Buying and maintaining a home is expensive. It doesn’t take long for mortgage, property taxes, utility bills, and maintenance and repair costs to add up, and you may feel house-poor if these costs spiral.
Homeowners spend an average of approximately $3,200 per year on household maintenance costs, but these costs can increase if your household systems aren’t maintained correctly. Whether you bought an older home and want to extend the life of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system or need to find ways to reduce your energy bills, there are some strategies you can use to get the most from your HVAC unit. Let’s look at how to ensure your HVAC system runs efficiently and some reasons it’s crucial to maintain your HVAC system.
How can you improve your HVAC unit’s performance?
While nobody enjoys incurring maintenance costs, investing in biannual HVAC system maintenance will improve your system’s performance. Calling your HVAC company and scheduling maintenance every fall and spring is the most effective way to ensure you get the best from your HVAC system in Elmhurst, IL.
During spring maintenance, certified HVAC technicians focus on your air conditioner. The techs replace the air filters that trap allergens and toxins, preventing them from recirculating through your home. HVAC technicians also clean the drain pan, removing any mold growth inside your HVAC system. Additionally, they clean the condenser coils and inspect all parts. If necessary, they’ll remove any worn or damaged parts.
During fall maintenance, your HVAC technicians focus on your furnace. They check all parts and replace or repair anything that’s damaged. They’ll test your furnace, clean your heater, and replace the air filter.
Your HVAC technicians will also check your supply and return vents and clean the air ducts. They can also check your air circulation and inspect your ductwork for leaks.
Why should you maintain your HVAC system?
Worn parts break down, and routine maintenance is the best way to reduce the risk of a system breakdown during extreme temperatures. Suppose your air conditioner stops working during a heatwave or your furnace dies during a cold snap. First, you’ll have to pay for emergency repair costs, which can be expensive. Additionally, you may need to take your family to a hotel if your home’s extremely hot or cold, adding to your expenses.
Poor HVAC system maintenance can also jeopardize your home and other household systems. Suppose your furnace dies halfway through the winter. Your home’s plumbing pipes could freeze and burst, resulting in thousands of dollars of repair costs.
Worn parts and blocked ducts and filters impact your system’s regular performance. Your energy bills will increase if your HVAC unit has to run for more extended periods to maintain a suitable indoor air temperature in your home. Replacing air filters every 90 days and having your HVAC company clean your ducts enables air to circulate throughout your house, reducing the strain on your HVAC unit.
Investing in HVAC system maintenance can also ensure your system works longer. Without proper maintenance, your system’s more likely to break down sooner, forcing you to install a new furnace and air conditioner prematurely.
Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system can impact your family’s health. HVAC systems draw air in through return vents. The air travels through the ductwork and passes through the air filter. The air temperature is then altered and sent back through ducts to your supply vents.
Air picks up toxins and allergens along the way. Dirty filters and ducts and mold growing inside your air conditioner can spread throughout your home, causing respiratory issues. Using activated carbon filters also reduces the volume of cancer-causing chemicals, such as radon. Routine maintenance services can reduce or eliminate contaminants, improving your indoor air quality.
Getting the best from your HVAC system means ensuring it works correctly for as long as possible. You’ll benefit by reducing your energy bills and system replacement costs while protecting your family’s health.
