How Often Should I Check My HVAC System?

Your home’s HVAC system helps keep you comfortable no matter how hot or cold it gets outside. You count on it to provide for your comfort, but it’s important to remember that your HVAC system is counting on you too. After all, it’s a complex mechanical system. That means that routine maintenance and tune-ups are a must. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t know how often they should have maintenance performed or who they should call for help. Here’s everything you need to know about taking care of your home’s HVAC system.

Why is HVAC Maintenance So Important?

Much like your personal vehicle, your HVAC system is a sophisticated machine that needs to be calibrated from time to time. One of the chief benefits of choosing regular HVAC maintenance is that it helps to extend the life of your system. During an HVAC maintenance appointment, a trained technician will clean your system, replace any air filters and check your equipment for repair needs. Taking these simple steps helps to ensure that your system won’t break down unexpectedly and extends its overall operating life.

HVAC maintenance does more than just extend system life. It has several other important benefits including

  • improving how well your HVAC system meets your needs,
  • increasing the efficiency of your system,
  • lowering your utility bills, and
  • lowering or eliminating unexpected repair costs.

Remember that you’ll get the best results when you hire a licensed professional to perform maintenance tasks.

Scheduling HVAC Maintenance Appointments

Many homeowners who understand the importance of routine HVAC maintenance are still unsure about how often maintenance needs to be completed. As a rule of thumb, you should aim to schedule a maintenance appointment twice a year. In our local area, we generally recommend that you schedule your appointment before the high-demand cooling season and before the winter hits. This will help ensure that your cooling and heating equipment is ready to work throughout the year.

It’s also important to schedule a maintenance and tune-up appointment for your HVAC system if you notice any signs of heating or cooling problems. Signs that it’s time to schedule maintenance include

  • knocking or banging noises coming from your HVAC system,
  • strange odors coming from your heater or cooler,
  • a lack of comfort even though you’re running your system like you have in the past,
  • sudden increases in utility bills with no other explanation, and
  • trouble starting or shutting off your heating and cooling system.

Choosing the right technician to complete HVAC maintenance can be difficult. That’s why it’s important to work with a fully licensed, BBB-accredited business. At AirNow, we’re happy to provide a full range of HVAC maintenance and repair services to homeowners throughout the Millbrook area. Contact us today to schedule routine maintenance or get help with system problems.