When the outdoor temperatures start to rise, it’s natural to make the shift from heating to cooling. At this time, some homeowners think about their outdoor HVAC units that have been exposed to the elements throughout the cold winter months. The indoor unit tends to be overlooked because it’s relatively protected from the weather. But, there are good reasons to schedule regular preventative maintenance for your indoor HVAC unit too. Making the decision to adopt a proactive approach to your HVAC system needs is smart. It’s possible to improve or maintain performance, lower your energy bills, reduce the frequency of repairs and even extend the useful lifespan of your system.
What is HVAC Preventative Maintenance?
Some HVAC companies may call this a “Service Agreement”, but the two terms are interchangeable. Preventative maintenance is an arrangement where the homeowner pays for two tune-ups annually. The first tune-up occurs before the cooling season begins and the second before the start of the heating season. The term tune-up is very applicable because the system is being optimized to work for the upcoming season. The tune-up includes a wide variety of tasks, including cleaning, air balancing, replacing filters, lubricating moving parts and more.
When the HVAC technician arrives, this is usually known as a Service Call and the time can vary depending on the complexity of the task. An aging HVAC system may need more work, smaller issues can be identified earlier and this can help you to avoid a larger repair bill later. Well maintained heating and cooling equipment tend to perform better and the energy efficiency is improved.
Essential Indoor Unit Maintenance
The inside of your home is typically the first area of interest during a service call. The HVAC technicians will check and replace all the filters in your system, carry out some standard safety checks and inspect the ductwork. At this point, it’s a good idea to let your technician know if you’ve experienced any strange phenomenon related to your system. Strange behavior, noises and even odors can all be a warning sign that something is wrong. Over time, this behavior can cost you a lot of money, and it makes good sense to get them checked out sooner rather than later.
The Cost Benefits of Preventative Maintenance
Every homeowner wants to save money, but avoiding preventative maintenance doesn’t make much sense when you crunch the numbers. Even if you have a high end HVAC system, there are still significant benefits when regular maintenance is scheduled. The system is less likely to fail when you need it most, and you can even extend the useful lifespan. This is key, because a new HVAC system can cost more than $5,000 to purchase and install. If you can put that off for a few more years, you have more time to save up for a new HVAC system.
Energy Efficiency Improvements
Your HVAC system represents a significant investment in your indoor comfort. It makes good sense to protect that investment with regularly scheduled maintenance, but there are other benefits to enjoy too. When an HVAC system is clean and well maintained, it tends to run smoothly as intended by the manufacturer, Smoothly running heating and cooling equipment consumes less energy with no accompanying drop in performance. Essentially, you get more bang for your buck when you have a preventative maintenance plan in place. Experts estimate that this could save an average home a third on their heating and cooling bills over the lifespan of the system. When you consider the savings, a service agreement starts to look like a real bargain.
Boosting the Indoor HVAC Unit Performance
If you have an indoor and outdoor unit for your AC system, it’s crucial to understand that they work together to remove the heat from your home. This is achieved with a chemical refrigerant that is kept under pressure and turned from a liquid to a gas again. This heating and cooling of the refrigerant absorbs heat from the home and moves it outdoors.
A key component in this process is the coils, which can get very dirty under normal operating conditions. It’s also important to keep the refrigerant at a sufficiently high level, or the performance will be affected. Some people are tempted to top up their refrigerants, but this is a bad idea. A chemical refrigerant is hard to work with if you don’t know what you’re doing, and if you use the wrong type, it will lower the performance dramatically. If you’re concerned about the performance of your HVAC system, contact your local heating and cooling specialist today. If you schedule regular preventative maintenance, you don’t need to worry because checking the refrigerant levels and recharging the system is included.
Even if you have a high-efficiency AC system, you may be surprised at the performance gains that can be made with regular servicing. The HVAC technician will check the system for air balancing issues, refrigerant leaks, ductwork blockages, and more. This will ensure that the system is in good working order and ready for the season ahead. If you want greater control over your HVAC system, you may want to consider a thermostat upgrade too. The latest smart thermostats allow you to control and monitor your system remotely in real time with your favorite mobile device.
What About Outdoor Maintenance?
Most indoor HVAC units have an outdoor unit where the condenser is located. The technicians will clean this unit, check the condensate drain pan, remove any drain line clogs, clean the condenser coil, check the fan motor and ensure that the fan blades are working. This can include checking and tightening pipes, belts, bolts, and other connections and fittings. If any wear and tear has occurred, you will be informed and the HVAC technicians can suggest a solution to ensure that your system is working at optimal efficiency.
If you want to join an HVAC servicing program, contact your local heating and cooling specialist today. Our clients get priority when it comes to preventative maintenance, and you can save money on your essential servicing needs.