Imagine coming home and turning on your heater for some relief from the cold winter day to find out that your pilot or ignition will not turn on. Whenever your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system does not work, it is never a good day. Most of us use our air conditioning in the summer months to get some relief from the heat and our heater in the winter to warm up. But, it can be frustrating when something happens to our HVAC system so that it does not work.
Of course, doing regular maintenance to your HVAC system can help to prevent more significant problems from happening. Having a professional HVAC service company come to your home to inspect at least once a year and perform ac tune up in Arlington, TX can help to maintain your system. This way, you can rest assured that everything is working on all cylinders.
When you have a professional come to your home, you may wonder what could be included in the HVAC service they are providing. Well, we are here to give you the details.
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Thermostat Assessment
A professional will come in and check your thermostat settings. They will check the temperature you have set for your home, make sure it is in a comfortable enough setting for when you are in the house, and suggest the temperature to conserve energy when you are not home.
Electrical Connections
The HVAC professional will check to make sure that all your wires are attached correctly. Having the proper electrical connections is essential for your HVAC system to work right. If a wire is unplugged or not connected to the right place, your HVAC system can overheat or even stop working.
Lubrication of the Compressor
The compressor in your HVAC system is responsible for turning hot air into cold air. Essentially, it is the part of your system that makes the house cool. This part must stay lubricated because it reduces resistance, not to mention saves on energy. When an HVAC professional comes to your house, they should provide this service.
Examination of the Condensate Drain
The condensate drain is the exit route for the moisture as the air passes through the evaporator coils. The condensate drain is an essential part of an HVAC system because if too much water is produced, it can cause an electrical fire. When a professional comes to provide you with service, they check to ensure the drain is not clogged or obstructed.
Operation Assessment
The professional will test the general functions of your HVAC system. For example, does it turn on, shut off, and run smoothly without strange noises or problems? If it doesn’t, it needs repairs or replacement.
Outside System
The professional will check your outdoor system to make sure that it is running smoothly and there is not a lot of debris around the system,
Fan Assessment
The HVAC professional will ensure that your system’s fan is running smoothly and that the motor is running correctly. They will also make sure your fan is not damaged.
Air Filter Inspection
You should change or clean your air filter every few months. But if you don’t, the HVAC professional will do it for you.
Now, you can worry less knowing that your HVAC system will get maintained whenever you call the professionals.
What are the benefits of regular HVAC servicing?
Regular HVAC maintenance is crucial for the durability of the system and the health of your family. Hiring reliable technicians for routine HVAC maintenance saves you money in the long run, but this is just one of the many benefits of servicing the HVAC system. Please read for more.
It will reduce the risk of system breakdowns
Unexpected situations that call for emergency repairs are stressful and you should avoid them as much as possible. You don’t want your HVAC to break down in the middle of the hot summer. Annual maintenance will reduce the risk of unpleasant situations.
During the maintenance service, the HVAC service technician will see if any problems could cause costly repairs in the future. The technicians will also tune up the system so that everything works correctly for the longest time.
The system will last for a long time
Buying a new HVAC unit isn’t cheap and you want to avoid this purchase for a long time. If you skip HVAC system maintenance, you risk the unit’s wearing out long before its time. No HVAC system is made to run forever.
Most models will perform for 10 to 15 years and you can surpass it with regular maintenance services. HVAC systems are always a significant investment and you want to make the most out of your current HVAC system with regular servicing.
Your bills will reduce
When the HVAC system operates efficiently, it will use less energy to cool/heat the house. When your utility bills are higher than usual, an inefficient HVAC system could be the reason. When your HVAC system is serviced regularly, it will perform as expected and you will no longer spend money for repair and replacement.
Regular inspection helps identify any problems in their early stages; replacing the heat pump or the condenser is more expensive than you think! If you think about the money you can save, the maintenance services are worth every single time.
It will improve indoor air quality
A dirty HVAC system cannot produce clean and healthy air. If the dust, pet dander, and contaminants clog the ductworks, the indoor air quality is poor and alters the family’s health, especially for family members with allergies or breathing issues.
With regular maintenance servicing, the technicians will clean the fan motor, the coils, and other elements of the HVAC system. This way, the risk of allergic reactions will decrease. If any family member deals with asthma, chronic respiratory issues, or allergies, you must regularly have professionals servicing the HVAC system. The air will be healthier and your family will be happy and sound.
