DIY maintenance Archives - Richmonds Air Houston

How To Get Your Furnace or Home Heater Winter-Ready

October 19, 2021 by Richmond’s Air

While the temperatures may still be mild and comfortable in Houston, Texas, we’ve already begun the transition into fall. As winter approaches, now is the time to make sure that your home heating system is in good working order.

Before you turn your furnace on full force this winter, ensure that it’s functioning properly by taking a look at these simple maintenance tips and checklists below.

Furnace system maintenance checklist

Check all of your safety devices. Your switches should be in good working order and all covers should be in place.
Check your thermostat.
Is your pilot light still good? Your flame should be blue, not yellow.
Check your burners for condensation, debris, dust and soot.
Inspect the quality of your gas line. Do you notice any cracks, leaks or other visible damage?
Check your heat exchanger for cracks and damage.
Check for any loose or disconnected wires.
Ensure your belt isn’t worn, and replace it if so.
Listen to your machine for any components that could need lubrication.
Change your air filter.

In addition to this checklist, here are 3 other steps you should consider before turning on your furnace this fall:

Remove combustibles from the reach of your furnace. This might sound like a no-brainer, but anything that can catch fire shouldn’t be stored near your furnace. The same goes for your stove, oven and chimney as well.
If your home has a humidifier, change the water panel. At least once per season, you should change the water panel on your whole house humidifier. This is especially true during the winter months. To get the best out of your humidifier, make sure that the water panel is changed in early fall.
Change the batteries in your CO2 detector. Once a year, you should replace the batteries in your CO2 detector. This task doesn’t have to be done in the fall necessarily, but it wouldn’t hurt to add it to your checklist.

Basic air conditioning maintenance

While it may seem silly, your home’s air conditioning system also needs maintenance before it shuts down over winter. Below is a checklist for shutting down your air conditioner for the season:

Shut off the power.
Use a soft brush and vacuum to clean your compressor.
Vacuum away the dirt and dust build-up from the outer fins.
Make sure all fins are straight and clean.
Replace the air filter.
Turn the unit back on.

You should also perform basic maintenance to your ducts and thermostat as well, including:

Inspect for leaks and ensure that sections are connected properly with no gaps
Clean and check the registers
Schedule a professional duct cleaning
Ensure the battery in your thermostat is working properly
Test your controls for functionality and check the calibration
Inspect all wires, buttons and knobs. Any that are damaged or nonfunctional should be replaced.

Once you’ve completed these basic furnace and air conditioning maintenance checks, consider reaching out to an experienced HVAC tech at Richmond’s Air for professional assistance if you have concerns or questions.

Should You Cover an Outdoor Air Conditioning Unit in the Winter?

Do I Need To Cover My AC in the Winter?

AC covers often create more problems than they solve. Our Houston HVAC experts explain the dangers and give smart tips to prep your AC for colder temps.

Learn more

HVAC Parts 101: Air Filter

September 11, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

If you live in a home or apartment with a central air conditioning system, or even just drive a car, you’ve probably had to change an air filter at some point. Air filters help trap dust and other allergens from being circulated back into your home’s breathable air.

Let’s take a look at how air filters function and how you can keep your air filter doing its job for as long as possible.

How an Air Filter Works

Air filters, though simple, actually do quite a lot. They’re usually made from spun fiberglass set between a cardboard frame. Filters helps keep your air cleaner by filtering the dirty air that is sucked through it by the HVAC unit.

The fiberglass or other material traps particles and allergens that can make their way into your home. These particles can include:

Dust
Pollen
Animal fur
Mold spores
Bacteria

When spring cleaning your AC, don’t forget your air filter—it needs to be changed because it’s constantly trapping dust and particles while your system is running.

Maintaining Your Filter

A dirty air filter will not only allow allergens and other particles to stay in your home’s air, but it can also restrict the free air flow from your HVAC unit. This can significantly cut down on your unit’s efficiency and raise energy bills.

Luckily, maintaining your air filter is as easy as cleaning or replacing it. An HVAC air filter should be checked every month and either cleaned or changed. A good rule of thumb is to hold the filter up to the light. If you cannot see light passing through the filter, it’s time for a new one.

Common Air Filter Problems

There are a number of problems that can stem from a clogged air filter. If you notice frozen evaporator coils or your unit isn’t cooling as well as it should, it could all be caused by a dirty filter that just needs to be changed.

Understanding your HVAC equipment can help you identify potential problems in their early stages, saving you time and money later on. Contact the Spring AC repair specialists at Richmond’s Air today if you need to speak to a professional technician.

5 Tips on Prepping Your Air Conditioner for Spring & Summer

June 5, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

After winter has hit and done its damage, the time comes to prepare your air conditioning unit for the warmer weather ahead. Seasonal maintenance is important for keeping your indoor air quality as clean as possible in the allergy-laden months ahead.

Here are a few tips to make sure your air conditioner is ready for the warmer weather.

