As a homeowner, you rely on your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable, not the other way around. So, you may be wondering, “why is it important to get my HVAC system serviced outside of repair and replacement needs?” But your HVAC system does so much more than just maintain your home’s temperature; it also keeps your indoor air quality healthy, your humidity under control, and your water pipes from freezing. With so many functional parts, regular maintenance service is necessary to keep your unit running safely and smoothly, year-round. Find out more about how often you should be servicing your HVAC system, and why.
When Should You Schedule HVAC Service?
The best time to schedule HVAC maintenance service is in the early fall, and again at the start of spring. This way, both your heating and cooling unit will be prepped for their most demanding seasons. Scheduling service a season ahead will also help catch any needed repairs before they become untimely breakdowns during a cold winter storm or heat wave.
Additionally, scheduling service in the fall and spring will likely provide more availability than during the winter and summer when technicians are much busier.
7 Reasons Why Servicing HVAC Systems Is Important
Your HVAC system is a hefty investment. Keeping up with regular maintenance is important not just for getting the most out of that investment, but for many other reasons including:
- Maintaining Your System’s Efficiency
Over time, your HVAC system will slowly decrease in efficiency due to natural wear and tear. However, without regular service, dirt buildup, broken parts, or small leaks will cause your system to be overworked, which can greatly reduce its efficiency sooner. By regularly inspecting and resolving these issues, your unit will be able to operate more efficiently for longer.
- Keeping Your Home Safe
A broken HVAC system can lead to many dangerous issues in your home. A broken heater can lead to burst water pipes and water damage. A broken AC can lead to an overly humid home, potentially causing mold and mildew growth. Electrical issues can become a fire hazard if handled incorrectly. And if you have a gas-fueled heater, a carbon monoxide leak is extremely dangerous to your health. Regularly inspecting and testing your unit helps keep your home safe and prevents these issues from occurring.
- Improving Your Indoor Air Quality
Your HVAC unit does more than just keep your home at a consistent, comfortable temperature; it also maintains your indoor air quality. Because your HVAC system is connected to your ventilation system, it’s important to consistently clean your unit, vents, and air filters.
- Reducing Energy Costs
Without regular maintenance, your HVAC system is likely to become overworked due to dirt buildup or malfunctioning parts. This will cause your system to consume more energy than if it were operating at its peak efficiency.
- Avoiding More Costly Repairs
Small issues such as dirt buildup, drain clogs, small leaks, thermostat malfunction, loose belts or bearings, and more can all lead to more costly repairs if they’re not identified early on. During routine maintenance, service professionals will notice these issues and resolve them before they become more costly to fix or even replace.
- Preventing Untimely Breakdowns
Having a reliable HVAC system during the colder or warmer seasons is vital for keeping your home safe and comfortable. Maintenance will ensure that repairs are addressed before they become an emergency.
- Bettering Your Home Comfort
The better your unit efficiency and airflow, the better your indoor comfort will be. Without routine maintenance, your system will likely struggle to evenly and consistently heat or cool your home.
How Much Does It Cost to Service an HVAC System?
Most standard HVAC tune-ups will cost an average of $70 to $200 depending on your system type and maintenance needs. At Mission Plumbing Heating & Cooling®, we have available service coupons to reduce these costs. Our standard tune-up for your furnace or AC system starts at $39 each. This, however, doesn’t include repair or replacement services. If our technicians identify repair needs, we’ll be sure to discuss options before scheduling additional services.
What’s Included in an HVAC Tune-Up?
During a routine maintenance tune-up, our HVAC professionals will take an initial look at your unit to identify any obvious repair or replacement needs that will require scheduling additional service. From there, we’ll perform a standard tune-up that involves:
- Testing the unit for proper function and safety
- Inspecting for leaks or damage
- Cleaning the exterior and interior of the unit as needed
- Clearing any drain clogs
- Checking connected air ducts and vents for dirt buildup
- Replacing air filters
Do You Need Professional HVAC Maintenance Services?
Yes. Your HVAC unit is incredibly complex, and without an experienced technician to identify potential repair needs, these issues are likely to persist and cause damage to your unit or home. That being said, some HVAC system cleaning services and maintenance tasks can be done on your own, such as:
- Testing your thermostat. Check that your batteries are still functioning properly and that your thermostat is properly connecting to your unit.
- Cleaning the external unit. Using a damp cloth, remove any dirt buildup from the fan on your external unit.
- Cleaning the fins. Using a vacuum hose or fin spray, remove any dust or dirt in the fins.
- Clearing the drain pan. Empty the drain pan and clean off any dirt or grime as needed.
- Cleaning interior unit coils. Using a soft brush, remove any dust and debris.
- Replacing the filter. Every three months or so, replace your filter with the correct filter type.
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