You rely heavily on your HVAC system for comfort throughout the seasons. But did you know your HVAC system relies on you for routine care and preventative maintenance? You might be surprised to learn what services are needed, how often you need to schedule them, and all the benefits you’ll enjoy when you give your HVAC system this extra attention.
What Is Routine Maintenance and How Often Do I Need It?
The first part of routine maintenance involves things that homeowners can tackle alone. Maintenance tasks you can do at home include changing the air filter at least once every three months and cleaning the outside of your heating and cooling units. Your air filter is necessary for stopping dust and allergens that can create poor air quality and a heavier workload for your system. You should also remove debris from the top and around your outside air conditioning unit and ensure a two- to three-foot clearance on all sides.
Beyond these simple tasks, you’ll need help from a professional HVAC technician. Expert technicians recommend inspection and maintenance once a year for the best benefits. During this visit, your technician will take a comprehensive look at your system and make any tweaks necessary to give you efficient and safe heating and cooling.
Benefits of Annual Maintenance and Inspection
The benefits of routine preventative maintenance greatly outweigh the time and money involved. Remember to schedule this service once a year to enjoy these benefits.
Greater Energy Efficiency
A properly maintained heating and cooling system will operate more efficiently than a neglected HVAC system. During inspection and maintenance, your technician will identify damaged and worn components that could cause your system to work harder or lead to more extensive destruction. The technician may also lubricate certain moving parts to prevent wear and tear from friction inside the machines. Clean air filters and units contribute to energy efficiency as well. When air filters are clogged, they no longer prevent dust and debris from entering your HVAC machines. When the machines are dirty, they must work harder to produce and move conditioned air. When all parts of the heating and cooling system are in good operating condition, your system uses less energy to make your home comfortable.
Better Indoor Air Quality
Over time, dust, dirt, and other debris may build up on and in your heater and air conditioner. The air filters in your HVAC system trap these contaminants and keep them from spreading around your house. If the filters become excessively dirty, they may clog and be unable to perform their job. The blocked filters would allow dust and allergens to enter your HVAC system. Once in the system, these contaminants will join the conditioned air and spread through the ductwork around your home. A clean system provides better air for easy breathing and possibly even better sleep at night. Good indoor air quality is especially important for people who suffer from allergies or have certain conditions such as asthma or compromised immune systems.
Greater Comfort
When your HVAC system is in optimal operating condition, you’ll enjoy greater comfort in your home. If your system is sluggish due to damaged or worn parts, you may experience hot or cold spots in different parts of the house. You may also find that your system cannot sufficiently heat or cool your home. Insufficient or uneven heating and cooling could also be due to loose power connections or a buildup of dirt and debris. Although not part of the annual maintenance visit, you can schedule professional duct cleaning if your ductwork seems to be causing a problem.
Reduced Risk of Unexpected Breakdowns
When the parts of your HVAC system are inspected and tuned, you’ll have a much lower risk of the system breaking down unexpectedly. During maintenance, the technician will inspect belts for signs of cracks or loose fit, clear the condensate drain on your AC to prevent clogs, and check the refrigerant in your unit to ensure there is enough and that there are no leaks. All these tasks and more help prevent breakdowns down the road that may leave you sweating through the summer heat or bundling up during the winter months.
Extend the Lifespan of Your System
When you care for your HVAC system on a regular basis, the individual parts and components of the system will last longer. Spotting signs of failure early could help reduce excessive damage later on. There are also certain tasks your technician performs that are specifically designed to get more life out of your system. These tasks include lubrication of moving parts and preventing water backups. If your heating and cooling units work efficiently and safely, you’ll get a longer life out of your system.
Greater Safety
Electricity and gas are used to power HVAC systems. During inspection and maintenance, your HVAC technician will inspect all components related to electricity and gas. The technician will look for frayed or damaged wires and cords, and replace any that pose a threat to your system, your home, or your family. Loose or damaged electrical wiring can result in shock, electrocution, or electrical fire. Gas connections should be tight and secure to prevent leaks. Gas leaks can cause illness or even death when left undetected and create a risk of explosions.
Cleaner Home
A cleaner and efficient HVAC system leads to a cleaner home by preventing dust and dirt from spreading through your vents. You’ll find less dust buildup in your home when you change your air filters regularly and keep your heating and cooling units clean. Letting your air filters fill up with dust allows your heating and cooling system to spread the dust the filters can no longer trap around your house. Without maintenance, you may find keeping your home dust-free impossible.
Save Money
Most of the benefits of annual HVAC maintenance translate into saving you money. When your system operates more efficiently, it consumes less energy which leads to lower utility bills. Cutting down on unexpected breakdowns can save you money on repair bills by eliminating the need for emergency service and preventing more damage than the original faulty component. Heating and cooling units are relatively expensive to replace, so you’ll want to avoid having to install new machines as long as possible. Extending the life of your units helps you save money by replacing them less often.
You’ll want to keep your HVAC system running efficiently and safely all through the year to enjoy greater comfort and peace of mind. Let our expert technicians at Protek Roofing, Heating, Air & Solar help you with annual inspection and maintenance so that you can sit back and enjoy all the benefits it provides. In addition to heating and cooling maintenance, our experienced technicians are ready to tackle HVAC repairs and replacements. This includes services for air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, and mini-split systems. We also specialize in indoor air quality services and roofing.
Count on our skilled technicians at Protek Roofing, Heating, Air & Solar in Tampa to provide high-quality and comprehensive HVAC maintenance.
