Let’s face it: we live in a throwaway society. Many of the devices and products we purchase simply aren’t built like they used to be. Remember when mobile phones could actually put up with some abuse? Some of us (the older ones, like your author here) may even remember when things were made out of metal as opposed to plastic. But we’re all familiar with low-cost, short-lived products — we purchase and use them every day.
Why Your HVAC System is Different
All that out of the way, we don’t blame anyone for forgetting that some of the products we use every day need to be maintained. Your HVAC — your heating and cooling system — is one of those things. Think of those systems like you might think of your car or even your home itself: they require regular maintenance.
When times are good, your furnace, heat pump, and/or air conditioner are working silently in the background. They follow your instructions and your programming, and they keep you comfortable without any complaints. Your humidifier or de-humidifier regulates the moisture level in your home. Think of how they are running so often, pushing heated or cooled air throughout a space anywhere from 1,000 – 3,000+ square feet!
If that hard-working equipment isn’t properly maintained, you could be stuck with an expensive repair that could have been avoided. You could be left without heating or cooling when you need it most, requiring an emergency repair visit.
HVAC Systems are Complex
The truth is that heating and cooling systems are very complex under the hood, much the same way as the engine in your vehicle. While all you need to do drive your car is start it up and use the pedals and wheel — and all you need to do to heat or cool your home is adjust your thermostat — the machinery that keeps it all working is complicated indeed.
For example, an “air conditioning system” consists of multiple components: blower motor or air handler, an evaporator coil, thermostat, and condenser, among many other things. These components are further controlled and operated with circuit boards and programming.
Your furnace (if you have one, they are less common in Florida) isn’t just a magic box, either! Although that would be awesome, in reality it’s a complex piece of machinery with several components that can become fouled or dirty over time, such as igniters, a flame sensor, and limit switches among other components.
The same goes for heat pumps, which incorporate heating and cooling in different ways.
Some Examples of HVAC System Maintenance – and why it’s important
Regular maintenance of your heating and cooling system covers the basics of keeping those systems operating at their maximum efficiency, and is usually performed twice per year. These are generally referred to as “Clean and Checks” or “AC Tune Ups“.
We asked our technicians — some of which have been in the HVAC business for decades — about some of the tune up procedures and why they are so important:
- Filter Check: A saturated filter can reduce the airflow in your system, not to mention fail to clean the air running through your home properly.
- Clean out Condenser Coils: Without maintaining the condenser coils on your AC, the compressor and other components can overheat, causing equipment to fail.
- Check Capacitors: If a capacitor isn’t reading properly to manufacturer specs the condenser and compressor motor work harder and draw more power, reducing the lifespan of your system or potentially causing a failure.
- Check Refrigerant Pressures: If pressures are low or not properly set, the compressor valves have to work harder. This can result in lower equipment life, extended cooling times, and more power consumption.
These are just a few examples of what’s included in regular HVAC maintenance, and it’s easy to see that performing these steps can not only save you money but also ensure your comfort all year round.
How do I get my HVAC system maintained?
To schedule regular maintenance, call our friendly staff at 941-766-0975. We’ll get you scheduled in at a time that works for you, and we can also get you on a regular schedule if you like. You can also schedule your appointment by contacting us online.
HVAC Maintenance Plans
In addition, we offer money-saving HVAC maintenance plans — these include 2 yearly visits for your cooling or heating system, plus priority service and additional savings.
