No matter if you are ready or not, the summer months and warm weather is fading fast. For many around the country, this means that the heating season is just around the corner. With the arrival of fall comes the anticipation of changing leaf colors, pumpkin spice, and sweater weather. It also means cooler temperatures and inevitable heating costs. When the winter chill arrives, will your HVAC system be ready for the demands? Your HVAC system is the workhorse of your home year-round.
Depending on where you live, however, the winter cold could be pretty taxing on your system. Fall is the perfect time to have your equipment serviced and ensure that your heating system will keep your family warm and comfortable during the winter.
Fall is the best time of year to perform seasonal maintenance, as you will still have time to correct any issues before it gets cold. Just as drivers typically have their car serviced and checked out before taking a long road trip, homeowners should have their HVAC unit inspected before the long winter. To make sure that it is running at peak performance, you should have your system checked seasonally. Preventative maintenance is the best way to catch any problems and ensure that you are getting maximum efficiency from your equipment. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of investing in a fall HVAC tune-up.
Lower Energy Bills
For many people, the winter months can bring ice and snow along with below-freezing temperatures. This can lead to significant energy bills during the cold season. Regular maintenance on your heating system, however, can help reduce your energy costs. Normal wear and tear throughout the year can lead to small problems. Many of these issues may go unnoticed as they don’t cause your equipment to malfunction. Meanwhile, however, your HVAC system has to work harder and expend more energy.
When your system uses more energy to heat your home, it significantly impacts your energy bills. Your fall HVAC maintenance will ensure that your system is checked and thoroughly cleaned before the winter. A professional technician will also perform a tune-up to address many common problems that lead to inefficiencies. Investing in a fall HVAC tune-up will ensure that your system delivers warm air and lower heating bills throughout the winter.
Extended System Life
The consensus is that HVAC systems should last around 15 to 20 years. With proper care and regular maintenance, however, you may be able to extend the life of your system well beyond 20 years. Minor problems that go unresolved can turn into much larger issues and decrease the life expectancy of your system. Many larger issues can even lead to premature system failure before you reach the 15-year mark. Routine maintenance, however, will catch smaller issues and help preserve your equipment’s health and life span.
Regular tune-ups will also ensure that the components are properly lubricated and that any belts are tight and in working order. Additionally, a service technician will clean the drain lines and pipes of any standing water that could wreak havoc during the winter. Just like regular oil changes and tune-ups preserves your car’s engine, regular HVAC service can prolong the life of your system.
Fewer Repairs
If your HVAC equipment breaks down during the winter, it could leave you out in the cold, literally. System failures and malfunctions during the winter could leave homeowners with costly repair bills and freezing homes. If the situation requires emergency service, you could encounter even costlier charges. Fall maintenance can help you avoid many of these situations by catching and addressing small problems before requiring a larger repair. Investing in a fall HVAC tune-up is worth the money when it could save you the cost of expensive repairs or even system replacement.
Fall is the ideal time for HVAC service as it will ensure the functionality of your system before the winter and give you time to correct any problems. Investing a small amount on the front end for regular maintenance could save you a ton on expensive repairs later.