Tip #1. Remove outdoor covers

If you covered your air conditioner during the winter months, be sure to take the covers off as soon as the weather warms up. Keeping them on could cause damage to your system.

Tip #2. Check your enclosure panels and coils

Check to make sure your air conditioner is in good working condition and without damage. Additionally, clear any debris away from your condenser coils to make sure they can run properly.

Tip #3. Change the filter

Dirty air filters are the leading cause of sub-par indoor air quality. At the first sign of spring weather, change your filter and keep changing it every month.

Tip #4. Clean your ducts

Dirt, pet hair or other debris can keep air ducts from functioning to their full potential. Use a vacuum cleaner or a brush to clear your ducts of any blockages.

Tip #5. Schedule a maintenance appointment

At the beginning of spring, it’s important to schedule a routine maintenance appointment with a trusted air conditioner professional to make sure that all of the parts are working as they should.

If you’re ready to get your air conditioning system ready for spring and summer, contact one of Richmond’s Air’s professionals. We offer both comprehensive repair and maintenance services to fit your needs. Contact our Houston offices to schedule an appointment today.

3 Ways to Protect Your HVAC System From Storms

May 29, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

Spring can bring a lot of stormy weather to the Houston area, so it’s a good idea to be prepared. Along with having an emergency kit and making sure your house is sealed up, there are also things you can do to protect your HVAC system.

Storm damage to your HVAC system can cause long-term problems if it isn’t dealt with immediately or prevented altogether. Here are three ways you can protect your HVAC system from storms before they hit:

Put away loose objects – One of the biggest culprits of storm damage is wind. It would take an extremely strong wind to actually blow over your outside unit, but it’s very common for it to get damaged by flying debris (bikes, toys, gardening tools, outdoor furniture, etc.). Make sure you put all of those things in your garage or shed or somewhere they can’t get caught by the wind.
Cover outdoor unit – To prevent anything from getting into and destroying your condenser, it’s a good idea to turn it off and put a tight cover over it during a storm. If heavy rain is in the forecast, it can flood your outdoor system.
Install hail guards – If there’s a potential for large hail, we recommend installing hail guards on your outside unit to prevent major damage.

Once the storm has passed, there are a few things you can check for to make sure your system is good to go. One of the most important things to look for is loose or disconnected electrical wires, which can be very dangerous to you and your HVAC system.

If there’s any concern about the condition of your Houston system, contact an HVAC professional at Richmond’s Air to come look for damage and do any necessary repairs. Our team of licensed, experienced technicians serves the metro-Houston area, so if you live in Houston, Katy, Spring or surrounding areas, give us a call today.

Turning On Your Furnace: Where to Start

February 6, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

Your furnace has been sitting idle for several months, but now it’s frigid out and you’re ready to flip on the heat. You cross your fingers and wonder, “Will it work?”

It’s a good idea to take some simple steps before booting up your residential heater to make sure it doesn’t leave you stuck in the cold.

How long since your heating unit was last checked?
Don’t get stuck out in the cold!

At Richmond’s Air, we’ve been doing heating and furnace repairs right since 2002. Our work is 100% guaranteed by a 1-year parts and labor warranty on repairs.

Houston Heating & Repair Service

Here are six DIY maintenance checks to perform on your HVAC system this winter:

Inspect the system. Walk around your home and attic, checking for:
- Loose connections in your ductwork
- Signs of residue build-up on your furnace
- Problems with your chimney vent
- Cracks or heavy wear on your blower belt
Change air filters. Air filters should be changed out at least every 3 months, but it’s a good idea to put new ones in before you start up your furnace.
Check registers and vents. Inspect all of your air registers and return vents to make sure there is no debris or other blockage obstructing air flow.
Clean air ducts. Dust and debris can quickly build up in your ductwork, which can dramatically affect air flow throughout your house. Your air ducts should be cleaned regularly to avoid this and any contaminants from getting into your air. This particular task can be tricky, so don’t be afraid to call an expert for help.
Vacuum accessible areas. Take the hose and brush on your vacuum and use it to gently clean any areas of your furnace that are easy to access. This will help eliminate some particles and contaminants from getting into your furnace and the circulating air.
Consider purchasing a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide (CO) is not detectable with any of your senses, so the only way you can tell if the toxic gas is present in your home is to install a CO detector. Adding this feature will help ensure your home and family stays safe this winter.

When you turn on your furnace, don’t be surprised if there’s a burning smell for the first few minutes. This is common as your system may need to burn off some dust that’s collected over the summer, but the smell should stop pretty quickly.

If it doesn’t, it’s time to call an HVAC technician!

Taking the time to perform these small preventative measures each year can keep you from paying for costly repairs later. It’s also a good idea to have a tune-up on your HVAC system at the start of every winter so that an expert can look for any possible problems.

Further reading: What To Do If Your Home Heater Doesn’t Turn On