is struggling to maintain the indoor temperature. 
  • Higher Energy Bills: When your energy bills suddenly increase for no apparent reason, your HVAC system could be to blame. You may also want to check your gas boiler to make sure it’s working properly.

What Are the Most Common HVAC Repairs? 

The most common HVAC repairs can vary from system to system. For example, the repair options you use for an electric wall heater are different from the ones used for a swamp cooler. The following list includes some of the most frequent repairs we see in residential and commercial heating and cooling systems

  • Clogged filters 
  • Pilot light issues
  • Electrical problems, like blown fuses and tripped breakers
  • Faulty thermostats
  • Refrigerant leaks
  • Dirty evaporator and condenser coils
  • Water leaks
  • Leaky ductwork 
  • Blower problems

Improve Efficiency With HVAC Maintenance 

Image of a Hooley Heating & Air technician helping a Fort Collins customer with their heat pump maintenance

While an HVAC technician can handle a great deal of your maintenance requirements, it’s still important to be proactive about taking care of your heating and cooling system. If you notice unusual sounds or other signs of a problem, you should call one of our team members to get the problem diagnosed and repaired. 

What Happens During an HVAC Tune-Up?

During a tune-up, an HVAC technician will look for any indications of wear and tear. They will see if there are leaks or any issues that could cause the unit to malfunction. If repairs are needed, we’ll clearly explain the problem and our repair recommendations. 

When Should You Get HVAC Maintenance Performed? 

During an HVAC tune-up, the technician will perform some of the following services. 

  • Inspection: One of our technicians will look at your heat exchanger, compressor, thermostat, vents, electrical components, and other parts to see if there are any problems. 
  • Ductwork: We’ll inspect the ductwork for blockages and remove any issues.
  • Refrigerant: Our team will see if there are refrigerant leaks or if it needs to be recharged.
  • Electrical Connections: A technician will tighten the electrical connections and look for potential hazards. 
  • Unit Cleaning: We will clean any debris, dust, or dirt from the condenser and evaporator coils.
  • Part Lubrication: To prevent friction, we’ll lubricate the parts. 
  • Air Filters: To keep your furnace working properly, we can replace the air filters. 
  • Thermostats: One of our HVAC technicians will calibrate your thermostat and make sure it’s getting accurate readings. 

When Should You Get HVAC Maintenance Performed?

The best time to schedule your AC maintenance is in springtime. Ideally, you should get your AC checked out before the weather heats up. 

Furnaces should be inspected at least once a year to ensure that they’re working properly. You’ll typically want to get your furnace maintenance taken care of in the fall before the weather becomes cold. 

Some of the furnace maintenance tasks can vary based on whether you have a natural gas, electric, oil, or propane furnace. While natural gas furnaces tend to be the most common, electric furnaces are generally the most affordable. 

At the minimum, ductless mini-splits and heat pumps need one inspection a year. However, you’ll have better results by getting them checked out before each heating and cooling season begins. Ductless mini-splits and heat pump maintenance should generally take place in the spring and fall.

HVAC Installations: Energy-Efficient Ways to Heat and Cool Your Home 

Whether you want a high-efficiency AC installation or a new heat pump, we can handle all types of HVAC installations.

The Installation Process 

Once you decide what kind of AC, heat pump, or furnace installation you want, our team will arrange for an initial consultation. 

  • Initial Consultation: First, we’ll look at your home layout. We’ll carefully figure out the heating and cooling capacity you need as well as your ductwork requirements. We can also discuss any financing options you may need. We’ll give you a free estimate after the consultation, so you can figure out which HVAC services are right for you. 
  • Ductwork Fabrication: If you’re getting ductwork installation services, we’ll fabricate the ducts using top-of-the-line materials. 
  • Installation: On installation day, we’ll bring the HVAC equipment to your home to get it set up. If you have an old furnace or AC, we can remove it from your home and haul it away. 
  • Inspection: After we install your new HVAC unit or ductwork, we’ll inspect it for proper seals. We’ll make sure all of the electrical and mechanical components are working properly. 
  • Performance Testing: Once our initial inspection is done, we’ll do a final test to make sure everything is functioning correctly. 
  • Final Recommendations: Before we leave, we can give you recommendations about future tune-ups, air quality improvements, and maintenance tips. 

How Long Does an Installation Take? 

In general, most installations only take a few hours to complete. Even the longest installations normally only take a day or so. If you also need ductwork installation, the process may take one to four days. It all depends on how large your home is and how much ductwork you need. 

Get HVAC Replacements for Faulty Units 

From time to time, you may need a heater or air conditioner replacement. Even with the best HVAC maintenance and repairs, your furnace or AC unit will eventually break down. When that happens, we offer a seamless, fast installation process.

What Types of HVAC Installations Are Available? 

Whether you need a furnace replacement or a heat pump replacement, our HVAC technicians are here to help. We can consult with you about which type of HVAC unit will work best in your home. Below are some of the most popular HVAC units available. 

  • Ductless mini-splits
  • Electric furnaces 
  • Central air conditioners 
  • Gas furnaces 
  • High-efficiency furnaces 
  • Electric wall heaters 

6 Signs You Need an HVAC Replacement? 

You may need an HVAC replacement if you notice the following symptoms:

  • Your HVAC system is making weird noises or unusual scents. 
  • The unit is at least 15 years old. 
  • You’re repairing it more frequently. 
  • The electricity bill is higher, but you haven’t changed anything.
  • Your home’s air quality has decreased. 
  • There are hot and cold spots in your home.

How Long Does Each Part of Your HVAC System Last? 

With proper care, you can expect your HVAC system to last for many years. The longevity can vary based on which type of HVAC unit you have. 

  • Central Air Conditioner: The average AC lasts 12 to 17 years. However, breakdowns will often occur more frequently after the 10-year mark.
  • Furnace: A typical furnace can last 15 to 20 years.
  • Heat Pump: Most heat pumps last 10 to 15 years, but some can last up to 20 to 25 years.
  • Ductless Mini-Splits: While ductless mini-splits can last up to 20 years, you may see a decline in the unit’s efficiency after 10 to 15 years. 

How Can I Improve My Indoor Air Quality? 

At Hooley Heating & Air Conditioning, we can help Fort Collins and nearby areas’ residents improve the air quality in their homes and businesses. The right air quality measures depend on the issue you’re dealing with. For example, you may want air purifiers, central humidifiers, or a whole-home humidifier

What Can You Do to Keep Your HVAC System Running Its Best? 

To prevent HVAC repair and installation costs, there are a few things you can do to maintain your HVAC system. 

  • Change the filter every 30 to 90 days, depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines. 
  • Remove debris and plants that are within 2 to 3 feet of the outside unit. 
  • Clean the condensate drain line.
  • Insulate your home better. If less heat is transferred to and from your house, your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard.
  • Wash vents with warm, soapy water. 
  • Use a garden hose to clean the condenser coils.
  • Install a smart thermostat so that your HVAC system can use less power.
  • Seal your ducts.

Discover More Information About HVAC Maintenance

Thanks to our years of experience, we’ve developed a strong reputation among Fort Collins homeowners and business owners. From special promotions to free estimates, we strive to keep our prices as reasonable as possible. We can help with all of your HVAC replacement, repair, installation, and maintenance needs. 

To learn more about how Hooley Heating & Air Conditioning can improve your HVAC system, reach out to our experienced team members today.

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