SHOULD YOU GET HVAC SERVICED EVERY YEAR?

AC maintenance is a topic that almost all of our clients bring up at some point. The most common questions concern how often to schedule service calls and whether you should get your HVAC serviced every year—even if it is brand new.

Regardless of the age, size, brand, model or type of HVAC equipment installed in your home, skipping annual HVAC tune-ups is not a good idea.

Three million HVAC units are replaced annually in the U.S. Make sure you don’t need a premature replacement by understanding why heating and cooling services matter and how you can protect your units…

SHOULD YOU GET HVAC SERVICED EVERY YEAR?

Should You Get Your HVAC Serviced Every Year

The golden rule with HVAC equipment is that you should schedule an annual service call—at the bare minimum. An annual service for both the AC and the furnace is considered best practice to ensure optimal performance, and efficiency, and to prevent potential problems before they become major issues. 

If you are using your AC consistently for much of the year, as in Florida, you may benefit from more frequent AC maintenance (every six months or so) especially if you have indoor air quality issues in your home. 

Let’s go deeper into this question…

STAY COOL ALL YEAR ROUND WITH ONE WAY AIR…

The team at One Way Air installs, services, and repairs all types of air conditioning systems in Southwest Florida. Get in touch with us here for a quote or call 239-233-4356 in emergencies.

WHY REGULAR HEATING AND COOLING SERVICES MATTER

Regular HVAC maintenance is not simply a “good option”. It is essential if you rely on your heating and/or cooling systems to maintain comfort in your home around the year.

Unserviced air conditioning units, for instance, can lose about five percent efficiency each year if they are not serviced. This is mainly due to dust buildup, refrigerant leaks, and worn-out components. Over time, that can lead to many performance problems, higher electricity bills, and unwanted AC repair bills.

Keep Repair Bills Down

In the end, this will reduce the lifespan of your HVAC equipment and, ultimately, impact indoor air quality and your family’s comfort—especially if the equipment stops working.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ANNUAL HVAC TUNE-UP?

An annual HVAC tune-up will inspect, clean, lubricate, and test all the essential components of your heating and cooling system.

For air conditioning, this includes:

  • Checking all of the system’s controls, including the thermostat 
  • Tightening electrical connections
  • Lubricating all moving parts in the system
  • Checking and replacing the air filter if necessary
  • Cleaning the AC coils (evaporator and condenser coils)
  • Cleaning the blower components
  • Checking the outside (condenser) AC unit for debris, dirt, etc. 
  • Checking the cabinet for leaks
  • Checking AC refrigerant levels
  • Testing for airflow efficiency
AC Service Call Tasks

For furnaces, the following maintenance services are usually performed:

  • Checking and replacing the air filter (in central HVAC systems, one filter often serves the AC and furnace) 
  • Inspecting the thermostat and safety controls 
  • Inspecting the electrical connections and checking for gas leaks 
  • Inspecting the ductwork for cleanliness and leaks 
  • Testing the safety shutoff and emergency switch 
  • Lubricating all moving parts 
  • Checking for unusual noises or odors
  • Testing the furnace’s overall performance 
Furnace Service Call Tasks
Image Source

Heat pumps also need servicing annually, where similar checks to the above will be performed, along with essential cleaning/lubrication and testing of the entire system.

BENEFITS OF ANNUAL HVAC SERVICING

Yearly HVAC servicing is a must for homeowners. Here are the main benefits:

  • Helps you avoid emergency service calls for AC repairs with preventative maintenance.
  • Identifies HVAC problems before they escalate and become more serious and expensive, resulting in a $150 bill instead of a $1,500 bill.
  • Florida’s hot and humid climate means most families rely on their AC for basic comfort—if it breaks down, conditions can be sweltering in the peak summer months.
  • Ensures your system maintains optimal efficiency and only uses the minimum energy required to run it.
  • Extends the lifespan of your system, which is good news for your pocket.
  • Protects the manufacturer’s warranty.
Service HVAC Protect Warranty
Image Source 

WHEN’S THE BEST TIME TO SCHEDULE HVAC MAINTENANCE?

