Are You Damaging Your HVAC System?

While you may not always think about it, your HVAC system is a sensitive machine that needs to be properly cared for in order to function properly. Repairs can be expensive, so you’ll want to read on to find out what if there is anything that you are doing that might actually be damaging your system!

Renovating Your Home

If you have decided to renovate your home, then you know that it’s a lot of work and organisation. There’s so much to think about during renovations, that it’s not unusual to forget something such as your HVAC system. However, your HVAC system does need a little extra protection due to the amount of dirt and debris present during the renovation, in addition to any physical damage it could suffer if it’s not considered during the planning phase.

Whether you’re doing the renovating yourself or dealing with a contractor, it’s important that you consult with a HVAC professional to prep your system correctly. You’ll need to consider your duct placements or current HVAC layout before you start planning. If you’re doing work in a room where there are vents, then you’ll need to cover them to avoid dust particles and debris from entering and damaging your HVAC system. Finally, remember that it’s best to turn off your system to avoid any dust and debris from being circulated throughout the house.

Turning Your Thermostat Down Could Damage Your Furnace

Another thing that people do that inadvertently damages the furnace is lowering the thermostat when they go on vacation. While it’s common for people to lower their thermostat when they leave for a while in an attempt to save on energy and expenses, it’s actually not all that good for the furnace. You not only risk damaging the furnace, but it could also void your warranty! Furnaces are designed for continuous or intermittent return air temperature of minimum of 15 ºC to 12ºC. Return air is the cold air in your home which returns to the furnace to be heated and pushed back out. Keeping the thermostat at a lower temperature while you’re out of town will affect your furnace’s heat exchangers, motors, and controls. Operating at a lower temperature could damage your furnace and often voids your warranty, which you most definitely want if the furnace does break down. For more information on your warranty, you should contact your manufacturer.

Placing Your HVAC System in the Wrong Room

Furnace rooms are often one of the most neglected rooms in your house. However, you should be careful with where and how you position your furnace. Not only do furnaces need proper ventilation, you’ll also need space to allow maintenance and cleaning. You should also avoid keeping unnecessary items in the same room, since clutter could interfere with your furnace. If you do not have a separate room for your furnace and need to use it for storage, then you should definitely avoid anything touching the furnace. Having things too close to your furnace is a fire hazard because of the warmth; it could also block airflow and ventilation. Do not place a kitty litter box next to it, as the fumes from it can damage the heat exchanger in addition to circulating the odour through your home. The same goes for cleaning products or combustibles such as gasoline or paint. Finally, you should keep the area around the furnace clean, and vacuum frequently to prevent dust build-up.

Avoid any accidental damage to your HVAC system by paying attention to these three details: how to take care of it during renovations, avoiding turning the thermostat down too often, and where to place it in your home!