The short answer is yes. When you consider the upfront purchasing and ongoing running costs of HVAC equipment, it makes good sense to protect your investment. Many people tend to forget about these systems until something goes wrong and then they contact an HVAC specialist to fix the problem. This is the wrong approach, it’s easy to forget about systems that are tucked out of sight, but this is an expensive mistake. In this article, we will take a closer look at the benefits of regular HVAC maintenance.

Is Regular Maintenance Essential?

All heating and cooling experts agree that regular HVAC maintenance is essential. If you have a newer system, it may be required to comply with the terms of the warranty. Like any complex system, HVAC equipment needs regular servicing to work at optimal efficiency. It would be unreasonable to avoid vehicle maintenance and expect a car to simply work all the time with no issues.

When an HVAC system is neglected the parts tend to wear down until they stop working altogether. Up to that point, there will be a degraded level of performance and the energy efficiency may suffer. If you pay close attention to your utility bills, you may notice that you’re paying more for your energy.

3 Benefits of Regular HVAC Maintenance

As a general concept preventative maintenance makes good sense for any complex system and this is equally true for HVAC systems. There are three clear benefits when you choose regular preventative maintenance for your heating and cooling equipment. They are;

1.   Early Fixes Cost Less

It’s a truism that early identification and intervention costs less. A problem tends to get worse over time and an HVAC system is no exception. If a problem is ignored, the affected component can begin to cause problems in other areas too. The risks of a potential breakdown are increased and downtime for repairs during hot and cold months should be avoided. Smaller issues are easier and thus less expensive to fix.

2.   Energy Efficiency Improvements

An HVAC system will steadily lose energy efficiency after installation. At first, this isn’t noticeable unless you’re paying very close attention to your utility bills. But, eventually, it will become hard to ignore and you will spend more money on energy. Although regular maintenance cannot prevent this loss in energy efficiency, it will slow down the speed of progress considerably. Well maintained equipment performs better and it has better energy efficiency which lowers your utility bills.

3.   Projected Useful Lifespans

A typical high-efficiency furnace and air conditioner will last for 15-20 years. If the HVAC system is installed as a matching pair at the same time, it will be at the upper end of that age range. But, another key consideration is regular HVAC maintenance, if you want to avoid an earlier than expected replacement. When you consider the reasonable cost of professional HVAC maintenance it starts to look like a real bargain.

What is the Right Time for an HVAC Tune Up?

If you can’t remember when your HVAC system was serviced it’s time to schedule a visit now. The best time to maintain these systems is before the start of the heating and cooling season.

Don’t wait until the weather is colder or hotter or you may be causing problems for yourself. Why? Well, there will be a greater demand for HVAC services because many people are turning their systems on for the first time in months. This is when problems tend to occur and a large number of repairs are needed. So, it can be difficult to schedule a visit because HVAC technicians tend to be busier. If your system has been inspected earlier it will be ready for the months ahead and less likely to fail when you need it most.

Ask About a Preventative Maintenance Agreement

Many HVAC companies have a preventative maintenance agreement that you can join to lower the costs of ongoing maintenance. This may be known as a “Service Plan” or other similar names, but the concept is the same. The HVAC company has a record of your system, when it was serviced, and when the next service is due. Before the maintenance date, they will send you a reminder that some servicing is needed. Then you can arrange a mutually convenient time and they carry out the work for you.

These maintenance plans are a great way to stay on top of the maintenance needs and save money at the same time. There may even be other perks available, such as:

  • Discounted repairs.
  • Waived fees for service calls,
  • Priority scheduling,
  • Discounts on HVAC equipment.

These types of servicing agreements offer good value for money, but they usually lock the homeowner into a plan for a couple of HVAC tune-ups annually. The first takes place before the start of the cooling season and the second before the heating season. These will ensure that the heating and cooling parts of the HVAC system are ready for the harder months ahead.

What Happens During HVAC Maintenance?

The HVAC technician will inspect your HVAC system for signs of wear and tear and advise you on potential issues that could be a problem in the future. At this time, you will approve any repairs or component replacements. It makes good sense to carry out repairs early to keep the costs down and limit the risk of a failure.

When the HVAC contractor arrives you can expect them to run through the following tune-up checklist which is pretty standard throughout the industry:

  • The thermostat is tested and the settings are reviewed.
  • All moving components are lubricated.
  • The electrical connections are tested and tightened as necessary.
  • The control system is inspected.
  • The coils are cleaned,
  • The condensate drain is cleaned and cleared.
  • The air filter is checked and replaced.
  • The refrigerant levels are checked and topped up as required.
  • The blower motor unit, fan, and belts are checked and adjusted.
  • The fins are checked and straightened.

If you need to schedule some essential maintenance for your HVAC system, contact your local heating and cooling specialist today.