Scheduling a maintenance visit from a heating and cooling professional isn’t always the most convenient activity for homeowners. It can take time out of your day—in the short run—and the visit could cost you a little money up front. But professionals suggest getting this done at least once a year, so we wanted to list some of the thoughts behind that. Here are three great reasons to get your HVAC tune up and checked:
Save Time and Money
When your A/C and heating system works harder than it has to, it’s going to cost you more on your energy bill. Preventative maintenance can help your system run as efficiently as possible, saving you up to 30% on your heating and cooling expenses.
And it’s not just your energy bill that you have to consider. Regular maintenance can also cut down on expensive breakdowns, or keep you from having to prematurely buy a whole new system. And if your system is covered by a warranty, you may void that coverage by not having regular maintenance performed. It’s a good idea to read though your warranty to find out.
Additionally, you might consider signing up for a regular maintenance plan with an HVAC contractor. Many these days offer special incentives such as discounted parts and labor, priority scheduling and maintenance reminders when you sign up—click here for some helpful tips on choosing a contractor.
And take a few minutes to find out if your area’s utility company has any special offers. Many provide free or discounted tune-ups once a year that you won’t want to miss out on.
Boost Safety and Comfort
Typically, the air quality indoors is poorer than what you can breathe outside. Airborne pollutants inside can be up to five times higher in the average home, according to the EPA. Pollutants such as mold, dust, pollen and chemicals from household products are all contributing factors. But you can cut down on these air spoilers when you make moves to get you HVAC system in tip-top shape.
And a properly running HVAC system can keep you and your home protected from the cold, as well. Frozen and burst pipes, for example, cost homeowners in the U.S. millions of dollars each year—an especially problematic situation when you’re away from home. Products such as smart thermostats can do wonders to help automatically regulate temperatures when you’re gone. But they won’t be able to do much good if your HVAC system is malfunctioning. The best you can hope for is an alert that something has gone wrong.
And did you know your heating system can leak carbon monoxide into your home? Defective heat exchangers in heaters are one of the top reasons this dangerous gas is leaked into living spaces. Regular maintenance checks can help ferret out such issues before they become a danger to you and your family.
And let’s not forget about comfort, as a system in good order will help move air more efficiently through your home, making each space more livable in any season.
Be Kind to Our Planet
HVAC system builders have made their systems more and more efficient over the years, but heating and cooling still make up the single biggest energy expense for U.S. homes—at about 48%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
And although we’ve developed greener methods to create electricity—solar and wind, come to mind—burning fossil fuels is still the No. 1 way we produce energy in the U.S. And that has had an affect on our planet, as these fuel sources put greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. You can reduce your carbon footprint and help protect the planet when you make sure your system is running efficiently.
And a heating and cooling contractor can also make sure you’re using an updated refrigerant for the cooling part of your system. Types used before 2010 are known to contribute to ozone depletion. And if you’ve got the outdated version, they’ll replace it with something a little friendlier to Mother Nature’s skies.
