The Running Commode: E3 Smart HVAC Maintenance

On this episode of The Running Commode, Mark Raymond from TMI Properties and Erik Hodge of HHI Home Inspections discuss home HVAC with Aaron Drenikowski of https://nesplumbing.com discuss HVAC maintenance all homeowners need to know.

When the hottest day of summer arrives—or when cottonwood drifts through your yard like snow—your HVAC system becomes the difference between comfort and misery. The good news? Most common heating and cooling problems are entirely preventable with basic knowledge and simple maintenance.

On a recent episode of The Running Commode podcast, host Mark Raymond from TMI Properties and Erik Hodge from HHI Home Inspections sat down with HVAC expert Aaron Drenikowski to discuss the essential maintenance tasks that keep your system running efficiently and safely all year long.

Understanding Your HVAC System: The Five Key Components

Breaking your HVAC system into its main parts makes troubleshooting and maintenance much easier. Most homes have these five essential elements:

Ductwork – Your air distribution network that delivers conditioned air throughout the house.

Furnace – The blower motor and heating source (unless you have a boiler or air handler).

Condenser – The outside unit that kicks on in cooling mode.

Evaporator Coil – Sits over the furnace and connects the condenser to your ductwork to create cool air.

Thermostat – The brains of the operation that calls for heat or cooling when needed.

How Air Conditioning Actually Works

Here's something that surprises many homeowners: your air conditioner doesn't blow cold air into your house. As Aaron explains, "Air conditioning is just the absence of heat."

Instead of generating cold air, your system removes heat and humidity from inside your home and transfers that heat outside through the condenser. Heat transfer, airflow, and humidity control are the keys to comfort—which is why keeping all those components clean and unobstructed matters so much.

Preventive HVAC Maintenance That Saves Emergency Service Calls

HVAC technicians get slammed on the hottest days of the year. Aaron woke up one recent scorcher to 30 service calls waiting from overnight. You can avoid becoming an emergency statistic by doing a few simple things early in the season:

Kick the AC on in spring – Run your system in early spring to catch small electrical or operational issues before peak heat arrives. "There could just be a small electrical component that might need to be tweaked or replaced," Aaron notes. "We really want to get out there and do those maintenances early in the spring, so that way we don't have those emergency service calls."

Replace or clean filters regularly – Dirty filters restrict airflow, reduce efficiency, and stress the entire system. Change them every 1-3 months depending on use and filter type.

Rinse the outdoor condenser – Cottonwood, dust, dirt, and pollen coat the fins and reduce efficiency. "You want to have as much natural airflow across that condensing unit as possible," Aaron explains. A simple rinse can make a significant difference.

Maintain clearances – Keep 2-3 feet of open space around the condenser for good airflow. Trim plants and avoid piling mulch or debris against the unit.

What NOT to Do: Covers, Critters, and Common Mistakes

A few well-intentioned actions can actually cause long-term damage:

Don't use a full cover on your condenser – "I highly advise against a cover," says Aaron. Covering the unit traps moisture and condensation, which accelerates corrosion of electrical components. These units are designed to withstand outdoor conditions, including snow and rain.

Protect from pet chemistry – Dog urine contains ammonia that eats away at fins and metal. Mark Raymond suggests a simple landscaping solution: "Build up about a three or four-course wall around the unit with broken concrete or stone, and then the dog will relieve itself on that and not on your unit. You can even put flagstone across the top to make it decorative."

Beware of pests – "Surprisingly enough, chipmunks, earwigs, those stink bugs—those very little components will fry your system like that," Aaron warns. Keep vegetation trimmed and check the unit periodically.

Vents, Dampers, and Airflow: Keep Things Open

Your home's ductwork was designed with calculated airflow in mind. Closing too many vents to redirect air can actually harm system performance.

"When your home is designed, there is a load calculation that goes in," Aaron explains. While minor adjustments are fine—like partially closing a vent on one floor—avoid shutting off numerous supply registers to "push" air elsewhere.

The design target is roughly 100 CFM (cubic feet per minute) per 6-inch duct run. Closing too many vents creates airflow restriction, similar to what happens with dirty air filters or a dirty condenser.

Furnace Sizing and Efficiency: Why It Matters

Not all furnaces are created equal, and efficiency ratings directly affect your comfort and utility bills. Aaron breaks down a practical example:

For a 2,400-square-foot home requiring 96,000 BTUs of heat, you have options:

• A 125,000-BTU furnace at 80% efficiency provides 100,000 BTUs of output

• A 100,000-BTU furnace at 96% efficiency provides 96,000 BTUs of output

"So I can put a smaller furnace in that's going to cut down on utilities," Aaron notes. "96% of the gas you pay is going to be heat in the home, and only 4% gets exhausted."

Quick efficiency check: PVC exhaust piping usually indicates high-efficiency units (90% and up), because the exhaust is cooler and condenses. Galvanized B-vent signals older 80% efficiency units.

Exhaust Venting and Safety: Get the Pitch Right

Proper exhaust vent pitch is critical for safety and performance, particularly for atmospheric-vented water heaters and older furnaces without an inducer motor.

Maintain a positive pitch outward of about 1/4 to 1/8 inch per foot. As Aaron explains, "That exhaust gases, it basically fills up like a cup of water." If exhaust doesn't flow out properly—due to poor pitch, blocked chimney, or missing liner—combustion gases can accumulate and cause carbon monoxide to enter living spaces.

Your Seasonal Maintenance Checklist

• ✓ Turn on the AC in spring to confirm operation

• ✓ Change air filters every 1-3 months

• ✓ Rinse condenser fins gently after pulling the power disconnect

• ✓ Keep 2-3 feet of clearance around the outdoor unit

• ✓ Avoid full covers on outdoor condensers

• ✓ Inspect venting for proper pitch and clearances

• ✓ Schedule professional HVAC maintenance annually

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late

Most HVAC problems start small: a clogged filter, a coated condenser, a loose electrical connection, or poor airflow from closed vents. A few proactive steps—early season testing, basic cleaning, and timely professional maintenance—go a long way toward comfort, efficiency, and safety.

Schedule Your Home Inspection Today

Whether you're buying a new home or maintaining your current one, a thorough home inspection can identify HVAC issues before they become expensive emergencies.

Contact HHI Home Inspections:

• Phone: 248-388-4783

• Email: erikhodge@hhiservice.com

• Online scheduling: Schedule My Inspection

Your home is your biggest investment. Make sure your dream home isn't a nightmare!

If you smell exhaust, suspect carbon monoxide, or your system behaves unusually, contact a qualified technician right away.