It’s Never Too Early to Start Thinking About Spring HVAC Maintenance

As a homeowner, one of the lessons you must take to heart is that it’s impossible to be too proactive when it comes to maintenance, especially where major appliances like your furnace and air conditioner are concerned. After all, your HVAC system works hard for you all year, and if you fail to take care of it, you could find yourself with a costly surprise repair bill on your hands.

Even though we still have about a month to go before the official first day of spring, that warmer weather will be here before you know it. Professional HVAC technicians recommend getting your heating and cooling system tuned up each spring, and again in the fall, for optimal performance. Here are some of the advantages to seasonal HVAC maintenance.

1. Lower Energy Bills

Are you spending more than you should on heating and cooling your home? By failing to maintain your HVAC regularly, you are forcing it to work harder to keep you comfortable. Keeping up with HVAC maintenance creates a more energy-efficient system as well, which is better for our environment.

2. Protect Your Investment

Just as you wouldn’t expect a new car to last very long if you never got a single oil change, you are shortening the lifespan of your equipment if you neglect seasonal maintenance. Your HVAC system contains many moving parts that must all work in harmony for it to do its job properly. During a spring HVAC tune-up, your tech will check all the inner workings and make sure everything is clean and functioning correctly. They’ll also identify any minor problems and repair them before they get out of hand and lead to more complex, expensive issues down the road.

3. Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Dust and dirt can build up in layers inside your furnace and air conditioner, restricting airflow and allowing contaminants to circulate through your space. During a routine tune-up appointment, your technician will replace your filters with new ones that trap allergens like mold, pollen, pet dander and volatile organic compounds, allowing you and your family to breathe cleaner air.

4. Save Money and Time

Another advantage of preventive maintenance is that it helps keep your heating and cooling system running smoothly for longer, extending the life of your HVAC equipment by reducing wear and tear. You’ll be less likely to have a premature breakdown that forces you to replace your furnace or air conditioner early. Also, many warranties on newer equipment stipulate that annual maintenance is necessary for the warranty to remain valid.

5. Enjoy Greater Peace of Mind

When your HVAC is running properly, your whole home will be more comfortable, and you will have fewer worries about experiencing an emergency breakdown that has you scrambling to get it fixed. As mentioned above, you’ll enjoy better health, due to enhanced indoor air quality. And, you’ll be less likely to experience any home hazards such as carbon monoxide poisoning or electrical fires with a well-maintained heating and cooling system.

6. Get an Appointment That Works With Your Schedule

The warmer the weather gets, the busier HVAC contractors will become. By scheduling your preventive service checkup earlier in the year, you’ll be more likely to get an appointment within your desired timeframe, because technicians tend to have additional flexibility and availability during this time.

What to Expect During Routine Spring Maintenance

When you call for a spring HVAC tune-up, you might be wondering what your technician will do during this appointment. Here are some things to look for.

• Clean coils and fan blades to optimize airflow
• Inspect and tighten terminals and belts
• Clean the condensate drain line
• Lubricate moving parts to reduce wear and tear
• Inspect all electrical connections
• Change air filters to improve indoor air quality
• Check refrigerant levels; if they are low, ensure there is not a leak
• Check ductwork for any possible leaks
• Test airflow through the system
• Calibrate the thermostat settings and controls
• Clean around the unit and make sure it is still level

Why You Need Professional HVAC Maintenance

You might think you can save a few dollars by moving through the above checklist items yourself. However, we don’t recommend DIY HVAC maintenance for inexperienced people. First, doing the job right requires specialized equipment, tools and training. Reading a few online tutorials is no match for the hours of education it takes to become a certified, licensed HVAC technician.

Heating and cooling equipment is complex and contains many small, moving parts. If you end up using the wrong components or breaking some of the internal workings of your unit, you could easily end up paying exponentially more than what a well-trained service technician would have charged. You could even damage your system beyond repair, in which case the only solution would be buying brand-new equipment.

Another issue with amateur HVAC repair is health and safety. Air conditioners contain hazardous chemicals such as refrigerant, as well as sharp blades and high-voltage electricity. Even a professional can slip up from time to time, despite years of training. Just imagine how risky it is for someone with no experience at all. You don’t want to end up with expensive medical bills because you tried to fix your system yourself.

Schedule Your Spring HVAC Tune-Up Today

Get proactive with your home’s maintenance needs by calling the team at Maichle’s Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to set a service appointment. As a qualified contractor that has been serving customers in the tri-state area of Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania since 1984, we are experts at providing preventive seasonal tune-ups. When you’re looking to stay on top of HVAC maintenance, the thorough service we provide can help save you time and money, while protecting your investment and preserving your home comfort.

We offer up-front pricing, and we back the workmanship of our knowledgeable technicians with one of the industry’s most comprehensive guarantees. If you’re ready to experience a high level of service excellence, contact us today to request a checkup.