It’s a mistake not to schedule HVAC service until there’s a problem. The industry recommendation is to schedule seasonal maintenance. That includes a cooling tune-up in the spring and a heating tune-up in the fall. There are safety reasons for this, such as if you have a fuel-burning system that creates toxic gases as a byproduct. Another important reason is efficiency. That can reduce your carbon footprint and lower your cooling and heating bills. Let’s explore how tune-ups can save you money over an entire year.
Lower Cooling Bills
In warmer areas of the U.S., many homeowners use their air conditioners year-round. AC is often a requirement starting in May and extending through September. It’s also not unusual to experience those unexpected hot days even during the cooler months. All ACs and heat pumps have evaporator and condenser coils. Those coils are integral to the refrigeration process. Dirt and other grime build up on them over time and make the heat exchange less efficient. That causes the system to work harder and use more electricity. During a tune-up, your technician will also lubricate the condenser pump and other moving parts and tighten electrical connections.
Lower Heating Bills
Tune-ups lower heating costs as well. Many homes in hot climates heat their homes with heat pumps. Heat pumps are essentially ACs that can run the refrigeration process in reverse. A tune-up helps a heat pump be more efficient for the same reasons it does an AC. Furnaces are also common for both primary and auxiliary heat. The annual fuel utilization efficiency ratio measures the efficiency of fuel-burning furnaces. Consider that a standard modern furnace has an AFUE rating of around 80. That means it only successfully converts 80% of the fuel it burns into home heating. Combustion equipment builds up carbon deposits and other grime over time. That can cause the efficiency to go down an additional 10% or even more.
Thermostat Accuracy
During seasonal maintenance, your technician will clean your thermostat. Even something as simple as dirty contacts under the faceplate can affect temperature sensing. If your thermostat is reading inaccurately, it can cause the system to cycle longer and more frequently than it should. That impacts your wallet through additional operating costs and increased wear and tear. Thermostat issues can be even more problematic if using a programmable or smart thermostat. Advanced thermostat control can save the average household up to 10% annually on heating and cooling. Many units have smart features, such as energy monitoring, that can help you save even more.
Higher Efficiency for Ancillary HVAC Equipment
You may have ancillary HVAC equipment that needs servicing too. An excellent example is a whole-home dehumidifier. In warmer climates, dehumidifiers are a popular add-on for comfort but also because they improve AC efficiency and lower AC wear. That said, a dehumidifier uses electricity too. Without regular care, it can consume a lot more than it should.
Duct Health
Well-maintained ductwork will have less than 5% air leakage. If there are duct issues, such as worn seals, air leakage can be between 20% and 40%. That’s a substantial amount of energy loss every time you run your heating or cooling. During a tune-up, a technician will perform a visual inspection of your ducts. That will reveal any major air leakage problems. Every other year, we recommend scheduling a duct camera inspection alongside your maintenance appointment. That will reveal less obvious problems with your ducts that may require cleaning, sealing, or repair.
Proactive Repairs
A seasonal tune-up involves a multipoint inspection of the relevant equipment. During this process, your technician can identify worn parts that will soon fail. You may, for instance, have old bearings in the blower that need replacement. If a technician finds anything like that, perform proactive repairs and replacements right away. Left unattended, those problems will often worsen and become more expensive to fix. Part wear can also put additional strain on other components and thereby extend the scope of the problem.
Avoid Unexpected Repairs
Many of the most common HVAC repair issues are avoidable through seasonal tune-ups. Your technician will be the first one to run your system each year. That makes issues like the unit not turning on or a stuck reversing valve uncommon. You’ll also avoid issues like tripped circuit breakers, short cycling, weak airflow, and so forth.
Longer Equipment Lifespan
The average life span of a furnace is about 15 years. This means that many are failing within 10 years. In some cases, there was an unavoidable manufacturing defect. In most cases, however, there is a problem that the owners could have avoided through maintenance. There are furnaces that last 20 and even 30 years, and that usually indicates they were well maintained. Another benefit is that well-maintained systems age more gracefully. HVAC systems can lose up to 1% of efficiency every year through normal use. Maintenance helps to slow that process, which is important. It doesn’t matter if your furnace lasts 25 years if it’s gobbling a lot more fuel in the process.
HVAC Warranties
Homeowners are often surprised to learn that their HVAC warranties require maintenance. If yours does, you’ll find that information in the fine print. The reason for this requirement is that routine maintenance helps to avoid repairs and extend system life. By requiring their customers to schedule maintenance, manufacturers lower the claim rate. Check what maintenance your warranty requires and discuss it with your HVAC technician. After your technician completes the tune-up, they’ll provide documentation of all services performed. Should you ever need to file a claim, those documents will be the proof you need. Without that proof, a manufacturer can deny your claim.
HVAC Maintenance Plans
Many HVAC companies that perform seasonal tune-ups offer a membership plan. You can often pay for these plans monthly or annually. They typically include two appointments a year: heating maintenance and cooling maintenance. Often, the total cost of the tune-ups will be more affordable than if you had scheduled them separately. Another advantage is that you don’t have to worry about forgetting and skipping much-needed maintenance. Your provider will handle the remembering. They’ll call you in advance to schedule a date and time convenient for you. Such plans often come with additional perks as well. Those can include discounts on repairs, priority emergency service, and extended repair and installation warranties.
Schedule Seasonal HVAC Maintenance in Dallas
Precision Heating & Air is a family-owned and -operated HVAC company that serves Dallas, GA and the surrounding areas. Our NATE-certified technicians perform maintenance for all HVAC brands and models, and we offer a maintenance plan that can help you save on tune-ups and repairs. Our repair technicians are available around the clock for emergencies. We install and service all heating and cooling technologies, including furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, and ductless mini-splits. Our team can provide information on installation rebates and tax credits.
We also install, repair, seal, and clean ducts. Count on us for thermostats, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, and other indoor air quality equipment as well. In addition, we have electricians who install and service standby generators and plumbers who install and service tank and tankless water heaters. If you have questions or want to schedule a service appointment or consultation, contact us today.
