Your HVAC system is one of the most important and expensive systems in your home. Your ductwork and HVAC equipment work together to deliver comfortable, clean air throughout your home all year long. Depending on the demands of the season, your system works hard to combat the harsh temperatures outside. During the heat and humidity of a blazing summer day or the frigid chill of a winter night, you don’t want to wonder if your HVAC system is going to be able to keep up. Regular maintenance can give you peace of mind that your system will deliver reliably comfortable air.
No matter what season it is, you depend on your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable. Similarly, you depend on your car to take you to work every day. To ensure that your car works every day, you probably have the oil changed and perform regular tune-ups. If you want to be able to depend on your HVAC system the same way, you’ll want to service it regularly as well. Most manufacturers recommend that you schedule HVAC maintenance at least once a year to inspect and clean your system. Let’s take a closer look at regular HVAC maintenance.
When should you schedule regular HVAC maintenance?
As discussed, most manufacturers suggest that you have both your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. However, you should have the air conditioning and heating elements inspected at two different times. It is beneficial to have your cooling equipment checked in the spring and schedule service for your heating elements in the fall.
As a best practice, you should have your HVAC equipment serviced before the high demands of the cooling and heating seasons. Depending on where you live, seasonal conditions might appear earlier or later in the year. As a general rule, you should consider having your air conditioner examined in the early spring and your heat pump or furnace checked in early fall. Performing routine maintenance early will allow you to correct any issues before you need the equipment and give you peace of mind throughout the season.
What is involved in regular maintenance?
The processes for providing your home with hot and cold air are different and require separate equipment. When a technician services your air conditioner, they will thoroughly inspect and clean the equipment. The technician will ensure that your system is safe, functional, and efficient by checking things like temperature differentiation, refrigerant level, safety controls, condenser condition, and evaporator coils. As the summer season can see an increase in airborne allergens like pollen, regular maintenance will also include a check of your air filter and ductwork to ensure proper airflow and quality indoor air.
Service for your heat pump or furnace will look very similar in the fall. The technician will ensure peak efficiency by cleaning the equipment and checking airflow. In the fall, the HVAC technician will check the system’s heat mode and defrost cycle, ignition and burner assemblies, and look at the heat exchanger. Depending on your equipment, some things will be different for gas or electric units. In both the spring and fall, annual maintenance will ensure that your system runs at peak performance.
What are the benefits of HVAC maintenance?
Most experts agree that the average HVAC system should last about 20 years. With proper care and maintenance plans, however, you might be able to increase the lifespan of your equipment by several years. Regular service in the spring and fall will catch and address any issues that impact the health of your unit and pose a risk for larger system failure. The technician will also ensure that the system is free from any performance or energy efficiency issues. Throughout each season, regular maintenance will ensure that your system delivers clean and comfortable air.
As part of routine HVAC maintenance, homeowners can change air filters regularly and ensure that vents and equipment are free from debris. From following a maintenance schedule to having your systems checked every spring and fall, you can ensure that your home stays healthy, safe, and comfortable year-round.