6 Reasons to Schedule Two HVAC Maintenance Visits in The New Year

Where does your HVAC system fit into your New Year’s Resolutions? The fact is, there’s no better time than the new year to start thinking about HVAC maintenance. We recommend that you schedule two maintenance appointments per year, with the first in the spring, before summer begins, and the second in the fall, before winter begins. The spring appointment focuses on preparing your air conditioner for the challenging triple-digit summer heat, while the fall appointment focuses on ensuring that your heater will keep you warm and cozy on chilly winter nights.

Here are the six major benefits that make scheduling two HVAC maintenance visits in the new year an easy decision.

1.      Extend equipment lifespan

A replacement HVAC system can cost upwards of several thousand dollars when you factor in delivery and installation. With so much money on the line, it’s in your best interest as a homeowner to make sure your current HVAC system lasts as long as possible.  Regular maintenance is the best way to do your part and save money in the long run.

You get your tires rotated and your oil changed to keep your car running like-new, and the same logic applies to your HVAC system. A well-maintained HVAC system can last up to 15 years, while ones that are left without maintenance lose up to 5% of their efficiency each year. It’s not uncommon for poorly maintained systems to barely reach the age of seven, essentially less than half of their expected lifespan.

2.      Stop breakdowns before they happen

There’s nothing worse than a costly HVAC breakdown—especially when they seem to happen with no warning, leaving you in the midst of an HVAC emergency. Even though a breakdown may seem sudden, they don’t happen overnight. A breakdown is often the result of many small problems coming together to form one big one, or key components suffering from wear and tear. These red flags may be all but invisible to you as a homeowner, since they often don’t have any obvious warning signs.

A maintenance call is the perfect time to uncover the secrets your HVAC system is hiding. Whether it’s a sneaky refrigerant leak, dirty condenser coils, or a motor that needs to be replaced, a technician can identify and remedy even the smallest problems.

3.      Maintain warranty coverage

Your warranty coverage may depend on keeping your HVAC unit well maintained. In fact, one of the most common conditions for voiding a warranty is failing to schedule annual maintenance, or failing to provide proof of maintenance. The last thing you want is to try and use your warranty, only to find out that you voided it by skipping maintenance. So, keep your coverage in good standing by scheduling the required maintenance visits with a qualified HVAC contractor. To make sure you’re working with someone reputable, it’s important to do thorough research, including consulting with resources like the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) to find vetted professionals in your area.

4.      Improve indoor air quality

When the temperatures are extreme on either side of the thermostat, your family will probably spend a lot more time indoors. This makes it all the more crucial to ensure that the air you’re breathing is clean and free from mold, dust, and pathogens. Your HVAC system can effectively make, or break, the air quality in your home. The EPA reports that indoor pollutants may be 2-5 times more concentrated than outdoor pollutants. Everything from household dust and pet dander to pollen and mold can threaten your respiratory health without you even knowing it.

HVAC maintenance keeps the air in your home clean and safe in a few different ways. During a maintenance call, the technician will replace your filters and clear your unit of any dust and debris that could make their way into the air. This ensures that the air won’t pick up any debris on its way into your home.  The technician will also check to make sure all hoses and other connections are tight, so that debris can’t enter from outside.

5.      Adapt to changing seasons

After surviving another long, hot Arizona summer, your HVAC system likely gets to take it easy due to milder temperatures in the fall. But, before you know it, the temperatures drop, and chilly evenings have you cranking up the thermostat. If your heater hasn’t been maintained recently, you’re more likely to encounter problems that could leave you shivering. Trying to schedule a repair in the dead of winter is more expensive, stressful, and time consuming than scheduling preventative maintenance in the fall.

A heater typically lays dormant for most of the year, providing ample opportunity for dust and dirt to accumulate. This causes increased wear and tear on the vital components that keep your heater running in top shape. During a maintenance appointment, the heater will be cleaned of any present dust, and important components will be inspected to ensure that they’re still in good working order.  This means that when you turn your heater on for the first time all season, you rely on it with confidence.

6.      Keep energy bills low

When it comes to HVAC systems, skipping maintenance to save a few dollars can come at the expense of increased energy bills. For example, if the ventilation of your HVAC system is obstructed with dirt and debris, the system will have to work harder in order to heat and cool your home. That’s bad news for your energy bills, because an HVAC system that’s working overtime is not a system that’s working efficiently.

Similarly, if you have a hidden refrigerant leak, money may literally be flowing out of your HVAC system without you realizing it. Problems like this are easy to identify during a maintenance call and can be nipped in the bud before they cause costly consequences.

Now’s the time to schedule your maintenance visits

The beginning of the year is the best time to start thinking about scheduling the first of your two yearly maintenance visits. Scheduling early ensures that maintenance is completed before the temperatures start climbing, allowing you to breathe easy knowing that your HVAC system is up to the challenge of another brutal summer. Start the new year off on the right foot and contact Chas Roberts for all your HVAC maintenance needs today.