There‘s no one answer to this question. If both your AC and furnace or heat pump need a tune-up, they should be serviced as soon as possible—the sooner the better if maintenance is overdue.

However, in an ideal world, you service your AC before the peak season of summer (in the spring in Florida) so that it performs optimally throughout the hottest months; and you service your furnace just before its peak season in the winter months (preferably the mid to late fall in Florida).

Best Time Of Year For HVAC Service

This may vary slightly with location but the basic principles of timing service calls apply.

TELL-TALE SIGNS YOUR HVAC NEEDS SERVICING

If you can’t remember the last time your HVAC was serviced, that’s not a good sign. It probably needs a service ASAP.

Your AC may also need servicing if you notice any of the following tell-tale signs of performance problems:

  • Warm air blowing from the AC
  • Only lukewarm or cool air blowing from the furnace
  • Unusual noises or odors coming from the unit
  • Weak airflow or inconsistent temperatures
  • Unexplained increases in energy bills
  • Frequent cycling on and off
Tell Tale Signs HVAC Service

CAN I CHANGE THE HVAC FILTERS MYSELF? 

Many HVAC performance issues can be prevented and averted simply by changing or cleaning the filter frequently—ideally every 4-8 weeks.

This is one of the few HVAC maintenance tasks you can do yourself without the help of an HVAC technician. 

COST VS. SAVINGS: ARE ANNUAL SERVICES WORTH IT?

The cost of AC in Florida is such that looking after your AC system should be a no-brainer. You’ve made a significant investment in your family’s comfort so it makes sense to protect that investment.

Keeping up with maintenance is likely to be the difference between a system that will last 15-20 years rather than 10-12 years.

Are Yearly Service Calls Worth It

The costs of maintenance vary from company to company but most offer service plans that make annual HVAC services affordable. Make sure you understand whether the plan covers you for yearly or twice-yearly HVAC services and what other labor costs, if any, are included.

AC repairs can be expensive—especially emergency repairs—as can rising energy costs from an inefficient HVAC system. So, investing in an annual service plan is generally money well-spent.

HOW TO CHOOSE A RELIABLE HVAC COMPANY IN FLORIDA 

Before selecting your HVAC maintenance company, make sure you do your homework and check the following:

  • Licenses, certifications, and insurance credentials
  • Years of experience in the local area
  • Track record of reviews/testimonials from customers online
  • Availability of affordable maintenance plans  
  • Service guarantees offered
Reliable HVAC Service Company Florida

FAQs

Manufacturer warranties are usually 5-10 years with air conditioners and furnaces. These warranties usually require evidence of annual services for each unit or the warranty is invalidated. So, when you need repairs, you may need to pay the bill from your own pocket.

The average AC service costs $100 to $200 but it can be higher for large units, more complex HVAC systems or units that have not been serviced for a while.

You can perform a few basic tasks to maintain your HVAC system—keeping the area around outdoor units clear of debris, checking thermostat settings/batteries, ensuring air flows freely to and from supply and return vents, and changing or cleaning the filter every couple of months. Beyond these basic tasks, you’ll need an HVAC professional to service your system.

This may be possible if you haven’t scheduled maintenance for some time. HVAC companies may provide a discount for “bundled” services. However, the optimal time to service HVAC equipment is just before it enters its busiest time. For air conditioning (summer), that’s usually springtime and, for furnaces (winter), that’s usually the fall. If one system develops problems and needs repairing, this may also be a good time for a fuller service.

BOOK A YEARLY SERVICE CALL 

AC systems can last for 12-15 years or more if well maintained. Protect your investment with an annual air conditioning service to detect problems early and save money on expensive repairs.

Contact an AC professional at One Way Air for an inspection and AC tune-up today.

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