The Importance of Regular HVAC Maintenance and Tune-Ups in Texas

The hot summer weather of Texas would not be survivable without your HVAC system, which keeps your home cool and comfortable when the temperature outside gets hot. Regular maintenance is a must if you want to keep your heating and cooling system in tip-top condition so that you can continue to benefit from it. It is crucial for getting optimal system performance, energy efficiency, and the best air quality inside.

HVAC maintenance can involve simple tasks like cleaning the air filters to more complicated ones like checking the condenser coils. Below we’ll look at the many benefits that regular HVAC maintenance and tune-ups can bring you.

Better Performance and Energy Efficiency

Due to wear and tear over time, your system loses efficiency and effectiveness. But dirty air filters and conditioner coils are unavoidable, and when these components get dirty their airflow is obstructed which makes your AC work harder, consuming more energy.

Leakage is also one of the biggest contributors to inefficiencies in air conditioners. If there is a refrigerant leak then your AC’s ability to cool the house will be significantly reduced. Leaky ducts, and poor insulation in general, are difficult to detect and can lead to a lot of energy waste that will add hundreds to your electricity bills.

Manufacturer Warranty

Appliances like HVAC systems always come with a manufacturer warranty, with many companies having a coverage period of up to 10 years. If your heating or cooling system starts to show problems within this time frame, it might be possible for you to get the repair or replacement done by the manufacturing company for free. However, warranties usually don’t cover labor costs, only the costs related to the equipment being fixed.

Benefitting from manufacturer warranties can be tricky as there are many circumstances under which they don’t apply, such as in the case of natural disasters. Certain things can invalidate the warranty as well, such as improper installation and a lack of regular maintenance. If you cannot show the manufacturer that you’ve had regular maintenance done on your system, they may void the warranty.

Increase System Longevity

Your HVAC system is an investment that will benefit you for 10-15 years if not more. But negligence on your part can shorten its lifespan considerably. Routine maintenance can help you identify minor problems within your system and fix them before they develop into major internal issues that can cause your entire system to break down. Once a serious problem appears with your HVAC system, it’s difficult to get rid of it without having to replace important internal parts. This is not only a big expense to deal with, but can permanently reduce the lifespan of your system as well. By investing in preventive maintenance now, you save money in the long run.

Weather Factor

Regular maintenance of your HVAC is important regardless of the location and weather, but even more so for places that experience extreme climates. In Texas, temperatures can get as high as over 100 degrees in the summer and as low as around 30 degrees in the winter. What this means for your heating and cooling system is that it will be put through the grinder during intense temperature highs and lows. HVAC systems that have to handle heavy workloads such as this also need more maintenance to stay in the best condition. The best time to get a tune-up of your heating or cooling system is the season before when you expect to use them. For air conditioners that’s the spring before summer arrives and for your heating systems like furnaces or boilers that’s the fall before winter season. 

Safety

There’s also the matter of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that is poisonous and can give rise to a number of health issues. Air conditioners don’t produce carbon monoxide as they don’t burn any fuel, but if you have a furnace or boiler that runs on oil or gas then that could be a source. Regular tune-ups from professional HVAC servicers like Texas Central Air can stop your heating units from leaking in the first place or at least catch an issue early on if there is one.

As the gas is hard to detect, your best bet is to get carbon monoxide detectors for your house or consider upgrading to an electric heating system altogether for the safest experience.

Easy To DIY

Although it is suggested that you always consult commercial HVAC services to do your system’s maintenance, they’re not necessary for every little thing. There are many straightforward maintenance tasks you can do by yourself, such as cleaning or replacing the air filters, clearing out the area surrounding the outdoor unit, etc. But for other, more complicated jobs, it’s best to contact professionals. Checking whether there is enough refrigerant in the system, examining the evaporator and condenser coils, and many other complicated tasks require specialist equipment and more importantly skill and knowledge. Understanding how much you can do by yourself and when to call a professional is important for your safety and also the system.

Seeing all the benefits, it is easy to realize why regular HVAC maintenance is paramount for your home’s comfort. So don’t make the mistake of thinking of maintenance work as an unnecessary expense, as it is ultimately not only for the well-being of the machine but for your own too.