Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is a finely tuned machine. As such, it requires proper care and maintenance in order to function at its best. By investing in a fall HVAC tune-up, you can boost your energy efficiency, performance, and comfort.
11 Benefits of Getting a Fall HVAC System Tune-up
For the best performance, heating systems should be tuned up each fall before the weather turns cold. Over the long run, getting routine maintenance can end up saving you money through fewer repairs and replacements. It can also provide other important benefits.
1. Avoid Unexpected Breakdowns
On a chilly winter night, you just want to curl up with a blanket and a good book. The last thing you need is for your furnace to fail in the middle of the night. Fortunately, investing in routine HVAC maintenance helps to prevent sudden failures, so you aren’t left shivering in the cold. If your system does experience a breakdown, our HVAC technicians provide fast, reliable repair service when you need it most.
2. Prevent Costly Repairs
When a furnace or heat pump has been cared for properly, it is less likely to break down. Small problems are caught early, so they don’t have a chance to escalate. As a result, you can spend less on repair costs. When you do have repairs, they are more likely to be minor issues that are inexpensive to fix.
3. Lower Your Energy Costs
If an HVAC system is dirty, clogged, or malfunctioning, it has to work harder to reach the same performance level. By getting your heating system cleaned and maintained, you can lower your monthly energy bills. Because your heating system has to work less, it also reduces the wear on your HVAC unit.
4. Maintain Your Warranty
Often, manufacturer warranties will have specific rules about when you have to perform maintenance and who can do the work. If you don’t have your HVAC maintenance and repairs handled by a professional, it can end up prematurely voiding your warranty.
5. Improve Your Comfort
By ensuring a better level of performance, you can enhance your family’s comfort. A well-maintained HVAC system reaches the correct temperature faster and has an easier time maintaining that temperature.
6. Boost Your Air Quality
With a fall tune-up, you can improve your indoor air quality. Clean HVAC systems and new filters lead to fewer contaminants in the air. Additionally, a well-maintained HVAC system has an easier time dehumidifying the air as well.
7. Extend the HVAC System’s Lifespan
Getting a new HVAC system is a major investment for many families. By caring for your current unit, you can prevent unnecessary wear and expensive repairs. Consistent care increases the lifespan of your HVAC system, so you can delay future replacements and save money.
8. Check Refrigerant Levels in Heat Pumps
While furnaces don’t use refrigerant, heat pumps do. If refrigerant levels are low, it often indicates a leak that must be repaired before refrigerant can be added. Low levels force the heat pump to work harder to heat your home, leading to added wear and potential malfunctions. Checking for leaks and correcting issues is essential for the health of your HVAC system.
9. Ensure Safety
Improperly maintained units are more likely to have safety issues. Faulty pilot lights can lead to a gas leak. Frayed wiring can cause electrocutions or fires. Similarly, refrigerant leaks are harmful to human health and the environment.
With the help of an HVAC technician at A/C Plus Heating & Cooling, you can achieve a better level of safety and peace of mind. We also understand local building codes and compliance regulations in Murfreesboro, so you don’t have to worry about code violations.
10. Access Better Scheduling Flexibility
When heat waves and cold snaps arrive, it seems like everyone needs an HVAC tune-up all at once. Because of this, it’s essential to schedule your tune-ups for the spring and fall. Besides preventing issues from happening during the busy season, you can enjoy better scheduling flexibility.
11. Enjoy Peace of Mind
Ultimately, the biggest reason to get a fall HVAC tune-up each year is for peace of mind. You don’t want to lie awake at night worrying about all of the emergency breakdowns and repairs that could happen. By being proactive, you can reduce the likelihood of future breakdowns.
What Happens During a Fall HVAC Tune-Up?
While each homeowner’s needs are slightly different, there are a few steps that typically happen during a fall HVAC tune-up. If our technicians notice anything out of the ordinary, we’ll notify you about the problem and recommend the best course of action.
First, we’ll inspect your entire heating system to see if there are any signs of damage or wear. A technician will look at your pilot light, pressure switch, gas valve, and similar components to make sure they are safe and functioning properly.
Afterward, we will check the filter to see if it is clean. We will inspect the condensate drain lines and remove any clogs. Our technicians will inspect and clean the heat exchanger, burner, blower, and other parts to make sure that there isn’t any dust and debris in your system. By doing this, we can improve your energy efficiency, air quality, and airflow.
Some homes are outfitted with gas furnaces. To ensure your safety, a technician will carefully measure and calibrate the gas pressure. We will also check for carbon monoxide leaks.
If you have a heat pump, our team will check it for refrigerant leaks. If the system’s levels are low, we’ll repair the leak and recharge it to the appropriate level.
How Can You Prepare Your HVAC System for Cooler Weather?
Besides scheduling a professional HVAC tune-up with our team, there are other steps you can take to prepare your HVAC system for colder weather. Filter changes and other simple tasks can be handled by homeowners on a monthly basis.
Start by cleaning or replacing your HVAC filter. While each manufacturer has different rules about when these changes need to happen, filters normally have to be replaced every 30 to 90 days depending on your system, filter type, and household needs such as pets or allergies.
If you have a heat pump, it’s essential to keep it clean. Periodically, you should remove plants, debris, and any other items that are next to the heat pump. You can gently rinse the outdoor coil with low-pressure water to remove dirt buildup. Be cautious around the fins, and when in doubt, reach out for professional cleaning and maintenance.
Prepare Your Home for Winter
By getting a fall HVAC tune-up in Murfreesboro, you can reduce the likelihood of future repairs and replacements. At A/C Plus Heating & Cooling, we can help with all of your heating repairs, heat pump installations, and furnace replacements. Ask us about our maintenance agreement!
Learn more by contacting our experienced HVAC technicians today.