As a responsible homeowner, one of the most important things you should prioritize is HVAC maintenance. Your heating and air conditioning system plays an important role not only in your home’s indoor air quality, comfort, and energy efficiency, but also you and your family’s health. Without regular maintenance, your equipment may wear down and become less effective in providing comfort, causing extensive problems that can be too costly to repair.
If this is your first time scheduling an HVAC tune-up, don’t worry. As one of the leading providers of heating and AC troubleshooting system services, Air Products & Services provides an overview of the importance of maintaining your HVAC system and what you should expect in your first maintenance visit from a certified technician.
Regular HVAC maintenance can help reduce your energy consumption. When your HVAC system runs efficiently, you can rest easy knowing that it won’t have to work hard to keep you and your family comfortable. It will also consume less energy, allowing you to save money on your monthly utility bills.
Keeping tabs on your HVAC system’s condition helps prevent issues before they worsen. That’s what preventative maintenance is all about — malfunction and damage can be fixed with less stress when detected early. When your HVAC technician catches a small problem, they can perform the necessary heating or AC repair right away. Not only does it help extend the unit’s life span but also increases its energy efficiency.
Additionally, investing in HVAC maintenance helps ensure any repairs are covered, especially if your heating and cooling system is under warranty. Without it, your HVAC manufacturer will likely void your warranty. Keep in mind that furnace and air conditioning manufacturers don’t honor warranties for systems that have been neglected.
So you’ve scheduled an HVAC maintenance service call for the first time. What’s next? The following are some of the things you can expect as soon as the technician arrives at your home:
The heating and AC troubleshooting system technician’s first order of business — perform a thorough inspection of your unit. They will look for any signs of irregularities or hazards that may cause further damage in the future. Your technician will also inspect the system’s interior components, including the electrical connections, condensate drain line, air filters, thermostats, and the indoor and outdoor units.
For best results, schedule at least two HVAC inspections every year. If you schedule a tune-up in the spring, your technician will prioritize the air conditioning unit. Meanwhile, they will focus more on the furnace during fall maintenance visits. This way, your HVAC system is well-prepared every time the seasons change.
The role of professional HVAC technicians is to perform diagnostics on furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, heat pumps, and other comfort systems to check their overall condition. If they find signs of issues during the initial inspection, they will perform the necessary repairs right away. One good example is a leaking air conditioning unit. It has a refrigerant that cools your home and may produce condensation from time to time. However, these liquids should never leak into your home. If there is an active leak around your AC, it must be dealt with immediately so it doesn’t cause major problems.
Fortunately, HVAC technicians are experts at AC repair and make it a priority to protect your home from leaks. In case your HVAC technician uncovers a serious issue with your system, they may not finish the repair on the same day as the tune-up.
HVAC maintenance allows your technician to determine whether the system’s moving parts are still in great shape or needs to be replaced as soon as possible. Some parts of your heating and cooling units may need to be replaced a lot sooner than others including the capacitor and the compressor, both of which do the heavy lifting when the HVAC system is in operation. Depending on the diagnosis from the technician, they may either clean these components or replace them entirely if the signs of wear and tear are too severe to ignore.
If your heating or cooling unit shows signs of age, there can be a problem. After all, ensuring consistent indoor comfort accounts for nearly half of the energy expenses of an average household. Not only that, but it will also be difficult to achieve the desired temperature indoors since your units aren’t working properly. A heating and air conditioning replacement may be the best action if your technician determines that the units are nearing or are already past their life span.
The key to an efficient and functioning HVAC system is cleanliness. Over time, the coils, pans, and drain lines can get clogged with dirt, dust, and debris, which can negatively affect your unit’s long-term performance. As such, expect your technician to also perform a quick cleanup during your first maintenance visit. Apart from your HVAC system, they may also remove dust and dirt from your home’s ductwork. Once they’re cleaned, you may notice an immediate improvement in your system’s energy efficiency, as well as in the comfort and indoor air quality of your home.
Before your technician calls it a day, you’ll be given a summary of their findings. A reputable contractor will take the time to explain what parts of your system you should look out for and why they are suggesting a specific course of action for your unit. They will also provide you with a written report that details the condition of your unit. This should also include whether you will need any major repairs or not. Even if there’s nothing significantly wrong with your heating or cooling unit, it’s a good idea to ask your technician about HVAC-related questions to maximize your regular HVAC inspection.
Looking for a professional company for your HVAC repair and maintenance needs? Turn to Air Products & Services! In addition to providing high-quality heating and air conditioning replacement services, our team of certified technicians is also capable of ensuring your system is in great condition year-round. Through our preventative maintenance plans, you won’t have to miss out on your next few tune-ups and maintenance checks. Sign up now so you can rest assured that the furnace, heat pump, or AC won’t be at risk of breaking down when you need it most.
Call us today at (818) 989-2030, or fill out our online contact form to schedule a service appointment. We proudly serve Tarzana, CA, and the rest of Los Angeles County.