It’s easy for property owners to ignore their HVAC system until there’s a problem. After all, it’s not something you commonly interact with daily. However, without the proper level of attention and care, your system will eventually experience preventable issues. Consider these common problems that having an HVAC maintenance plan will help prevent.
Airflow Restrictions
One of the most common issues HVAC systems experience is airflow restrictions. These commonly occur at the air filter, the heat exchanger or the evaporator coil, and the circulating fan. You’ll need to keep an eye on your air filter, with most 1- or 2-inch filters needing replacing every 30 to 90 days. However, during routine maintenance, a technician will clean the circulating fan and heat exchanger, depending on the season.
Climbing Energy Consumption
The cost of heating and cooling a home seems to constantly fluctuate and steadily increase. Part of that variability is the energy that your system consumes. While the weather outside may play a factor in this, the internal stress it experiences is a more controllable variable. The routine maintenance that your system receives with a maintenance plan works to maintain its efficiency and reduce its energy consumption.
Preventable Repairs
Every mechanical system will eventually experience component failure. However, when the system strains, the components will wear out more quickly. This strain comes from airflow restrictions, components wearing and working suboptimally, and loose mounting hardware and electrical connections. Aside from cleaning your system, a technician will carefully test it, looking for those components that aren’t operating optimally so you can address them.
Inconsistent Heating and Cooling
You want your home to remain at a pretty consistent temperature regardless of the space you’re in. However, as the system ages, it circulates less air. This creates less positive pressure at the supply vents and less negative pressure at the return vents. Consequently, the conditioned air isn’t moved as effectively, leaving some areas of your home warmer or cooler than others. Routine maintenance ensures there aren’t any airflow restrictions and that the circulating fan is spinning fast enough to move the appropriate air volume.
Shortened Service Life
It’s time to replace your HVAC system when one of two conditions are met. The first is when any single repair costs more than 50% of the cost of a replacement. The second is when the sum of repairs over the previous two years multiplied by the age of the system is more than the cost of a new system. When you have excess strain and wear that causes additional repairs, these equations shift dramatically, sometimes years before the end of the expected service life. A maintenance plan ensures that your system continues operating efficiently, giving you the full expected service life.
You can avoid many common HVAC problems when you give your system the attention it needs. Call to sign up for a Joplin, MO area maintenance plan with the experts at Upland Servicing, Plumbing, Heating & Air.
