Regular Maintenance Helps Prevent HVAC Failure, NoVA Contractor Says

WOODBRIDGE, VA — As the owner of heating and air conditioning contractor Indoor Air Quality Medics, Dario Compain has seen one of the most common concerns from homeowners be if their HVAC system is going to fail. But Compain says maintenance and other strategies can go a long way to keep the system running well during cold winter months — and prolong the life of HVAC systems.

"We've seen where systems that are not maintained regularly can fail at eight years, which for a lot of manufacturers, is still within the warranty period," Compain told Patch. "However, if there's a lack of maintenance, it's just like, you know, a vehicle, you've got to maintain it, or it's going to fail on you. Systems that do get maintained properly, typically are going to last 15 to 20 years."

Compain's award-winning Woodbridge company, Indoor Air Quality Medics, covers the Northern Virginia region as far west as Leesburg. While mostly focusing on heating and air conditioning service, it added plumbing and plans to expand to electrical service in the future.

"We do have a unique area that we live in where we get very hot and humid in the summer, and we do get cold and dry in the winter," said Compain. "We don't get as cold as like a Green Bay, Wisconsin, but we still do get pretty cold, and we do dip down into single digits from time to time. And heat pump systems in particular can begin to struggle when the temperatures dip below 32 degrees."

As Northern Virginia continues through the cold winter months, Compain shared with Patch ways that homeowners can maintain their heating system and looked ahead to the warmer season.

Customers often worry about the energy efficiency and costs of running their HVAC systems, especially as they run longer when temperatures get colder. Homeowners, especially with electrical systems, may sometimes find the heating season produces the most expensive months of the year. Compain says heat pump systems running on electric may create extra expense when they can't heat as colder outdoor temperatures. That extra cost comes from the backup electric heat in the indoor unit running.

"It's very important to maintain the cleanliness of the system through a maintenance plan, making sure you stay on top of your filters and also don't have great temperature swings with your thermostat throughout the day," said Compain.

Overall, he says modern HVAC equipment is usually efficient and can produce high levels of heat at low utility costs, even in single-digit temperatures.

One everyday cost-saving tip is to avoid changing the thermostat too many degrees up or down when away from home.

"It's okay to kick it back a degree or two, but you don't want to kick it back 10 degrees, because you'll spend all the money you saved, plus some recovering that temperature," said Compain.

Some customers may opt to have a maintenance agreement with a company like IAQ Medics. Those regular maintenance checks can identify "nuisance issues" that may cause an HVAC system to later break down at an unexpected time.

"I think some of the biggest misconceptions that people have is that preventive maintenance on HVAC systems is not necessary," said Compain. "They're thinking that because they change their filter every month, that that's good enough and that that's all they need to do, when the reality is, it's not just the filter."

For example, technicians can check if the system's electrical circuitry is snug to ensure there aren't spikes in electrical energy or heat that could cause a system failure. Along with preventative maintenance, Compain says technicians will check air flow on different equipment.

Just as important as the indoor filter is keeping the outdoor unit clean. Compain says dust and debris can get caught in the unit's coil, and he recommends cleaning it at least once a year or twice, depending on the unit's run time.

Another air conditioning maintenance check is ensuring drain lines are routinely cleaned. The air conditioning evaporation process causes water to drain through the line, and clogs sometimes come up.

During the heating season, indoor air quality and dryness can be common concerns. In cases of dust, mold and mildew affecting the HVAC system, Compain says his staff can address the issues with ultraviolet germicidal lamps, which provides enhanced filtration to reduce mold spores and mold counts throughout the home.

In cases of dry air, one of the recommended tips is keeping a humidifier on the system during the heating season.

"Because it does get so dry, having a humidifier on the system, which deals with indoor air quality, is a very important thing to have," said Compain. "It's a great product that by adding moisture in the air, you're allowing more heat retention within the home, so it can feel more like a warm, cozy pillow when you walk into your home."

In the summer, Compain says there are often concerns about systems failing around July 4 due to a spike in temperatures.

"If you've got a regular maintenance agreement or something with a company — hopefully it's ours if you're in Northern Virginia — we'll come in before that day comes," said Compain.

That means "doing a regular preventive maintenance on the system and making sure that if there's any potential nuisance issues that could end up having a breakdown at the worst time possible, we can generally catch it, advise you of it, let you know what's going on, and then provide you with a solution."

Compain says homeowners have sometimes contacted Indoor Air Quality Medics after other companies couldn't figure out an HVAC problem or resolve it. Some factors he says homeowners should look for in an HVAC servicer include a rigorous training program for technicians, responsiveness to clients, and staffing levels to quickly assist during urgent cases. Compain says IAQ Medics continues to offer same-day service for breakdowns.

"When there's one man crews out there, they're great for the upfront costs, keeping that low for you," said Compain. However, in the event that you do have an issue, it could be days or weeks before they get out to your house, and that's where you need to have a company that's got a staffing capable to get to you in real time, because air conditioning equipment and heating equipment, it breaks when it breaks. It doesn't always break Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. sometimes it's in the evening, sometimes it's on the weekend."

For more information, visit iaqmedics.com.

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