Most people expect their HVAC systems to work every day without any kind of professional intervention. This is simply unrealistic; after all, you wouldn’t expect your car to run well without any kind of servicing or regular maintenance. The main barrier for most people is cost. They are often unwilling to spend money on something that seems to be running well. This is a big mistake. It’s easy to take your HVAC system for granted, but a lack of maintenance will cost more in the medium to long term. This can happen in four major ways that we will explore in more detail here.
- Unexpected and Expensive Repair Bills
There is an old adage, which says that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and this applicable when it comes to your HVAC system. Let’s face it; a repair bill can be considerable, and then there are the associated charges because things always seem to go wrong at the worst times. The last thing that you need is an interruption in heating or cooling when the temperatures are well outside the comfortable range.
Fixing problems as they arise without taking any precautions will cost more over time when compared to preventative maintenance. Even something as simple as changing the air filters each month will make the HVAC system less prone to failures. Regular servicing carried out by a local HVAC specialist is the ideal way to spot smaller issues before they can develop into larger problems. Like anything in life, it’s easier and cheaper to fix a smaller issue than a more serious problem.
- A Loss in Energy Efficiency
We have seen major improvements in energy efficiency in many industries in recent years. HVAC system manufacturers have met new standards for energy efficiency to improve our environment. This is very laudable, but one of the best things about energy efficiency is that it can lower your energy bills. Regular HVAC maintenance will include a number of checks and cleaning tasks that actually help to maintain or even improve the energy efficiency of your system.
Over time, any HVAC system will be compromised by the daily working strain and the age of the heating and cooling equipment. A gradual buildup of dirt, grime, clogged drain lines, and cracks or breaks in the ductwork will all lead to a loss in efficiency. It costs a great deal to treat the air circulating throughout your home, and you can keep more of that money in your pocket if your HVAC system is operating at peak efficiency.
Another key issue is that any HVAC system will lose energy efficiency as it ages. This is natural, but the process can be slowed down significantly with regular servicing. The longer that you can keep your system running efficiently, the more money you will save over the useful lifespan of your heating and cooling equipment.
- A Loss in Performance
Let’s face it; no homeowner wants to pay good money to receive a poor level of heating or cooling performance. If you neglect your HVAC system, it will underperform, and it may struggle to achieve a stable indoor temperature. The indoor air quality may also suffer, and this can trigger allergic reactions or exacerbate pre-existing breathing conditions. A more serious issue may the release of carbon monoxide, which can lead to significant health problems and even fatalities.
Any HVAC system that is not serviced regularly can be prone to cycling issues. When a consistent temperature cannot be maintained, the system will be fooled into turning on and off quickly. This is known as “short cycling,” and it can introduce significant strain on your heating and cooling equipment. This will affect the performance of your HVAC system, but it will also lead to failures. Components placed under strain are more likely to fail, and in turn, this can affect other parts in the system. This can lead to an expensive repair bill or, in extreme cases, even an entire replacement.
- A Premature HVAC System Replacement
Most modern HVAC systems have a useful lifespan of around 15-20 years. This can vary a little depending on the quality of the equipment, but every system will wear out eventually. But, regular HVAC maintenance can extend this lifespan to the upper limit of this range. For every year that your HVAC system is working well, you can defer the cost of replacement. Investing in a new HVAC system is a significant investment, and if you can delay that decision by a few years, you can save a great deal of money.
Another key consideration is the concept of a planned replacement. If your HVAC system is well maintained, you will be well aware of any potential problems that are coming your way. This allows you to make carefully considered decisions in advance and financially plan your system replacement. If your HVAC system fails unexpectedly, you may be forced to make decisions quickly. This is not an ideal situation, decisions made in haste are soon regretted, and this is equally applicable to HVAC system choices.
In Conclusion
Hopefully, we have made a good case for regular HVAC system maintenance. The savings made with regular servicing may seem trivial, but they can really add up over time. It’s also worth noting that a lack of heating and cooling is very noticeable, and you don’t want to spend money on sub-standard performance. If your home is well insulated and your HVAC system is working at peak efficiency, you may be surprised at the energy savings that can be made.
As we mentioned in the introduction, the main barrier to HVAC maintenance is the cost. But, as you can see, the costs of servicing pale in comparison to the costs of neglecting the needs of your HVAC system. A good HVAC system may be one of the biggest investments that you can make to improve your indoor comfort levels. Protecting that investment makes good economic sense.
If you want to learn more about scheduling regular maintenance for your HVAC system, contact a local specialist today.