Your central HVAC system can help your family in so many ways. However, it does need to be taken care of if you are going to get as much from it as possible. If you neglect the system, you can end up with different types of problems, which you can read more about below. Also, this article will go over the maintenance needs of a central HVAC system, which you will be glad to know are very simple in most cases. Here is more on preventative HVAC maintenance: 

You need a clean filter

In order to understand the importance of the filter, you want to learn what purpose it serves and how it works. When you have your central HVAC system on, there will be a return vent where the filter is. The system draws air in through this filter while filtering out different kinds of particles that are in the air. Some examples of these include things like pollen, pet fur, dander, mold spores, and much more. This means clean air will then be heated or cooled, then put back into the house through registers located in the different rooms of the home. If you have a dirty filter, the system works harder to pull air in through it. This can cause damage and excessive wear to the system. It also raises your heating and cooling bills while leaving you with poorer air quality. 

You need a clean area around the housing unit

Outside, there will be a housing unit and this is where the main parts of the HVAC system are housed. There are vents in the housing to allow cool air to help keep the system cooled as it works. You should leave about a few feet around the housing unit free of all clutter. This includes making sure there aren't any weeds, overgrown grass, or bushes located too close to it. This way, the vents don't get blocked and nothing ends up going inside the housing, which could lead to damage. 

A technician should be coming out annually

Another huge part of proper central HVAC maintenance is having the technician come out annually to service and inspect the system. They really should come out before you start using it for that season. This way, you know you aren't causing the system to work if there is something wrong with it, which could make the situation worse. The technician will verify that everything looks good, clean areas that need it, ensure there are no other risks, and leave you with a good working system and peace of mind.