Air conditioning and heating are a facet of modern living that can be easy to take for granted. It is one of today’s great luxuries, particularly if you live in areas such as the Southern United States. Anyone who’s had to shiver through a New England winter or sweat through a Southern California summer knows that a properly functioning and maintained HVAC system is critical to keeping a comfortable home. Unfortunately, HVAC systems do break down, and there’s no such thing as an “opportune” time to need repairs.
In an effort to save time, hassle, and cost associated with HVAC work, you may be tempted to put off minor repairs or regular maintenance. However, skipping regular maintenance and repairs is more likely to lead to a system breakdown that requires far more time and money than the original problem. Keeping up with regular service and fixing small problems as they arise can end up saving you a ton of money in the long run.
HVAC Repairs Improve Efficiency
Taking care of your HVAC repair needs keeps your heating and cooling systems running at peak efficiency. As your system ages, components start to wear out, degrading their performance. These older components then require more energy to do the same amount of work. Furthermore, new parts are often designed to work much more efficiently than their predecessors, so replacing old components can increase your furnace’s or air conditioning’s overall energy efficiency.
Your HVAC system is likely the biggest source of energy consumption in your house, so this can lead to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in savings over time.
Solve Problems While They’re Cheap
Your home’s HVAC is a delicately balanced system that relies on all its parts working correctly. When one part breaks, it may seem like it’s working, but it may be doing further damage to your heater or air conditioner. A minor coolant leak, for example, can lead to your air conditioner’s compressor failing, which leads to a complete breakdown. Fixing a small leak is much easier and faster than installing a new compressor unit, so taking care of this problem as soon as it’s uncovered will save you hundreds.
Increase Your System’s Lifespan
Finding and replacing smaller components such as fans, coils, and filters prevents undue wear and tear on the rest of the system. A well-maintained system can last more than 20 years, whereas skipping upkeep can reduce that to merely 10. So in theory, failing to fix small problems as they arise can cause you to replace your AC unit or furnace twice as much as you should.
Avoid Paying for Emergency Service Calls
When HVAC systems have to work harder than they should or rely on parts on the brink of failure, they are more likely to break down during extreme weather events and lead to dangerous temperatures in your home. Fixing these breakdowns requires an emergency service call, which carries a high charge on your final invoice. Regular maintenance and scheduled repair appointments are much, much cheaper.
No one likes paying for repairs if they think they can put them off till later. However, failing to keep your HVAC system maintained and running can result in much higher costs down the line. Improving energy efficiency, preventing breakdowns, and avoiding emergency service charges make timely repairs a much cheaper option over the lifespan of your system.