Photo Credit: One Beautiful Life Photo
We’ve all been there: a surprise heating or cooling system breakdown that leaves you either shivering in the dead of winter or sweltering in a house that’s hotter than your backyard.
Preventive maintenance through planned HVAC maintenance is the way to take care of your comfort needs beforehand so you can avoid all that discomfort.
(If you’re a Capital customer, our planned maintenance system is automatic, paperless, and seamless. Plus, you get 10% off on repairs, duct cleaning, and other services.)
Why you need preventive HVAC service
Like a car, your HVAC system needs regular maintenance to ensure that it’s running efficiently.
According to the Indoor Air Quality Association, routine maintenance on your heating and cooling system is essential.
It saves you money.
Getting your system checked and serviced regularly will help it run efficiently, help you catch problems before they lead to a breakdown, and keep your system running longer. All of this saves you money on your monthly bills and puts off the day when you’ll have to replace the system.
It improves your air quality.
Regularly checking and cleaning your system and air ducts keeps dust at bay (which can carry dust mites, pet dander, and mold). Reducing allergens helps you and your family stay healthy.
Makes you more comfortable.
Regular maintenance helps keep your home at a steady, comfortable temperature. Whatever type of system you have, ensure that it’s working like it’s supposed by having a technician check it regularly. That way, you can be extra sure it’s distributing air properly so you can stay cozy or cool.
Keeps your home safer.
Regular maintenance helps ensure that a system failure won’t lead to frozen, burst pipes and water damage. Having a technician out regularly can also protect you from carbon monoxide exposure due to a faulty heat exchanger.
Helps you go greener.
A well-maintained HVAC system is a more fuel-efficient HVAC system. Having a technician’s eye on your system is also good for the planet because they can give you the most updated information on refrigerant options and other ways to keep the environmental impact of your system as low as possible.
What should I look for in HVAC planned maintenance?
When you’re choosing an HVAC servicing company, find out what their routine maintenance includes and how often they do it. In our opinion, you should have your system checked at least once a year.
There’s a big difference between an inspection and full maintenance. If a company offers a “clean and check,” you’re getting exactly what it sounds like: they clean the exterior and do a visual inspection of your system, but they don’t take any measurements or examine inner components. (That’s like a doctor asking how you’re doing without taking your blood pressure.) Quick inspections are often done by less experienced technicians.
A full-service approach is a check and repair of all the different components of your system. It should include checks of firing efficiency, pressure, and system vitals. They should also be checking the averages on motors and making adjustments.
It’s simple to figure out whether planned maintenance is full-service or not. Simply ask them to explain the service and list what it includes. If they have an existing checklist, even better.
How does CHAC’s preventive maintenance help you maintain your system?
Our planned maintenance program has a slew of advantages. Here’s how it can help:
- You never have to remember to schedule. We call you! As long as you’re a member, it’s up to us to schedule and do a maintenance check once a year.
- You pay however it suits you best: yearly, quarterly, or monthly. We’re flexible.
- There are no overtime charges.
- You get 10% off repairs, services, and filters — year round!
- We prioritize your service, even if our schedule is packed.
- And the best part? It’s 100% risk free! If you experience a breakdown, we’ll give you credit for the value of your plan toward the needed repair.
Need a checklist for what these services include? Here’s a complete list of what’s included in each service on our website.
More on maintenance:
HVAC tips for pet owners
Our spring HVAC checklist
Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms