You’re tempted to save on costs this holiday season by skipping your long-overdue HVAC maintenance this winter. If your system’s working, why worry about it — right?
Wrong. Research shows that HVAC maintenance each year may cost you anywhere from $75 to $200. On the contrary, if your system requires substantial repairs, the price tag could climb to as high as $2,000 to $3,000.
In light of this, here’s a rundown on the several ways that regular HVAC maintenance can save you money.
Let’s dig in!
Fewer Maintenance Service Calls
One of the top reasons to take advantage of regular HVAC maintenance is that it will help you to avoid future service calls that cost you more money.
Many serious and costly repairs typically show signs early on. By maintaining your HVAC with the help of an experienced tech, you can spot smaller issues before they grow into bigger and costlier repairs.
In addition, regular maintenance will help you to avoid expensive emergency HVAC service calls after hours. This is especially true during peak season — for example, on the coldest winter nights or the hottest summer days.
Decreased Utility Bills
Yet another reason to hire an HVAC maintenance technician is that proper maintenance can help you to lower your utility bills.
During an inspection, your tech may replace internal components that have become worn out. They can also change your dirty, clogged air filters, which can cause short cycling. Short cycling happens when your air conditioner or furnace turns off and on too frequently.
During an HVAC inspection, your technician can additionally adjust your equipment’s operating sequence. A reputable technician will perform the following duties as well:
Clean soot from your burner’s fire side
Change your fuel/air ratios
Get rid of the scale on your condenser coils
Clean your burner assembly
Change your dirty, clogged air filters
Clean your system’s coils
Fix a slipping V-belt (power transmission belt)
When your HVAC system’s components are working properly, the system won’t have to work harder to overcompensate for its problems. And this means it won’t use as much energy. This translates to lower electricity costs and, in turn, a smaller carbon footprint.
Longer HVAC Life
Getting your HVAC system inspected will also help you to increase its life.
Like your home’s other appliances, your HVAC’s lifespan is affected by how you use the equipment and how you maintain it.
Delaying an HVAC tune-up to save on costs might backfire on you down the road. That is because your unit’s issues will go unaddressed, and this may end up shortening your unit’s life.
Regular maintenance, on the other hand, can help your system to operate smoothly from one season to the next. In fact, when properly cared for, the majority of HVAC systems can last anywhere from 15-25 years.
With proper maintenance, you may not have to worry about replacing the system sooner than necessary. In fact, you may never have to pay for an installation if you plan to sell your home within the next few years, for example.
Warranty Benefits
Getting your HVAC system inspected each year can also help to ensure that your system remains protected under the manufacturer’s warranty.
This is important because if you ever need to replace or repair the system, the manufacturer will cover the cost for you. This translates to major savings in the event of a system failure.
Let’s say, though, that your heating system or air conditioner is outside of the system warranty already. You should still maintain your system to extend its life, as this will only benefit you financially over time.
Mitigating Health Care Costs
Finally, HVAC maintenance won’t just help you to minimize your monthly heating and cooling expense, as well as your system repair and replacement costs. It can also save you on medical costs by improving the quality of your indoor air.
If you have respiratory issues, such as asthma, it is important that you’re exposed to clean air. Having an HVAC technician change your air filters can make your air cleaner and fresher by removing pollutants such as dirt and debris from the atmosphere.
Regular HVAC maintenance can additionally decrease your risk of suffering poisoning from carbon monoxide — an odorless and colorless gas that can be deadly. Carbon monoxide can be leaked if your HVAC system’s heat exchanger fails or cracks. Fortunately, your technician can check for this during each maintenance visit.
In addition, regular maintenance will help to minimize the number of contaminants that accumulate in your system, circulate throughout the ductwork, and leave your vents. This means fewer pollutants will settle on your home’s surfaces. And this will also help you to breathe more easily.
In fact, if you pay for a cleaning service, keeping your HVAC well maintained may actually eliminate the need to clean your home as frequently. This can further save you money.
How We Can Help with HVAC Maintenance
Regularly inspecting your HVAC system can save you on costlier repairs and a more expensive system replacement down the road. On top of this, HVAC maintenance can reduce your utility bills and even minimize your healthcare costs. For this reason, scheduling an HVAC inspection this season is a wise move.
Fortunately, at Anton’s, we offer top-tier HVAC maintenance, repair, and replacement services in St. Louis. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can keep your HVAC system going strong for years to come.
