5 Reasons to Invest in Regular HVAC Maintenance

No one wants to be shivering in an ice-cold house during winter or sitting there sweating in a stiflingly hot house during summer. However, this is exactly what can happen when your HVAC system functions poorly or breaks down completely. What’s worse, during peak seasons for broken air conditioners and broken heaters, you may not be able to get same-day or next-day service--at least, not from a reputable HVAC repair company.

When your HVAC system goes out, you may wonder if there was anything that you could have done to prevent the problem. The answer is yes. Regular HVAC maintenance can prevent a lot of problems with your heating and cooling system, as well as the stress and frustration that go with those problems.

In this post, we'll show you several other reasons why it’s wise to invest in regular HVAC maintenance.

1. Save Money

Many people put off regular maintenance on their heating and cooling system thinking it will save them money. This is a common misconception. When you fail to properly maintain your HVAC system, you won't be aware of small problems in the system. Small problems can lead to big problems or a complete breakdown. A complete system replacement or repairs on a serious problem can cost thousands of dollars.

2. Better Air Quality

If your HVAC system has dust, debris, or mold built up in the ductwork or other areas of the system, it could cause or aggravate health problems such as asthma, allergies, or difficulty breathing. Regular maintenance will keep your system clean and help to improve the overall air quality within your home.

3. Live in Comfort

We all want to be comfortable in our own homes. When your heating or cooling system fails, your comfort goes out the window. A perfectly working HVAC system will keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter without excessive strain on the system or on your pocketbook. The harder your system has to work, the less efficient it is. The less efficient your system is, the more it’s going to cost you in utilities. The money you appear to be saving by not getting HVAC maintenance is instead going toward higher utility bills that could’ve been prevented by a properly functioning HVAC system.

4. Extend the Lifetime of Your HVAC Components

There’s a good chance that your HVAC system will be running on almost a daily basis, especially during summer when it will run during the day as well as at night so that you can sleep. At this rate, if properly maintained, your air conditioner will last around 12 to 15 years, and your furnace will last around 20 years. If not properly maintained, you could be replacing a major part of the system--or the whole thing--a lot sooner.

When you consider that replacing an air conditioner and furnace is one of the most expensive purchases homeowners end up making, it makes sense to delay that expense as long as possible. Scheduling at least one tune-up a year can help extend the lifetime of those components. Two tune-ups (one in spring and one in fall) are recommended.

5. Keep Your Warranty up to Date

If your HVAC system is still under warranty and something goes wrong, you will have to submit proof to the manufacturer of annual maintenance in order to be covered. Investing in annual or even more frequent maintenance will keep you covered under the manufacturer's warranty, which could save you a lot of money should anything go wrong.