There are several reasons to perform HVAC maintenance every year. Your HVAC system is one of your home’s most crucial systems, as well as one of the costliest, so it’s critical that you schedule regular professional maintenance to ensure that you get the most out of it. The following covers some of the top benefits of keeping your HVAC system maintained.
Prevent Major Breakdowns
Although some homeowners skip regular maintenance due to the cost, the cost of not having your system maintained can be much more expensive. Systems that aren’t maintained are more prone to major issues and inconvenient breakdowns requiring emergency services. In addition to leaving you without a working HVAC system, your unit breaking down when you need it most will have a major impact on your wallet.
Validate Your Manufacturer’s Warranty
HVAC manufacturers often provide warranties that cover repairs and replacements during a certain period after purchasing your unit. To keep these warranties intact, you must take certain steps to keep your unit in good shape. One of these steps is having regular maintenance performed. Typically, HVAC manufacturers require that you have at least one maintenance visit each year, but some require biannual maintenance. These tune-ups must be performed by professional HVAC technicians. If you neglect maintenance, you may find yourself paying for repairs that otherwise would be covered under your system warranty.
Reduce Energy Bills
Even the most energy-efficient air conditioning units will not save you cash if they are not properly maintained. If your system needs to operate harder due to dirty and worn components, you will use more gas or electricity to keep your house comfortable. More use equals less cash in your pocket. You must keep your unit cleaned, repaired, lubricated, and aligned to operate at its highest energy efficiency.
Improve Airflow
When the passage of air is obstructed, your system must operate harder to reach the thermostat settings. Obstructed airflow could be caused by numerous issues, including dirty filters, blocked vents, or damaged or dirty ductwork. Having annual HVAC maintenance will ensure that none of these issues affect your airflow, resulting in less wear and tear and better heating and cooling.
Improve Home Comfort
Of course, the biggest reason you use an HVAC unit is to keep you comfortable throughout the year. A poorly maintained HVAC unit will gradually lose its ability to function efficiently and effectively, leaving you uncomfortable in your own home. In addition to producing weak airflow, an unmaintained system may lack the ability to heat all your rooms evenly. It may also struggle to reach the thermostat setting. Invest in both your finances and comfort by getting regular maintenance.
Enhance System Lifespan
To increase the longevity of your HVAC system, routine maintenance is essential. Most HVAC units will last up to 15 years, but you will never reach that mark without maintenance. Systems that haven’t been maintained suffer from dirty and worn components that make the system work harder than necessary to keep you comfortable. This increases daily wear and tear and reduces the system’s lifespan. Without scheduling regular tune-ups, you could find yourself in need of a new system much sooner. And HVAC systems are a significant investment that you want to put off for as long as possible. Do yourself a favor and keep your current system as well maintained and operating optimally.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
Along with keeping your home at a comfortable temperature, your HVAC system helps to keep the air you breathe indoors as clean as possible. Your air filter traps dust, pollen, and other contaminants that would otherwise circulate through your air. Getting regular maintenance ensures that you always have clean filters. Regular maintenance also catches other issues that can contribute to poor air quality, including dirt buildup within the system itself. Dirt, mold, and other debris can also collect in your ductwork, leading to dirty air throughout your house. Your HVAC technician will also inspect your ductwork during maintenance visits to ensure that they are clean and unobstructed.
Protect the Environment
In addition to saving you money on your energy bills, a well-maintained system can also help you reduce your carbon footprint. When your system receives regular tune-ups, it will operate as efficiently as possible, using less energy in the process. Many of us are concerned with reducing our environmental impact by cutting back on energy use, and your HVAC system is one of the biggest energy hogs in your household. Taking steps to keep it maintained can be one of the best things you can do to create a more eco-friendly home.
Peace of Mind
Finally, a regular inspection of your HVAC system will give you peace of mind. With annual maintenance visits, you won’t find yourself surprised with a breakdown during the middle of a hot summer day or cold winter evening. You can also rest assured knowing that your system is running as efficiently and effectively as possible because you’re doing your part to take care of it.
What does HVAC Maintenance Entail?
Now that you understand the importance of HVAC maintenance, you may be wondering what these visits entail. While maintenance tasks can vary from visit to visit, there are a few things that you can expect your HVAC technician to do during a tune-up.
Thermostat Calibration
You may not give much thought to your thermostat, but it’s the brain of your HVAC system. In order for it to work properly, it must be properly calibrated so that it is correctly reading the temperature in your home. During a maintenance visit, your HVAC tech will calibrate your thermostat and offer tips to help you get the most out of the unit’s settings.
Lubrication
There are several moving elements in your heating and cooling system. These components wear out as a result of continual friction. To prevent excess wear and tear, an HVAC tech will lubricate your system’s moving parts. This will improve efficiency and likely make the unit quieter.
Coil Cleaning
The HVAC technician will clean the condenser and evaporator coils. This can improve the efficiency of your unit and prolong the lifespan of your system.
Blower Maintenance
Your blower is a crucial component of your forced-air system. As such, it’s important to keep it maintained. Part of your tune-up will include a blower inspection. The technician will check the blower bearings on new systems and the belt on older systems.
Electrical Connection Check
There are various wires inside your HVAC system that can wear out or become loose over time. Ensuring that all electrical connections are tight and each wire is in good condition will keep your unit operating optimally.
Air Filter Replacement
To preserve airflow and quality, your air filters should be changed regularly. During a maintenance visit, the technician will inspect your filters and change them if they are dirty. It’s important to note, though, that your filters should be changed more than once a year. In between maintenance visits, you should check your filter every 30 days or so and replace it every 90 days.
Ready for an Inspection?
As you can see, routine maintenance is the key to keeping your HVAC system functioning efficiently all season long. If it’s time to schedule annual maintenance for your furnace or air conditioner, Comfort All-Stars is available to help. Our team services Tampa, FL and the surrounding area with high-quality HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation services. We also provide electrical, indoor air quality, and duct cleaning services. Contact Comfort All-Stars today for more information or to set up an appointment.
