You should never look at HVAC maintenance as a costly expense. You should view it as a wise investment that can save you a lot of money in the long run, as well as improve your indoor comfort during those hot summers in Ellerslie, Georgia. HVAC maintenance comes in many forms, with some of the tasks being so simple that you can perform them yourself. Changing your system’s air filter regularly and scheduling a tune-up once a year can extend the life of your HVAC system.
Changing the Filter Increases Efficiency
One of the easiest HVAC maintenance tasks is changing the air filter whenever it’s clogged. If you run the HVAC unit with a clogged filter, it will restrict airflow and make the system work harder than it should to heat and cool your home. A system with a clogged filter can suffer excessive wear and tear and will consume large amounts of energy, causing your energy bills to increase.
By changing the filter when it’s dirty, you can extend the life of the unit and increase its efficiency. Changing the filter is also helpful for keeping allergy and asthma symptoms to a minimum. To determine whether your filter is dirty and needs to be changed, hold it up to the light and see if light passes through. If it doesn’t, then you should replace it.
Duct Sealing Decreases Air Loss
When a service tech performs regular HVAC maintenance, you can also have your home’s ductwork assessed for damage. If there are tears or holes in the ductwork, there will be major energy loss. As air escapes through the damaged part of the ductwork, the HVAC system will work overtime to accommodate your temperature preferences.
Similar to a dirty filter, damaged ductwork decreases the efficiency of the HVAC unit and makes it consume more energy than it normally has to. Over time, this can cause the system to fail prematurely. During a maintenance visit, a technician can determine whether to perform duct sealing, which fixes leaks and minimizes energy loss.
Energy Audit Decreases Energy Consumption
You can also request an energy audit, which will extend the life of your HVAC system. During an energy audit, a service tech will inspect your home to determine sources of high energy consumption. Once we identify these sources, we can appropriately address them and adjust your HVAC to maximize its efficiency. When your HVAC unit consumes less energy, it will last longer.
Repairs and Replacements Improve HVAC Functionality
During an HVAC maintenance session, a technician will look for parts that need to be repaired or replaced. Sometimes, repairing or replacing even the smallest parts can greatly improve the overall functionality of the system and improve your indoor comfort. A technician will inspect everything from the evaporator coils to the thermostat. In some instances, the technician may suggest upgrading certain parts, such as replacing a standard thermostat with a programmable version.
With a programmable thermostat, it becomes possible to heat and cool your home with the utmost efficiency. For example, you can minimize your energy consumption by keeping your home at a more moderate temperature when you’re sleeping or away at work. By doing so, you reduce how often the HVAC unit cycles on and off and the amount of energy that it consumes and will extend its life.
How Often Should I Invest in HVAC Maintenance?
Now that you understand the benefits of maintenance and how it can extend the life of your HVAC system, you’re probably wondering how often you should schedule maintenance. Ideally, you will schedule at least one AC and one furnace tune-up each year. It’s during these tune-ups that the technician will flush drain lines, clean the AC or furnace, check fluid levels, and inspect the system for potential problems.
Contact Climate Control Heating & Air Conditioning at 706-405-4796 today to learn more about the many ways that maintenance extends the life of the HVAC unit. You can also speak with a technician about our different maintenance plans.
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