How to Take Advantage of HVAC Seasonality
Fall and spring are typically down times for HVAC systems. At this point of the year, the air is neither too hot nor too cold, letting homeowners give their systems a rest.
This brief break is also the perfect period to give your systems a seasonal checkup. Once the weather becomes hot or cold, thousands of people discover their systems are not working and need repairs. Others do not notice problems, only to have the systems break down in the middle of the most extreme conditions of the year.
Take advantage of the spring and fall lulls by having your system inspected by a professional HVAC service and repair technician. They can reduce the likelihood of your system having problems by as much as 90 percent, and they can also perform regular maintenance that keeps the systems running efficiently and safely all season long.
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Regular System Maintenance Procedures
Calling your local HVAC experts to inspect your system before it will see heavy use just makes sense. They will inspect the system for signs of trouble before anything overheats or breaks down. Catching small problems early can prevent more costly components like your condenser or compressor from needing premature replacement, which can cost $1,000 or more.
In addition to inspecting the systems, the technician will perform routine procedures that ensure optimum performance and prevent dangerous conditions. These tasks include tightening connections, lubricating bearings, replacing small parts, checking electrical systems and cleaning dust off of coils and blower elements.
Even just a 1/10 an inch of dust on coils and other parts can reduce system efficiency by 5 percent or more. Worse, accumulated dust on furnace elements can cause the unit to malfunction, potentially overheating or igniting with catastrophic consequences. This risk makes spending a few hundred dollars’ worth every penny to prevent severe fire damage or gas leaks.
Ducts should also be inspected for loose connections, cracks or tears. Even small punctures can permit vermin to enter, making the family sick when the systems are turned on.
Why Spring and Fall?
After a full season of running and then another of sitting idle, your AC or furnace is likely to have experienced some wear. Dust in particular will build up during the season and settle once the systems are off.
Homeowners should have their AC inspected in the spring and furnace inspected in the fall to have them running optimally and prepared for the pressures of the season ahead. This tune up will increase their efficiency and ensure homeowners are not wasting 20 percent or more of their energy costs on barely making the home more comfortable. These adjustments also help systems to run stronger and longer, extending system life by years in some instances.
Contacting an HVAC technician in advance of the season also ensures that they will be available before you are desperate and their call volume is high. Consider the savings earned during spring or fall best re-invested in keeping your systems running as they should be.
Maintenance Plans
Many HVAC contractors will be able to offer a regular service schedule for a discount. These plans can help homeowners save money and keep on top of seasonal inspections. Some plans even offer discounts on minor repairs or part replacements at the provider’s discretion.
Best of all, establishing a relationship with a local HVAC company can allow your system to be monitored long-term, keeping it running longer and discovering changes in performance more readily. They may even respond more quickly to your calls since you are a valued, long-term client.
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