Why Preventative Maintenance is So Important:
Did you know regular HVAC maintenance has the potential to reduce the risk of high-cost breakdowns by as much as 95%? Just like regular maintenance on a vehicle, heating and cooling systems need tune-ups to keep them operating at their best.
Read on to learn about the importance of preventative maintenance, and our HVAC tips to get the most out of your home system.
1. Extends System Life Expectancy
Preventative maintenance is a crucial step in maximizing the life expectancy and performance of your heating and cooling system. With proper care, your furnace or air conditioner system can last up to 15 to even 20 years! Think about it, you wouldn’t drive your car for 25,000 miles without an oil change, right? You can almost guarantee you’d run into trouble. The same logic applies to your home system.
Tip: To get the most out of your investment, and to greatly increase the chances of a long life expectancy, we recommend scheduling preventative maintenance visits twice per year (in the spring and fall) with a Certified HVAC Professional.
2. Improves Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Did you know that indoor levels of airborne pollutants can be significantly higher than outdoor levels? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that airborne pollutants can be 2-5 times higher indoors. And with Americans spending on average 90% of their time inside, this is something to think about. Air quality is important, and bad air quality is especially harmful if you or any family members suffer from respiratory issues such as asthma.
Over time, things like pet dander, mold, and dust can build up, worsening IAQ and even triggering asthma and allergy attacks. Your home system uses filters to trap airborne pollutants. If your filters aren’t changed on a regular basis, they will eventually become clogged. This will not only effect the performance of your system and cause unnecessary strain, but also will prevent your system from trapping and reducing indoor air pollutants. During a preventative maintenance visit, your HVAC technician will inspect your home system’s filters, and replace as needed.
Tip: During heavy use months, change your filters monthly. For off-peak times, change your filters at least every 3 months.
3. Lowers Energy Costs / Saves Money
A professional service technician will perform a full system inspection to ensure your HVAC system is working at max efficiency. We recommend maintenance twice per year to not only stop potential issues in their tracks, which will save you time and money, but also to keep your system properly cleaned and free of debris. If not cleaned at least once per year, your heating or cooling system could lose up to 40 percent of its energy efficiency. Also, if you turn your heating system on in the fall season without properly cleaning the fans, all that dust and debris that have collected while it has been sitting idle will blow directly into your home. We highly recommend leaving internal system maintenance to a professional service technician; it’s a messy job and can damage your system if it’s not done correctly.
Preventative maintenance your system is the best thing you can do to reduce your energy bills, and save you more money in the long-run.
Tip: Check your outdoor unit to make sure it is free of debris. Overtime, shrubs, vines, and other debris can grow or build up around your unit, limiting its air flow and making it work harder to heat or cool your home.
4. Helps the Environment
In addition to saving you money on energy costs, preventative maintenance increases energy efficiency of your home system. A well-maintained heating or cooling system consumes considerably less fuel, which is better for our pocket books — and our planet.
Tip: To maximize energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact, we recommend upgrading to a higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) system.
5. Offers Greater Peace of Mind
Lastly, investing in a preventative maintenance plan gives you the assurance of knowing that you’ve done all that you can to keep your system operating at it’s best. You’ll save yourself time, improve your home’s indoor air quality, and greatly reduce the chance of costly repairs in the future. With proper maintenance, your heating and cooling system will be ready to take on whatever Maryland weather extremes are thrown its way.
Tip: Find a trusted HVAC contractor in your area that offers Preventative Maintenance Plans and find the best option for your home’s needs and budget.
Live in the Chesapeake Bay Area? We’re Here to Help.
Whether you’re protecting a new HVAC investment or improving the efficiency of an aging HVAC system, a maintenance plan with Chesapeake Comfort Systems is a great way to manage energy expenses and protect you and your family from system failures during extreme weather conditions. We have multiple plan options to fit every home and budget.
Chesapeake Comfort Systems is a reliable, professional HVAC contractor you can trust. Your comfort is our #1 priority. With a passion for service coupled with an extensive knowledge in the industry, we pride ourselves on offering the very best quality and value in heating and cooling service.
If your home is located in one of our many Service Areas, then Contact Us today to schedule a preventative maintenance visit.