What Does an Annual HVAC Maintenance Plan Include

Many home and business owners slack off on scheduling annual HVAC maintenance, believing they’ll save a few extra dollars by doing so. However, consistent maintenance is the key to HVAC longevity, performance, and efficiency. You might cut your bills and service needs, especially as your system ages. 

As your go-to for reliable HVAC services in Louisville, KY, A1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling explores what a licensed technician does during a typical maintenance service. Once armed with this information, you might feel more motivated to take better care of your residential or commercial system. 

What Is HVAC Maintenance?

A routine HVAC maintenance service depends on your chosen company. Providers like A1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling typically include inspections, tune-ups, and minor repairs. The tech pays attention to small details that might otherwise slip through the cracks and create a bigger problem in later months or years. 

This preventative maintenance elevates comfort, improves health, and saves money. After all, heating and cooling systems are expensive investments that property owners rely on more than they might realize.

Why Do You Need Maintenance Services?

Your HVAC system is a complex piece of equipment. If you own a central system or heat pump, you might rely on it for comfort year-round. Separate heating and cooling systems may need separate maintenance services before you begin using them. Although every system has different needs, each can reap the following benefits from regular maintenance. 

Long-Term Advantages

You may gawk at shelling out more money for property upkeep. Do you need to invest in another service when your HVAC system runs perfectly well? No, you don’t have to. 

However, you will likely notice the return on investment through: 

• Increased energy efficiency: HVAC units can quickly get dirty. Outdoor units become encased in organic debris while indoor counterparts collect dusty coatings. Maintenance eliminates this filth, allowing the units to have adequate breathing room. 
• Better indoor air quality: Components like filters, vent grates, and duct openings can also collect dust, which repeatedly circulates throughout the building. Annual HVAC maintenance enhances your cleaning efforts by tidying these components, keeping indoor air fresh and breathable. 
• Elevated comfort: You might notice that you don’t constantly tweak the thermostat anymore. Enhanced efficiency combined with cleaner duct networks leads to evenly dispersed air throughout your home or business. 
• Enhanced performance: A clean, perfectly functioning system doesn’t struggle to circulate air. You can also have your system balanced and rezoned to ensure each room receives adequate air delivery. 
• Fewer future service needs: Finally, you can save money by avoiding repair services altogether. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t address obvious repair needs. However, you won’t likely encounter as many performance issues when your system runs like a well-oiled machine. 

Ultimately, these benefits lead to longer life expectancy. The average HVAC system lasts 10 to 15 years, give or take. You can keep your units working beautifully for over a decade with proper care. 

What Happens Without It?

What if you don’t make annual HVAC maintenance part of your routine? Many issues will bubble beneath the surface until they eventually boil over. You could face:

• Expensive repairs: Essential components will fall into disrepair much faster without professional cleaning and recalibration. 
• Excessive energy usage: You might watch in horror as your utility bills climb. No amount of unplugging devices and keeping the lights off makes a dent in the expenses. 
• Distractions: Obnoxious noises and foul smells become the norm as parts loosen and stagnant water or debris causes bacterial growth and decay. 
• Subpar comfort: It feels slightly too warm or cool, no matter how often you tamper with the thermostat. 
• Untimely replacements: Your HVAC system’s lifespan comes to a close much faster due to stress, poor performance, and excessive exertion to reach your temperature settings. Imagine how much you could save by replacing your system every 15 to 20 years instead of every decade. 

What exactly does a technician do to help you avoid the above-listed pitfalls? You’ll learn more about the service below. 

What an Annual HVAC Maintenance Plan Includes

As mentioned, the maintenance service plan varies. Many companies offer plans that address maintenance needs and supply other benefits. A1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling offers the A1 Advantage Club Membership, which includes the following services and advantages. 

Inspections

A thorough system inspection is more than a quick visual once-over. Your technician will carefully evaluate visible components to look for clues that other problems might exist out of view. They will inventory items that need cleaning, tightening, and calibration before beginning the tune-up service. 

Tune-Ups

HVAC tune-ups generally include the following:

• Thermostat recalibration: Thermostats can get thrown off and provide inaccurate readings and poor performance. A recalibration will get your technology back on target. 
• Coil cleanings: Evaporator and condenser coils can become filthy. Your technician will clean them to enhance performance. 
• Unit tidying: Your technician may dust vent grates and remove excess debris surrounding indoor and outdoor units. 
• Fan and belt adjustments: The fan and belt can become too loose to perform well. The contractor checks and tightens them to improve motor performance. 
• Condensate system cleaning: Debris and dust can fall into the condensate pan, making their way into the drain line. Skimming debris out of the pan prevents future leaks and other concerns. 
• Minor repairs: If your technician encounters small problems they can fix on the spot, they will quickly tackle them and save you from future repair calls. 
• Recommendations: Your technician might notice things you should keep an eye on. They will tell you about them before they leave. 

Join A1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling’s A1 Advantage Club for Maintenance in the Tri-State Area

At A1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling, we include our annual HVAC maintenance services in the A1 Advantage Club. Become a member for regular maintenance and other savings perks. Contact us to learn more about becoming a member.