You will be relaxed
Nobody wants to be stressed at home but enjoy the time as much as possible. When your HVAC system is regularly serviced, you don’t worry about issues occurring in the middle of a cold night. Reliable technicians pay attention to the most minute detail, spot issues right in the beginning and recommend solutions that save you money.
Familiarity
If you hire the same team of experts for regular HVAC maintenance, you will get to know the technicians servicing your system. You will be familiar with the people working on the system and the technicians will have a better understanding of your family’s needs for best indoor comfort.
Being familiar with technicians throughout the HVAC agreement is beneficial for everyone involved. It will be easier for them to identify the issues and signal you the problems as they occur. That is if you hire a reliable and experienced HVAC servicing company.
How do you find a reliable HVAC servicing team?
When you look for a reliable HVAC servicing company, you need to consider several aspects. You want to find the most reliable, experienced, and easy to work with HVAC technicians—here’s what to check out when selecting HVAC technicians!
Know your needs
Before hiring an HVAC company, make sure you know which model you have and its maintenance history. Make sure you signal your technicians that some rooms feel less comfortable than others. Such information can help the experts to identify issues and solve them. If they’re knowledgeable, they will provide you with solutions the moment they come for services.
Know the state’s requirements for HVAC contractors
Every state has particular guidelines on bonding, licensure, insurance, and continuing education. HVAC technicians have two to five years of training and pass a written exam. The contractors have to know about refrigerant, airflow, ductwork, combustion system, and electrical wiring. Additionally, the HVAC technicians learn about critical safety problems. Some states require the HVAC contractors to take education courses to maintain the licenses regularly.
Check out the credentials
Licensed HVAC contractors should have a state Construction Contractors Board number or something similar. Please ask for it if you cannot find it on the contractor’s website. Remember to check out the liability insurance coverage (ask for evidence of coverage) and seek that the license is active through the state board. You know that the HVAC contractor is reliable if he’s happy to provide you with any information you need.
Ask around for referrals
Ask family, friends, and neighbors for referrals. Learn if the HVAC provider of their choice has stayed within the budget, completed the job on time. Previous customers are the best to tell about a contractor’s servicing.
Get quotes in writing
If you suspect you need a new cooling/heating system, the HVAC technician will help you find the best system. When selecting the new system, your house’s size, insulation, windows, and ductwork are factors to consider. Make sure you get all bids in writing and see that details like warranties are also included.
Take a look at the reviews
Even if the price is essential when selecting an HVAC company, reputation is also crucial. Read the customers’ reviews on social media, Yelp, etc. No company is perfect, but it helps you select the most suited for your needs and budget.
Examine the references
When you look for an HVAC company, you will see that the best contractors are proud of their work and are happy to provide you with three references. Contact the references and get the details you need about the contractor’s work; ask them if they were pleased with the results. See if the contractor comes as scheduled, respects the deadline and the set budget as well.
Ask for a written proposal
Once you’ve selected the HVAC contractor, ask them to offer you a written proposal that you double-check. The proposal should include the job schedules, costs, model numbers, payment schedules, warranty information, and various details that protect you in case of any problems. When the contractor isn’t willing to supply you with a written quotation, you shouldn’t sign the agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you call the HVAC technicians for servicing?
Regardless of the type of HVAC system you have, professionals recommend inspection, cleaning, and servicing it at least yearly. Ideally, you should check the heating system in the fall and the air conditioning inspected in the spring.
How much should you pay for HVAC maintenance services?
Regular AC maintenance servicing will cost between $75 to $200 for essential tune-ups. For extended service, expect to pay anywhere between $150 and $500. This kind of servicing will include both the heating and cooling system. If your HVAC system needs repairs outside the standard service, you will pay an HVAC technician $50 to $150 per house.
What does it mean to service the HVAC system?
You want to prevent problems and keep the house as comfortable as possible year-round and hiring professionals for HVAC maintenance is crucial. HVAC maintenance refers to maintaining the air conditioner/heater by inspecting, testing, cleaning, and even replacing components in the system. If need be, repairing will also be developed with the maintenance work.
How long does HVAC service take?
Annual or bi-annual HVAC maintenance servicing can take around 2 hours. Several factors come into play and affect the length of the process. The type of AC you have, the amount of time since the last servicing, and the size of your house impacts the servicing length.
Is it mandatory to service the HVAC system?
When you skip or postpone the HVAC maintenance, the system will become inefficient and cause higher energy bills. When not serviced in time, the HVAC system will break down frequently and require replacement ahead of its expected life span.