From keeping you cool over the summers to ensuring you stay warm and cozy during the winter season, your HVAC systems do a lot throughout the year. And when they break down, it isn’t just inconvenient; it’s also quite expensive to have repaired. However, determining exactly how often you should schedule an HVAC maintenance service is the real challenge. while most experts may recommend at least one visit per year, others may suggest a higher frequency due to more use or an older system. If you’re looking to understand how often you should have your heating and cooling system looked at, this is the right blog for you.
- Scheduling HVAC Maintenance Visits: Factors Influencing The Frequency
Are you worried about your heating system crashing in the middle of the winter season? Or maybe it’s your air conditioning that you’re concerned will give out at the peek of summer? The only way to ensure that doesn’t happen is by scheduling routine HVAC maintenance services. But how often should you do that? From the type of climate you’re having to whether or not you have any allergies, here is everything that determines how often you should have your HVAC system serviced.
Read along to customize your own maintenance plan.
- System Age
The age of the system you own plays a huge part in determining how often you should call in professionals. while most newer models can perform well with annual inspections, older systems are more likely to experience breakdowns, so an HVAC maintenance check twice a year is more ideal.
- System Usage
The frequency of the system’s usage is another factor that influences how many times you should schedule a professional HVAC maintenance service. If your HVAC system doesn’t get a lot of use, an annual inspection will suffice. However, if you rely on it throughout the year, go for an inspection once over the spring and once during the fall.
- Climatic Conditions
Do you live in an area with pleasant weather? or do you reside in a highly humid or freezing city? If your HVAC system battles temperature extremes, it’s going to need frequent checks to stay working properly. but, if it’s mild weather that you’re blessed with, booking an HVAC maintenance service even once annually should be enough.
- Pets & Allergies
Dander and polin are a huge cause for concern for individuals with allergies. So, if that’s the case, consider contacting a professional to assess your heating and cooling system more often; keeping the indoor air clean, healthy and easy to breathe.
- System Type
Another important factor is the type of system you have. Is it a heat pump that you have? Or perhaps it’s just a furnace? Depending on the type and complexity of your system, you may have to increase or decrease the frequency of your HVAC maintenance services.
- Understanding HVAC Maintenance Services: What Happens During The Visit
See how complicated it can be to determine the frequency of your HVAC maintenance checks? But what even happens during those services? Aside from checking the filter and thermostat, HVAC technicians also assess the electrical connections and more.
Here is what professional HVAC contractors do when called in.
- Visual Inspection
The technicians will give your heating and cooling system a detailed onceover; looking for obvious signs of frayed wiring, loose connections and damaged vents to fix or replace.
- Checking Air Filters
Next, they assess the air filters. If they need to be cleaned, that’s what they’ll do. However, if they’re beyond the simple clean, the technicians will go ahead and replace the old ones with new air filters.
- Assessing Condensate Pump
The technicians also check the condition of the condensate pump. This is crucial to ensure smooth drainage and prevent water damage regardless of the system you have.
- Lubricating Moving Parts
Technicians will also lubricate all the moving parts like motors, bearing and shafts. This step ensures smooth system performance, increases efficiency and raises the lifespan of your HVAC system.
- Testing Thermostat
Finally, they’ll also examine the thermostat. Doing this will ensure that the interiors stay comfortable and tailored to your exact preferences throughout the changing seasons.
- Conclusion
HVAC maintenance services should be scheduled at least once a year, though there are several factors that can push up the frequency of the checks. Things like the age of your system, your local climate and even the type of system you have all play a part in deciding how often you should have technicians come over. When they do come over, they assess everything from the filters to the thermostat; ensuring that the system keeps performing well and doesn’t need a premature replacement. We hope this blog helped you understand how often you should schedule HVAC maintenance services. For further inquiries, please ask.
- FAQs
What is the lifespan of an HVAC system?
Depending on installation and maintenance quality, HVAC systems last between 10-25 years on average.
How often should the air filters be changed?
They should be changed once every 1-3 months, depending on usage.
Can I perform HVAC maintenance myself?
You can change filters and clear the outdoor unit, but only experts can perform a thorough maintenance check.