Get Proper Heating and Cooling Systems Maintenance

Having a working HVAC system in your home is an essential part of safe, comfortable living. This is especially true in the winter and summer months when the temperatures reach occasionally dangerous extremes. Scheduling maintenance service for your HVAC system at opportune times of the year helps keep your system running smoothly all year long. Read on for valuable information about how to get proper heating and cooling systems maintenance today.

Home HVAC Systems 101

Homeowners in the U.S. rely on their HVAC systems more than the people of every other nation combined. Therefore, when an HVAC system breaks down, a household becomes disrupted. HVAC stands for “heating, ventilation and air conditioning,” all of which are essential to healthy living in modern times.

Benefits of a Working HVAC System

A working HVAC system equates to a comfortable living environment. The system contributes to more than comfort, however. A properly working HVAC system also contributes to a safe and healthy living environment. Properly cleaned ductwork contributes to healthy clean air distributed through the ventilation system. This benefits people with allergies, asthma or other respiratory issues. This also benefits the entire household because the quality of air a person breathes impacts the quality of his or her daily life. Extreme temperatures cause discomfort, which might lead to less productivity.

Extreme temperatures are also dangerous for people with certain ailments, illnesses or disabilities. Elderly household members are also in danger of serious medical issues when temperatures outside reach extremely low or high degrees. A working HVAC system regulates the climate in a home so everyone in it has as safe, comfortable, and healthy environment in which to live.

HVAC System Parts and Components - Here’s What Can Go Wrong

Some issues with HVAC systems are simple to diagnose and repair. Others (such as when forced air central A/C units connected to water heaters break down) make things more complicated to assess. If your HVAC system is not working properly, the issue might be something as simple as a dead battery in your thermostat. Another simple problem to assess and repair is a dirty or clogged filter in your furnace. When refrigerant runs low or out, your A/C will blow warm air instead of cold. A tripped circuit breaker due to a power surge or brownout from a bad storm or faulty electrical wiring might also send your breakers and/or HVAC system into protection mode.

More complicated issues to repair include a broken or damaged float, float switch, evaporator coil or condenser coil. A float detects when water leakage into the drain pan is above normal levels. The float switch shuts down the HVAC system in such cases to prevent further damage. Dirty, clogged or damaged coils reduce airflow through your ductwork and shut down your HVAC system entirely.

The Importance of Working HVAC Systems During Winter and Summer Months

The risk of heat stroke or other heat-related physical or medical issues during the summer is drastically increased when an HVAC system fails. The risk of hypothermia or deaths related to extreme cold temperatures is also elevated significantly during the winter months when your heating system fails. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services even provides a state-by-state resource list, which displays the laws imposed upon energy companies pursuant to bill-related shut-off notices during extreme weather conditions. Such mandates and regulations underline the importance of having a working HVAC system in your home during winter and summer months.

Best Times to Get Your HVAC System Checked

The best times to schedule regular service appointments for your HVAC system vary based on your geographic location and climate conditions where you live. Your HVAC system will have different service requirements if you live in an area of the country with four full seasons rather than where it is warm or cold most months. The same is true for homes located in areas where temperatures are mild most of the year. If you experience four full seasons it is best to have your HVAC system serviced twice per year, once each in the spring and fall. Even if you live where temperatures are consistent all year long it is advisable to have your HVAC system checked annually or biannually, depending on the extremes of the temperature ranges in your area.

Average Prices

Prices for HVAC system maintenance and repair services vary greatly across the country based on numerous factors. For example, simple service checkups will cost less than repairing or replacing an evaporator condenser coil. Labor, time, parts, location and provider policies all factor into average prices as well.

Simple issues such as replacing circuit breakers, filters and tubes might cost as little as $15 plus labor and time. The repair or replacement of a coil or air compressor might cost anywhere between a couple hundred to multiple thousands of dollars. Basic service calls where no repairs are needed can cost between $50 and $150 per hour, depending on service provider policies. Most A/C and furnace repair calls average between $150 and $550, however.

Best Available Nationwide HVAC Service Providers

The best HVAC maintenance and repair services are experienced, affordable, and available when you need them. Both nationwide and local HVAC companies are in business near you. Searching for the best HVAC repair service for your needs sometimes involves taking a word-of-mouth approach. Talking to friends, family, coworkers, and community acquaintances gives you free, real-world insight as to which HVAC service companies have a positive reputation in your region.

Searching online using Google or Yelp also helps locate both local and nationwide HVAC teams available for your needs. Angi and HomeAdvisor are also trusted online resources for finding the best HVAC services available. Trusted companies such as The Home Depot (offering HVAC services for $79-99) and Sears provide HVAC system maintenance, repairs and installation around the country.  Some of the best HVAC technicians in the U.S. are trained and by NATE (North American Technician Excellence), which facilitates the largest U.S. HVACR certification organization in operation. Companies such as Service Experts employ more than 4,000 team members, including service technicians trained by NATE. Additional top nationwide HVAC service companies available today include National HVAC Service and Total System Services.