While you can perform maintenance any time of year, winter maintenance presents a unique opportunity. Instead of letting your heating system slip to the back of your mind while the snow melts and the weather warms, do final system maintenance now so you can spend spring and summer enjoying your time outside and ensure your HVAC works as designed when need it on a chilly spring day.

By establishing and keeping a regular maintenance schedule and planning for peak use times, you can save money in the long run, identify issues before they worsen, and prevent untimely breakdowns.

Even though Modine’s HVAC technology is designed for efficiency and to last, a detailed inspection of essential parts and components can ensure zero lapses in your indoor comfort. Like a vehicle or a computer, regular maintenance helps you get the most out of your HVAC technology. And any season is the perfect time to do maintenance on your HVAC system.

Check out our recommendations for springing ahead with your winter HVAC maintenance.

Start by assessing your parts and components for the following.

• Disrepair
• Breakage
• Aging, such as fraying, stretching, etc.
• Drainage issues, i.e., standing water, dripping, or signs of water damage
• Restrictions
• Plugged spots
• Loose connections
• A buildup of dirt, dust, and debris

Core components require particular attention to detail for optimal functionality, and we recommend checking those listed below for the above deviations.

Assessing and addressing issues with these core components is the starting point for quality HVAC maintenance. And you can be more comprehensive by downloading Modine’s product-specific maintenance checklists and troubleshooting guides.

FILTER MAINTENANCE: Change your filters as recommended and look for signs of restriction or obstruction. If you don’t replace filters on Modine’s recommended replacement schedule or address restrictions or obstructions, it makes the HVAC system work harder, which uses more energy and can cause a ripple effect, damaging other parts and components.

BELT MAINTENANCE: Assess your belts to ensure they’re in proper alignment and show no signs of disrepair, such as stretching or fraying. When belts age, it can impact the HVAC system by reducing or eliminating airflow, leading to frosting/icing of evaporator coils, and can even cause compressor parts to fail.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENT MAINTENANCE: You can spot electrical component breakdown by discoloration or fraying, but don’t forget to check all connections and tighten any that show signs of loosening. Electrical components are essential to a fully-functional HVAC system, and when these potential issues are not addressed, energy use can soar, and components can fail.

COIL MAINTENANCE: Check indoor (evaporator) and outdoor (condenser) coils for dirt, dust, and debris. Build up of these particulates can cause electrical components, motors, or compressors to malfunction.

DRAIN PAN MAINTENANCE: Include drain pan maintenance in your winter maintenance process. Flush drain pans and traps to clear buildup. Check to make sure water can flow freely through these components. If buildup goes unaddressed, water can damage the HVAC unit or nearby areas in your home or facility. That can add up to thousands of dollars in repairs, depending on the extent of the damage.

Depending on whether you’re a homeowner, facility manager, or contractor, your approach to spring HVAC maintenance may differ.

HOMEOWNERS: We always recommend a trained professional perform routine maintenance on HVAC units. Homeowners should regularly schedule maintenance with an HVAC specialist, especially if they notice any changes in how their HVAC system functions. For example, if you’re noticing a drop in efficiency or a rise in your energy bills from your annual average, it may be time to have your system maintenanced. Of course, more obvious signs like standing water near your HVAC system or an increase in noise levels can tip you off to potential issues. But the signs your HVAC system needs maintenance are not always so obvious, so following a regular maintenance schedule is best.

FACILITY MANAGERS: Facility managers can follow the recommendations above, including utilizing Modine’s product literature to guide the process. Modine also offers service and maintenance plans that include technical support from our HVAC specialists. We also offer toll-free technical support at 1-800-828-4328.

CONTRACTORS: Contractors should think ahead with their clients and reach out now to remind them about the importance of regular maintenance and to schedule a check-up before the warmer seasons. Modine’s Authorized Contractor Program offers a unique opportunity to connect with qualified homeowners for the purchase, installation, and service of HVAC systems.

As mentioned above, HVAC systems can continue to function while parts and components deteriorate. That’s why it’s vital you perform regular maintenance on your HVAC systems. It’s how you keep efficiency high, costs low, and even temperatures in every room.

For top-tier maintenance, check out our technical support. We provide all the details for you so you can enjoy your indoor spaces comfortably.