HVAC - Maintenance
An example of one of the old/original HVAC in-unit machines
The HVAC machines (Heat / Ventilator / Air Conditioner) within our units are owned by each unit owner. As such, unit owners are responsible for their HVAC annual maintenance.
Aside is a photo of a typical and original HVAC machine at Hudson Park. The red arrow in the photo shows you the location of your machine’s serial number and Model TRM number which would be required in the event of replacement parts: if your system ever shows a red warning light on the wall control panel.
SEE: HVAC problems (regarding replacement HVAC coils)
Please note: that the in-unit HVAC system, and how it works, is not the responsibility of the Property Management Staff. Each machine belongs to the unit owner.
IMPORTANT RISK AVOIDANCE
Change filters (see section below) about every 3 months – perhaps less often if you have no pets or are often away.
Reason: Excess particles could fall from the surface of dirty filters onto the coils and from there to the drain below, causing the drain to block up. This means that the moisture can’t drain and so the drain begins to back-up and then overflow;possibly creating a slow but insidious leak. The drain can only be reached if a technician pulls out the machine from the wall. The drain should be checked annually.
During the annual service, the system should be vacuumed; the filter changed; the inner workings pulled out (but not completely) to access the drain; the drain cleaned and tested with fresh water, and finally the front panel put back into place. Servicing must be done by a registered HVAC technician.
ALSO IMPORTANT TO KNOW
The unit below you could receive any slow-drip water damage caused by a blocked drain in your unit: damage can happen over time in both units if gone unnoticed. A check on the overflow back-up mechanism is done to ensure that if there were any excess condensation, the mechanism would operate to shut the HVAC down so that water would not seep out of the water pan at the bottom of the HVAC.
To keep the system operating efficiently, use a high-quality *filter and change often. (Best not to use the flat, fiberglass filters as the ridged (zig-zag) filters are much better.)
Chances are that your HVAC filter is not a standard size. If so, you can buy a pack and tape two filters together (see segment below). You could, within reason, tape the filter to the outer edges of the space in which it sits to keep it (them) securely in place.
When away from your unit for a considerable length of time, you might want to turn off the HVAC at the thermostat: But in cold weather, or when it's hot and humid you would want to leave the thermostat at an appropriate setting that would prevent any damage to your home and contents.
ANNUAL SERVICE
Once a year is the best schedule for your in-unit HVAC maintenance/check-up. Ideally Spring or Fall: just after the building switches between air conditioning and heating.
Grouping together with other residents might secure you a saving on the bill.
As mentioned above, the HVAC machines within each unit (residence) are entirely the responsibility of the unit owner. The Property Management Company staff can not advise or assist.
FILTERS
A (communication committee) volunteer has provided notes and photographs from their own process to place a good quality filter in their unit HVAC:
1. Buy two 16”x20”x1” filters to make up a 32”x20”x1” filter. (If indeed this is the measurement of your machine aperture.) Filters are available widely from home hardware stores and departments. We replace frequently and pay about $10 each.
2. Tape the two filters together lengthwise on both sides - we use masking tape - to make a 32x20 filter. Make sure airflow is in the same direction (arrow on the side).
This is our grill to be covered and fitted with the filters:
3. Fit the taped filter positioned over the fan unit (grill) face - has to completely cover the air inlet surface, but doesn’t need to entirely cover the space inside the metal frame. Tack in with masking tape. *Airflow holds it strongly in place when the fan is running.
N.B. The filter size in units will vary. Please measure the aperture of your space to cover the grill.
If you think your vents are not pushing out heating/cooling
A resident tells us that when the maintenance technician called to do the annual inspection: “I asked about the noise and it became evident that the two living room vents had some type of paper in them; the one in the bedroom was fine. The air flow had pushed papers along the ducts to collect at the vents (thereby partly blocking the air passage and also creating a noise.) The papers were left over from the original installation.”
Written by residents for residents