When it was new, your home air conditioning system cost a pretty penny to buy and install — and you don’t want to have to do it all over again any time soon.
The best way to keep it running and doing its job well is to take good care of it. HVAC professionals will suggest a schedule for you based on industry-standard preventative maintenance practices.
The reasons for doing so are many, and all of them come back to the same principle: keeping your wallet and your bank account full. It’s far cheaper to pay for a/c maintenance than it is to repair or replace it altogether.
Make the Air Healthier
During an air conditioner maintenance visit, an HVAC technician will clean the blower, change the filter, and ensure all other components are tidy and free of debris.
Without these steps, your air conditioner could be blowing filthy air all over your home, leading to excessive dust build-up, mold issues, and more. Preventative cleaning can help relieve symptoms of breathing issues, like asthma or allergies. Easier breathing could translate to fewer medical bills and doctor visits.
Require Fewer Expensive Repairs
Preventative maintenance, like tuneups and cleanings, can keep your home’s air conditioner running smoothly and catch issues early on before they become seriously big problems.
Because you can address concerns the minute they appear, it pays to keep an eye on your air conditioner and let the professionals take care of it. Air conditioner repairs are par for the course, but they are less overwhelming when you perform maintenance on schedule.
Plan Ahead
One of the best benefits of maintenance is that it can raise a red flag and warn you before you need to make an expensive purchase or pay for a repair.
When you get that heads-up in advance, you can prepare by saving up money for the future that you can dedicate to your air conditioning system. This way, you’re never shocked by how much you owe just to keep your home comfortable.
Go Longer Between Installations
Air conditioner maintenance can extend the life of your system. You’d perform oil changes on your car, rotate the tires, and get new brakes when your vehicle needs it, so you should take care of your home’s HVAC equipment, too.
With the right care, your HVAC system can last up to 20 years, and sometimes even longer. And the longer you can go between purchasing and installing equipment, the better the return on your investment.
Cut Your Energy Bills
An air conditioner that isn’t limping along can actually keep your utility bills more affordable. A well-maintained system is an efficient one.
A system that is trying to compensate for an issue will use more energy than normal to achieve the same air output. The more energy it uses, the higher you bill.
Be Responsible
Besides all these financial-related benefits, you should perform preventative air conditioner maintenance because it’s the right thing to do.
Adulting is hard and can be stressful, but you’ll be even more stressed when you need an expensive system repair or if you have to prematurely replace your home’s air conditioner and condenser unit.
Do the right thing the first time, so you don’t have to suffer the consequences later. Skipping out on maintenance almost always comes back to bite you.
Get on a Maintenance Plan
To help you ensure you’re taking care of your home’s HVAC system, look for local service providers who offer service agreements. These agreements are basically like a special membership that guarantees you two maintenance visits per year to keep your equipment running well.
Many service agreements also include priority scheduling for house calls, should you ever have an issue, as well as discounts on repairs and the purchase of new equipment. Of course, service agreements can vary, so be sure to read the benefits before signing up.
During your scheduled maintenance visit, you can likely expect the technician to do the following:
- Replace your air filter
- Test the electric connection
- Review safety devices
- Lubricate all the moving parts
- Conduct airflow tests
- Test the refrigerant level
- Check the coil temperature
- Clean your equipment
- Check your thermostat
- Test the blower
- Inspect visible ductwork
To find a great HVAC service near you, ask your neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family members for their recommendations, and read online reviews. Then, make a call right away to get help taking care of your home the proper way.
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