From The Blog

4 Ways to Maintain your HVAC System

No matter the age of your home – and more pertinently – no matter the age of your heating and cooling system, it is always a good idea to maintain consistent service and upkeep on HVAC unit and ductwork.

Doing so – either yourself or through a professional contractor – will allow you to head off bigger issues that could spell big trouble and have you scrambling to find AC heating repair with your entire comfort system malfunctioning.

The question is, how do you determine the best method of maintaining your HVAC system?

The solution is based on a number of factors:

Time

Learning how to maintain routine service on your own air conditioner is not as daunting as you may think, and if you are at all mechanically inclined, you will be able to figure it out with some determination and study. However, learning all aspects of service is not something that you can learn in a matter of minutes. And while replacing your air filters may be a simple chore, learning how to properly clean condenser coils and oil your fan motor will take some more dedication on your part. And in today’s fast-paced world, time is often at a premium.

Money

Professional service contracts are generally not very expensive, but if you’re looking to save money, this certainly a feature of professional HVAC contractors that you may consider unnecessary. Annual contracts range from $150-$500 and include many different features. And if you have bought a new system that is under warranty, you will be able to have major repairs made at no cost. However, DO NOT mistake saving money with avoiding service. Whether you get someone else to do it or do it yourself, you should service your air conditioner and heating unit at least twice year. In fact, industry standards suggest you should replace your home’s HVAC air filter every 90 days – and more often if you have pets or allergies.

Age of your system

Frankly, this is NEVER a good reason not to maintain service on your home’s HVAC system. However, some believe that, once they install a new system, that it should run completely hands-off for years. And, of course, the newer your system, the more likely it will run for months, maybe years, at a time without incident. However, the longer you ignore it, the longer you not only risk break down but also the health of your family. Have you ever looked at a clogged air filter? Think about all the particles that flow through your house on a given day. A new air filter scrubs many of those things from the air and makes life that much more enjoyable. And that’s not to mention other factors involved that could be even more hazardous, specifically with your furnace/heater. If you have a gas furnace it is certainly a good idea to look at the burners with regularity and ensure that they are burning correctly. There is a chance that a malfunctioning burner could produce carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.

Finding the right AC Heating Repair professional

Many people want to have a professional handle all methods AC/heating service and repair but simply don’t know where to start when looking for a contractor. There are several steps that will ensure you find a reliable service option. Those include:

    • Polling friends and neighbors to see who they use/recommend

    • Checking to see if the company is NATE certified

    • Calling for a free quote – any company worth its salt will come to you and give you a free estimate on service or repair issues (not just do it over the phone)

    • Do they offer discounted or 24/7 emergency services to the contract customers?

    • How do they treat customers? You can learn this by a phone call and then the visit of any technician/service provider

Answer these questions, and you’ll be sure to find the right answer for you – whether you want to handle AC/heating servicing on your own. You should know, however, that if you do not service your system – no matter its age, make or capacity – you will eventually find yourself facing AC/heating repair concerns. Servicing your HVAC unit will prolong the life of the system and ensure lower costs in the long range, as you stretch the life of your unit

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