Your HVAC system works hard to keep you warm in the blustery winters and cool in the scorching summers in northern Virginia. Consider how much effort it takes for your furnace to keep your home at a comfortable temperature during some of the most extreme times. When your HVAC system quits on you, your personal comfort is at stake. With simple preventative maintenance and tune-ups handled by a professional, reliable, and skilled technician at Meade’s Heating and Air, you can keep your HVAC system operating at peak levels. Experts recommend annual HVAC maintenance for many reasons, some of which we will explain here.
Increase the Lifespan of Your System
Your HVAC system contains a heating unit, an air conditioner, and ductwork. This entire system is expensive, and replacement costs are nothing to scoff at. By hiring a technician to perform preventative maintenance on a routine schedule, you can prolong the life of your HVAC system. Your furnace should last 10-20 years, depending on the make and model. To maximize it’s lifespan, you need to take good care of it. Just like oil changes and brake pads on a car, your furnace needs occasional maintenance to keep running. Without proper routine maintenance and tune-ups, you could be shopping for a replacement much sooner than expected.
Lower Your Utility Bills
Routine HVAC maintenance improves your HVAC system’s energy efficiency, allowing you to save on your monthly utility bills. Schedule annual HVAC maintenance with a professional technician to ensure your unit runs as it should. A single malfunctioning component has the potential to reduce your efficiency, making routine maintenance a sound investment. During maintenance, your technician will inspect connections, clean the unit as needed, check the mechanical parts, and make all necessary repairs. This maintenance and tune-up will help your HVAC system operate efficiently for lower heating and cooling costs. Instead of treating HVAC maintenance like an added expense, consider it an investment in your home’s energy efficiency capabilities.
Pay for Fewer Unexpected Repairs
During the HVAC maintenance and tune-up, your skilled technician will look for any wear and tear to your furnace or air conditioner. Some damage to your system can be repaired easily when found early. Repairs may prevent further damage to other parts of the unit or total failure of your HVAC system. This preventative care helps you spot problems before they become catastrophic. Neglecting your HVAC system can lead to high repair costs, especially if you need emergency service. Take care of the little problems now to lower your risk of hefty repair bills in the future.
Better Indoor Air Quality
Your HVAC system contains an air filter that blocks dust, dirt, and allergens from circulating through your home. This air filter needs to be changed at least once per year. Changing the filter is often a routine part of your annual maintenance. If the filter is not changed, it may fill with dust and debris and become clogged. When this happens, the filter can no longer keep your air clean. Additionally, the furnace air filter helps keep your heating unit clean and removes dust from the air blowing around your house. One quick sign of a clogged filter is dust accumulating in your home more quickly than usual.
Protect Your Warranty Coverage
New furnaces and central air conditioning units often come with a warranty from the manufacturer. This warranty typically covers mechanical failure for a specified period after purchase. Although we expect such a large and pricey appliance to last, it is inevitable that some units will fail prematurely. With a warranty, you are covered for many mechanical issues, meaning you won’t pay money out of your own pocket for repairs. However, warranties often carry a requirement for annual HVAC maintenance in order for the coverage to remain valid. If you fail to have a professional HVAC technician provide yearly maintenance, you could void the warranty. A warranty that becomes void can mean a huge dent in your wallet should your furnace or air conditioner stop working and need repairs.
Comply with Insurance Requirements
As a homeowner, you likely have an insurance policy that covers your home and belongings in the event of disaster. These disasters may include weather, fire, and other damages to your property. Your furnace is a large appliance with electrical and gas connections. These connections translate into a risk of personal injury, fire, or explosion. Although the risk is low and rare, it does exist. As part of the annual HVAC maintenance process, the technician will check these connections for any damage. This includes exposed wires, loose connections, or leaks in the gas line. If you skip out on your yearly HVAC maintenance, you could lose certain coverages on your homeowner’s insurance policy. Your insurance company may refuse to cover any damages caused by a faulty furnace or air conditioner.
Home Climate Comfort
Imagine sitting at home on a cold winter day and your furnace suddenly stops working. Now what? You’ll have to make a call, hoping you can get a technician out to your house quickly. In the meantime, you’re left shivering as you pile on layers to stay warm. Sound like a good time? Probably not. With annual HVAC maintenance, you can keep your furnace running smoothly by checking a few things. Your technician will run down a checklist of items to inspect. The technician may identify components that are no longer up to par and need to be replaced. Without proper preventative maintenance, your furnace may struggle to keep the temperature in your home at a comfortable level.
Safety
Your HVAC system runs on electricity and often natural gas. Electricity is complex and electrical wiring and connections should be inspected regularly to assess safety. Faulty electrical wiring can lead to electrical shock, electrocution, and fire. Your natural gas lines leading to your furnace should also be inspected regularly. Gas lines that are damaged or not properly and securely connected can lead to a gas leak. Gas leaks can be dangerous to your health and pose a risk of fires or explosions. As part of your annual HVAC maintenance, your technician will inspect the electrical and gas lines to ensure your safety.
You should be able to rely on your HVAC system during even the most extreme outdoor temperatures. You want to stay comfortable inside your home, and your heating and cooling units should provide you with that luxury. However, you need to care for the system properly to increase your odds of home comfort. Hire a professional HVAC technician for annual maintenance, inspection, and tune-up of your system to identify damage, safety risks, and maintain warranty and insurance coverages. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way in saving you money, protecting your belongings, and staying comfortable at home.
Call Meade’s Heating and Air today to schedule your HVAC maintenance and rest easy knowing you’ll stay warm through the northern Virginia winter.
