Tampa landlords must prioritize their HVAC maintenance checklist to ensure tenant comfort. They also must avoid costly repairs and comply with Florida housing laws. Florida law requires landlords to maintain AC units if in the lease agreement. However, landlords in Tampa face specific challenges in managing HVAC systems.
Tampa’s hot and humid climate strains HVAC systems. As a result, landlords must check their units more often.
Fairway Heating and Cooling’s experts will provide a comprehensive HVAC maintenance checklist for Tampa landlords. With our list, landlords can keep their property’s systems working properly.
What Is Professional HVAC Maintenance?
As a landlord, you must understand what professional maintenance involves. This helps you determine what types of maintenance are outside of your scope.
Professional HVAC maintenance includes evaluating and servicing your air conditioner, heater, and ventilation system. Regular inspections help replace what’s broken and clean what’s dirty. More so, maintenance keeps systems functioning optimally.
A professional maintenance checklist often includes the following:
- Changing air filters
- Sealing any leaks
- Checking system controls
- Cleaning evaporator and condenser coils
- Refilling refrigerant
- Calibrating the thermostat
- Inspecting condensate drain
- Cleaning and adjusting blower components
- Adjusting thermostat settings
- Testing electrical connections
- Lubricating moving parts
What Maintenance Checks Should Tampa Landlords Perform?
Biannual HVAC Maintenance Checklist
As a landlord, some HVAC maintenance must occur regularly due to Tampa’s climate. They must perform checks at least twice per year. Ideally, landlords should check tenant units between seasons.
The following is Fairway’s HVAC maintenance checklist for Tampa landlords:
Change Air Filters
During the summer, dirt, and debris may build up in tenants’ air filters, building up airborne contaminants. Change AC air filters regularly to prevent this problem. Clogged filters reduce the AC system’s airflow, compromising its performance. As a result, your tenants will be uncomfortable in their homes.
Inspect the Thermostat
Check the thermostat to ensure it works correctly between seasons. This prevents overheating or excessive cooling. Replace batteries if needed. Occasionally, it may require re-calibration. Both issues will affect the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Check Indoor Vent Airflow
Check the home’s vents for reduced airflow. Clogged vents reduce HVAC efficiency. Inspect and clear obstructions to maintain adequate airflow. If there is little airflow, contact an HVAC professional.
The limited flow can result from leaky ducts, blocked condensers, or low refrigerant. Only a qualified professional should handle those issues.
Clean Evaporator Coils
Evaporator coils remove heat from the air. You can find the coils in the indoor unit’s air handler. Dirty coils decrease system performance. Cleaning them helps maintain AC efficiency. You can clean them with a coil cleaner from the local hardware store.
If you are not comfortable doing this independently, hire a professional. Evaporator coils are delicate. So, improper coil cleaning can cause damage.
Inspect Condensate Drain
Condensate drains remove excess moisture draining from your evaporator coils. Then, the liquid transfers from the condensate drain pan to an outdoor drain. If the coils are dirty, the drain may become clogged and overflow. Leaving this problem unresolved can result in more severe leaks within your home.
Therefore, taking the time to inspect them every spring is paramount to your AC’s health. Contact an HVAC expert to address leaks.
Clean HVAC Outdoor Unit
It is ideal for cleaning the indoor unit between seasons. Dirt and debris from nearby trees or recent storms may appear in the condenser unit’s grill. Carefully clear out debris from the unit and clean any remaining dirt in the grills.
Trim Overgrown Vegetation
Along with cleaning the condenser, trim the overgrown vegetation around the unit. Trees and plants have leaves and dirt that can block the grills. As a result, the system works harder to keep the home cool. Trim any trees or bushes back at least a few inches to correct the issue.
Check for Abnormal Sounds & Odors
Tampa’s weather fluctuations may cause systems to run inefficiently and malfunction. Check all your property’s AC units between seasons for abnormal sounds and odors.
Unusual sounds may include:
- Hissing
- Clanking or banging
- Screeching
- Gurgling
- Bussing
Strange odors may consist of:
- Burnt plastic
- Musty or moldy smells
- Rotten eggs or sulfur
- Chemical odors
Upon noticing these sounds or odors, contact an HVAC professional immediately. Tackling these issues early on helps prevent them from becoming severe. For instance, neglecting moldy smells can pose health risks for tenants.
Check for AC Pipe Insulation
Insulating AC pipes are a great preventative measure for weather changes. With temperature spikes and drops, AC pipes become vulnerable. For example, they can corrode from the sea salt air and freeze in the winter. Having a professional Insulate the pipes prevents erosion.
Look for Signs of Low Refrigerant
Low refrigerant levels can significantly affect cooling and heating. Not changing it or running your system on low levels can shorten your AC’s lifespan. This requires a professional because refrigerant can be toxic, posing health risks.
Contact an HVAC expert if you see any of the following signs:
- Warm air blowing through your AC
- On and off AC cycling
- Ice buildup on your refrigerant lines or evaporator coils.
Schedule Routine Maintenance with a Professional
Schedule routine maintenance with your local professionals. Landlords should schedule maintenance at least twice per year for rentals. This prevents system breakdowns. Furthermore, these checks allow you to repair any malfunctioning parts properly.
Consult the experts if you are unsure how to perform any of the tasks on the maintenance checklist.
When Should Tampa Landlords Call HVAC Professionals?
Tampa landlords also should call a pro if they notice any HVAC issues.
Here are some concerns that warrant calling an expert:
- Water leaks around AC units
- Inconsistent or uneven temperatures
- Poor airflow through AC vents
- Faulty wiring or tripped circuit breakers
Contact an HVAC expert immediately if you notice any of these problems. Avoid repairing these issues independently. Scheduling routine inspections will prevent these issues.
How Can Landlords Avoid Tenant Conflicts over HVAC Maintenance?
Educate Tenants on HVAC Upkeep
To prevent any issues with tenants, provide guidelines on proper HVAC use. For instance, encourage them to set reasonable temperatures and keep vents unblocked. Inform them about any ways they can keep their system performing optimally.
Encourage Prompt Reporting
When entering a lease agreement, instruct tenants to report HVAC issues immediately. This will help you keep the lines of communication open and avoid costly repairs.
Proper Thermostat Usage
Advise tenants how to avoid extreme temperature settings. Those thermostat settings can strain the system, increasing their monthly cooling costs.
Legal Compliance
Florida law requires landlords to maintain HVAC systems. If AC is part of the lease, it must function properly. Landlord AC upkeep is essential to avoid legal issues with tenants.
Reach Out to Fairway Heating and Cooling to Schedule Your Next HVAC Maintenance!
Following the HVAC maintenance checklist for Tampa landlords keeps rental ACs in tip-top shape! Routine HVAC maintenance reduces landlord costs and ensures tenant satisfaction. Investing in regular upkeep benefits both landlords and tenants in the long run.
If you need a local HVAC professional in Tampa, rely on Fairway Heating and Cooling. Our technicians are experts in HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation.
We understand the importance of finances. That’s why our service costs are reasonable.
Call us today to schedule your next maintenance check or to book an estimate!
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