If there is one thing we truly believe in, it’s that proper maintenance can save a homeowner more money than they realize. Much like medical checkups that flag issues early on and help monitor issues before they become a real problem, an HVAC maintenance contract can save you loads of time and money. Not just one year…every year!
There are many factors that come into play when considering the importance of regular HVAC unit maintenance. Saving money is a huge aspect of it, but having a technician notice that a motor is wearing out before it completely fails will save you days of waiting for a part to come in. We all know that these things usually happen at the most inconvenient times, such as holiday parties or when it is downright miserable outside. Those times when our system fails and we consider it an emergency and a huge inconvenience, we end up suffering mentally as well as physically being uncomfortable in our space, and that can easily be prevented with a little prep work.
The value of home maintenance on your HVAC unit is immeasurable. If your technician notices that something in your system is failing, they can alert you to this before it breaks completely and present your options with plenty of time for you to decide which route you’d like to go. This can assist you in budgeting both your time and your money. Perhaps you would like to get the unit repaired before a winter trip so that you don’t come home to a (surprise) cold house. Utilizing our technicians and services as a valuable resource ensures that these possible issues are addressed before they become a problem will help you feel more in control of your home and your life.
What do our technicians look at during your maintenance check up? Our list includes, but is not limited to the following:
- The technician will check to make sure your system will not overheat. This is one of the main things they will assess, as a system that overheats will simply shut down. Checking the system before it gets to this point is crucial in making sure your heat is not interrupted. If we see something that would cause the system to overheat once the cold weather sets in, we will order that part and get it replaced before it goes out, saving you time, money (no rush or after hours fees), and the headache of your home’s comfortable temperature being interrupted.
- Technicians will also check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. We will asses how many of each you have in your home, and make recommendations for any more you may need. We can also help install these, if you would like. It would then only be your responsibility to check the batteries if the unit beeps between maintenance visits.
- Filter checks will also be performed at every maintenance visit. Every return will be opened and the filter checked to see if it needs to be replaced. We will also take a look at your floor vents, should you have those, and ensure that nothing is blocking the air flow throughout your home. We want to make sure the air coming in and the air flowing out of your vents is not impeded in any way.
- All wiring will be checked during these visits, as well. Sometimes, normal wear and tear on older homes will allow for some pretty gnarly wires. Other times, a rodent may sneak in and rustle things up. Most often, though, we check wiring to make sure nothing has been knocked loose by a homeowner or another technician or service person. All fittings should be secure, and all wires should be in good working order. If they are not, we will let you know what needs to be replaced.
- Technicians will check the thermostat in your home to see if the unit is calling for warm air when it needs to. These systems are finely-tuned and electronic, so there is always a way for something to throw an error code. When your system detects an error in any way, it will shut everything down to ensure your safety, and the safety of the system itself. Your technician is trained to read these signals and diagnose each one individually.
- Evaluating drain lines and the heating element are also important parts of our maintenance inspections. Your technician will carefully assess the working order of each unit’s components to make sure nothing is at or near failure.
- Your technician will also run the system through each cycle to see if anything throws an error code or fails to turn on. There are many places for a system to fail. These failsafes that shut everything off, while irritating, are designed with you in mind. If something is overheating or there is a spark where there should be…you want the system to shut down until one of our technicians takes a look at it.
No matter how new your HVAC unit is, seasonal maintenance is an integral part of your home’s safety, and your peace of mind. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to set you up with your own maintenance program. Our teams are here to help you have the happiest and most peaceful winter yet.
