Most would agree that their air conditioning and heating unit is the lifeblood of the home, much like their water and electricity. Without cool air in the summer and warm air in cooler months, our homes would be uninhabitable.
Knowing this, responsible homeowners tend to take care of the obvious preventive maintenance chores themselves, such as checking and changing air filters or keeping their thermostats set at a consistent temperature. They unblock inside ducts and vents inside the home to assure proper airflow. Many even know to keep grass trimmings, leaves, weeds and foliage away from outdoor heating exchange units.
While all of these measures are helpful, it is imperative that you also have a strong HVAC preventive maintenance contract in place for a more in-depth inspection and tune-up from a licensed professional HVAC technician.
The word “preventive” means to keep something harmful from happening, so these maintenance agreements are not just a wise option; it is a crucial step in prolonging the life of your system — the lifeblood of your home.
DIY HVAC Maintenance
If you know a lot about HVAC systems, you may be able to take care of some of the cleaning and maintenance on your own. But even if you don’t know a lot, there are still things that you as a homeowner can do to keep things running smoothly. Also, as soon as you notice that something is wrong, be sure to call in someone to come take a look. The easiest task that you can perform is changing the filters.
These filters are usually located on the ceiling of the home. If they only get changed when the temperature changes and get warmer or cooler, they aren’t being changed enough. Most filters need to be changed at least every three months.
If there is more dust them normal or if pets are in the home, it may be necessary to change them more frequently. Also, you can wash off the HVAC vents and clean around them as best as possible.
Professionals HVAC Maintenance
While you may be able to clean most of the exterior issues, when it comes to a complete HVAC service, be sure to call an expert. They can come in and check every part of the system to make sure that all of the vents are cleared out to maximize air flow. In addition to the vents, they can also check over all of the equipment, run tests and make sure that they are working to their potential.
You may be able to sign up for some type of a maintenance plan. Workers would come out to the house in certain intervals of time and check on everything. If they find a problem, they can fix it right then, before things get worse. These checks are usually done before weather changes. This checks all of the heating elements before a cold winter or the air conditioner before the summertime.
HVAC system is important in any home. By performing regular maintenance, you may be able to save money on costly issues. As soon as something is found, have it fixed. Don’t put it off as you don’t want to wait until the house is too cold to start looking to fix the heater.
Also, as the weather changes, more and more people look to have their system serviced. This could mean that local companies find themselves overloaded with work and you may need to wait days or even weeks to have your home heating and cooling system examined.
The Advantages of Having an HVAC Maintenance by Professional
They guarantee that your equipment continues to function properly and remain in good repair. Bi-yearly inspections in the spring and fall ensure that minor issues are caught before they become expensive problems in the dead of winter or on a blistering hot day.
They save customers untold amounts of money; they can boost your equipment’s energy efficiency by as much as 30 percent. The eventual cost difference between a well cared for HVAC system and a neglected unit is astronomical in terms of energy use, repair or replacement.
They eliminate unacceptable surprises. Customers with a maintenance agreement rarely are hit with a midsummer air conditioning system replacement when failing or faulty equipment is detected beforehand. Remember, even an unsafe heating furnace will still heat your home. If something dire is found ahead of time, your HVAC technician can help explore your options.
They are convenient and eliminate hassle. You contact them on your time schedule when it’s time for a checkup. Additionally, rest assured you will receive priority status should you need immediate service. Furthermore, you can be certain that your NATE-certified HVAC technician knows your air conditioning system inside and out.
Without a Preventive Maintenance plan, costly repairs will most likely come sooner than they should. It is not just a case of “pay now or pay later.” The reality would be closer to “pay now or spend considerably more later.”
