There is quite a bit of debate over when to call your local HVAC (Heat, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) professionals for service calls. You’ve probably heard that you should have your air conditioner serviced regularly or yearly. Well, we get it: when an HVAC company recommends maintenance for your air conditioner or heating system, it can be an easy suggestion just to pass over. Unless something is seriously wrong with your cooling or heating system (such as you aren’t receiving any heat in the middle of winter), you may be tempted to put off calling a technician, especially if everything worked “just fine” last season.
Did you know that your HVAC system works harder than your automobile? Just like your car, it needs a regularly scheduled service to keep it running efficiently. A regular inspection does a whole lot of good for both your HVAC system and wallet. But when should you have your system serviced? What happens during the maintenance call? And what good does having your unit serviced do? If you’ve ever wondered about any of these questions, keep reading. This post will teach you everything you need to know about routine HVAC tune-ups (and why it’s an essential item on your to-do list)!
How Often Should I Get An HVAC Tuneup?
As you may have guessed, the best time to schedule maintenance service is before you actually need your system the most. Even if you don’t suspect any problems with your air conditioning unit, heating, and cooling, it’s smart to have your system serviced twice a year: once in the spring for your air conditioner, and once in the fall for your furnace. You can technically wait a little longer for service (say, into the early summer or early winter), but the longer you wait, the higher the chances that something goes wrong with your unit. But why is its maintenance so important?
Save You Some Bucks
Inspections pay for themselves through improved energy efficiency, which saves money on utility bills, and a longer-lasting air conditioning unit. A yearly maintenance check by a licensed HVAC expert can help reduce your monthly energy bill by up to 15 percent and help prevent earlier-than-normal breakdowns.
Oh-So Fresh Air
An adequately repaired HVAC unit will not only keep a home cozy or fresh, but will also limit air quality problems. Cleaner filters and coils equate to better breathing for an entire household. Unmaintained HVAC units are a magnet for dirt, mold, and bacteria and a plethora of other pathogens, all causing or worsening respiratory problems for those living in the home.
Fewer Emergency Repairs
Sadly, it’s a fact that HVAC units will require emergency repairs from time to time. The superior-maintained units are less likely to breakdown during the months of sustained use, namely the summer months from June through September and the colder winter months from December to March. Keeping your AC unit up to date will regular inspections, and maintenance will remove the worry that your HVAC will break down during the months you need it most.
Increased Efficiency
Thorough cleaning eliminates dirt and grime, which often clog up your filters and make your heater or AC have to work harder than necessary. Regular preventative upkeep on your HVAC system ensures that you keep your system up and running all season long at top efficiency without any breakdowns. It should go without saying that the harder your system works, the more energy it sucks up each month. Here are 5 top maintenance tips to help keep indoor comfort levels high and your HVAC repair costs low:
#1. Keep Your Cooling System Happy and Healthy Between Servicing
It’s important to pay close attention to any rattling, thumping, grinding, or buzzing with your system in between annual maintenance visits. You can do these things to keep your AC running smoothly:
- Periodically inspect the outdoor unit for damage, and keep the area around the unit free of gunk, debris, weeds, leaves.
- Turn up the thermostat when you’re not home or on vacation. This will lessen the load on your system, and it will last longer.
- Make sure indoor air vents are free of obstructions
- Call for AC repair if you notice weird noises, water leaks, air temperature that doesn’t match the thermostat
The sooner you address the issue, the less damage it can do overall.
#2. Replace Your Air Filters
Air filters need to be replaced every 30 to 90 days, and they need to be checked every month for dirt and clogs. The more people living in your household and the more pets you have, the more your filters will need to be changed. This is an important task that needs to be in your monthly routine since operating your HVAC with a dirty or clogged filter can damage your equipment.
#3. Schedule Annual Maintenance
Having your air conditioners adjusted every spring and your heaters adjusted every fall is critical. It’ s unknown to many, but regular maintenance can usually prevent up to 95 percent of air conditioning repairs. Periodic servicing also keeps your system running at peak performance for maximum comfort while reducing energy costs and extending the life of your equipment.
#4. Clean The Vents
Vacuuming the vents often helps to keep dust and dirt from building up and obstructing airflow. It’s also important to check the airflow periodically to make sure that it’s not weak. If you notice weak airflow, contact your local HVAC service technician as soon as possible.
#5. Clean the Outside Unit
While many of us tend to forget about an HVAC system’s outdoor unit, it’s just as important as the indoor unit and requires monthly inspection. The unit should be kept free of leaves, twigs or debris, and be sure to cut down plants and shrubs at least one meter long. To remove dirt, simply wipe the inside and outside of the unit clean and, if necessary, use a light stream of water from a garden hose to clean the surface.
When Maintenance Isn’t Enough
So, if you need to have your air conditioner, heater, or ventilation system serviced and have not done so this year, contact Beato Fuel Corp in Baldwin right away. Of course, there will come a time when even twice-annual maintenance won’t be enough to keep your HVAC system in good working order. Over time, moving parts wear out, break down, and replace or repair them becomes costlier than merely replacing your entire system.
If your unit is 15 or more years old and requires frequent repairs, it may be time to talk to your local HVAC professionals about replacing it with a newer, more efficient model. It’s more affordable than you think, and in most cases, the energy savings are well worth the initial investment. Failure to order annual service to both your heating and cooling systems can result in you needing to spend a fortune to replace the unit. A technician can diagnose and repair problems before they send your heating or cooling in chaos.