All homeowners know they should look after their HVAC system. And now we’re getting into the winter months with holiday visits and time with the family, having a comfortable home becomes even more important.
You also want to keep running costs down and extend the life of your HVAC system so it runs well, does its job, and costs as little as possible. To achieve all of these means routine HVAC maintenance and tune-ups performed by real professionals.
Here’s a closer look at the three main reasons why you should invest in regular maintenance for your furnace and AC:
1. Reduces energy costs
An efficient system doesn’t have to work so hard, so costs stay down. If the home’s thermostat doesn’t measure room temperature properly, the system can run for longer than necessary, or it can cycle on and off too frequently. This uses more electricity, and subsequently increases those pesky utility bills.
2. Protects your health and home
If the exhaust is partially blocked by too much dust, dirt or a foreign body (like an old bird’s nest up on the roof vent), the HVAC’s safety feature will close the system down to prevent carbon monoxide from escaping into the home. Before it gets to that stage, dust and dirt can blow through the home, and get breathed in.
When the AC is running during the summer months, it’s possible for the condensate drain to get blocked, causing a build-up of water and prime conditions for mold and mildew spores to grow. And once you turn the heat on in the winter, these spores multiply more quickly and float through the home. People breathe them in, and anyone susceptible to chest problems will be the first to suffer.
Besides protecting your health, it’s also important to consider protecting your home from potential fire hazards associated with older equiment, such as frayed wiring or loose connections. Recent news reports say that homes built after the 1970s are more dangerous than those built before then because the building materials have changed. At one time fire authorities said you had 15 minutes to get out of a burning home. Now it’s estimated to be only 3 – 4 minutes.
3. Increases the lifespan of your system
Just like your car needs regular maintenance to minimize “wear and tear” effects, the same is also true of HVAC systems. Major repairs are not only costly, but are more likely to occur at the most inconvenient times (e.g. your furnace breaking down when the temperature is -20°F… yikes!). By scheduling routine maintenance, you help significantly increase the longevity of your furnace and AC units, as well as improve your system’s overall performance.
If you maintain your HVAC system properly, it will not only be better for everyone’s health, but also for your wallet and lifespan of your system. And now that winter’s here in full force, don’t wait any longer to schedule a professional furnace tune-up if you haven’t already done so! (And don’t forget that we’re in the office seven days a week until 10PM should you need emergency repairs!)
From all of us at Pronto, Happy Holidays and stay warm out there!
