Better Late Than Never, but Never Late Is Better! Get Maintenance on Your HVAC Today

When was the last time you had your HVAC system serviced? If the answer is never, don’t worry — you’re in good company. The vast majority of homeowners don’t properly maintain their air conditioning units, but just like taking your vehicle in to get the oil changed and tires rotated, regular maintenance will extend your AC’s useful lifespan, boost its energy efficiency, and squeeze more heating and cooling performance out of it. Not only will you reduce the number of necessary repairs down the road, but because annual plans often include savings on other types of service, you could save big on equipment replacements and new installations!

Before the Heating and Cooling Seasons

We recommend maintenance in the spring and fall for one simple reason: to find any issues before you really need your system. Problems like coolant leaks can start off small without any discernible impact until your system suddenly stops blowing cold air when it’s 95 degrees outside. Heat waves and cold snaps are when you most need your system to work, but temperature extremes place enormous stress on your system. Regular maintenance is the only proven way to help prevent breakdowns.

Preventative service begins with a top-to-bottom inspection including ductwork, coolant lines, electrical wiring, air handler, and compressor. Technicians quickly inspect each component’s exterior for obvious signs of damage before popping off the air handler’s metal cover and compressor’s protective box to take a closer look at the equipment inside. A pressure gauge helps identify coolant leaks, which can occur in attics and other relatively inaccessible areas.

Your technician will replace your system’s air filters, check the UV bulb to ensure that it is still killing mold and bacteria in your air handler, lubricate the fan, and perform a dozen other tasks to make sure that your HVAC system is up to the task of working under any conditions — from the coldest blizzard to the hottest drought.

Homeowner Tips

Whether you have a heat pump or conventional air conditioning system, there are a few steps that you can complete on your own. Each of these tasks takes only a minute or two:

• Keep at least two feet around your compressor clear of grass or weeds
• Replace air filters if they clog up with pet fur or dust
• Inspect the condensate line monthly to ensure proper drainage

That’s all there is to it! Taking a few minutes each month to complete these three tasks will keep your system working at its advertised SEER rating and reduce stress on the system, which can help prevent breakdowns and elevated wear.

Maximizing Performance and Energy Savings

The main reason for scheduling preventative service is to prevent sudden breakdowns and costly repairs, but you will enjoy a number of other benefits from regularly servicing your air conditioner and furnace. Because your system will last longer, you won’t need to replace it as often, and properly maintained systems last 25 percent longer on average compared to neglected units.

Your system will also function more efficiently, and you’ll use less electricity or fuel to generate the same amount of heating and cooling. Thanks to the increased efficiency alone, service plans typically pay for themselves several times over each year, and if you do end up needing repairs, you’ll save money on equipment and labor as well.

One final benefit is impossible to quantify, but it’s no less important. Regular service will keep you and your family more comfortable. Your AC will more easily keep your home’s relative humidity at comfortable levels, and it will remove more dust and other allergens from the air. If you leave the air conditioner off while you’re at work and don’t turn it on until late afternoon, it will cool your home more quickly.

Ready to make your HVAC system run like it did when it was first installed? Call us at (772) 905-3358 if you live in the Port St. Lucie area or (561) 202-1422 if you’re located near Palm Beach to speak to one of our licensed professionals.