As the seasons change and the weather heats up, your heating and air conditioning unit might start to give you some trouble. That’s normal, but it also means you’ll have to find a way to pay for repairs sooner than you expected. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save money on HVAC repairs. By taking some simple precautions and following these tips, you can avoid costly out-of-pocket expenses and get your HVAC system back up and running as quickly as possible. These guidelines will also help you avoid costly repairs in the future by extending the life of your HVAC system and keeping it running efficiently throughout the year:
One of the easiest ways to save money on HVAC repairs is to change your air filter regularly. The filter in your HVAC system helps trap dust and other contaminants and prevent them from entering the rest of your home. Unfortunately, dirty filters can cause your HVAC system to run inefficiently and increase your energy bill. By changing your filter on a regular basis, you can save as much as $100 a year on your energy bill. Depending on the frequency with which you use your HVAC system, you may even be able to extend the life of your filter by a few months. That will save you even more money in the long run!
As you might expect, routine maintenance costs money. However, it can also help you avoid costly HVAC repairs by catching small issues early. For example, if you have a technician inspect your HVAC system before the end of summer, he or she can check for small issues that might otherwise go unnoticed throughout the rest of the year. This can save you a lot of money in the long run by catching issues before they become more expensive to repair. In addition to catching small issues, routine maintenance can also extend the life of your HVAC system. That means you’ll have to spend less money on repairs in the future because your system will be in better condition.
Another way to save money on HVAC repairs is to catch leaks before they become more expensive to repair. While you might think that leaking ductwork is an issue that only affects your comfort, it can actually have a significant impact on your overall energy bill. That’s because ductwork leaks can reduce the amount of air your HVAC system is able to distribute throughout your home. If you catch a leak before it becomes a more expensive repair, you can save as much as $800 a year in energy costs. That’s a significant amount of money that you can put toward other expenses.
As you might expect, the best way to save money on HVAC repairs is to address problems as soon as they appear. That’s because the longer you ignore problems, the more expensive they will become. For example, let’s say you notice that your HVAC unit isn’t cooling as efficiently as it used to. That’s a problem that you can address by calling a technician and asking for a tune-up. If you ignore the problem and let it go, you might end up having to replace the unit sooner than you expected. That can be a costly proposition, especially if you have to pay for a new unit all at once.
No matter how careful you are, HVAC repairs are inevitable. That’s why it’s important to be proactive and take steps to prevent them. By changing your air filter regularly, scheduling maintenance before the end of summer, checking for leaks before the end of winter, and not ignoring problems, you can avoid costly repairs in the future.
HVAC service maintenance can be performed once or twice a year, depending on usage. If it runs intermittently, then once a year is usually enough.
In addition to your air conditioner and furnace, HVAC includes combined systems like heat pumps and indoor air-quality equipment like air purifiers. It also encompasses the control systems and smart thermostats that help everything work together.