Preventive HVAC maintenance is an underappreciated strategy that directly impacts a household's or business's bottom line. First and foremost, well-maintained HVAC systems run more efficiently, which means they consume less energy. This decrease in energy usage translates right into lower utility bills, providing immediate relief to homeowners and business managers. Furthermore, routine maintenance catches small issues before they become big problems, allowing us to pay for service at a reasonable price instead of footing the bill for major repairs. Again, when we're paying for service, we're usually paying for the opportunity to keep the system running in tip-top shape instead of paying for the chance to keep the system from failing catastrophically.
Preventative HVAC maintenance pays off in many ways. One of the most critical—and perhaps the most advantageous—effects is that it prolongs the life expectancy of the whole system.
"We have found that buildings that do not engage in key maintenance strategies can easily see a return on investment for replacements of under 10 years," says Bhavik Kothari, an energy engineer with 15 years of experience in the field. "When you do basic maintenance, it extends the system's life to over 20 years." This effectively halves the number of times that building owners need to pay for new equipment and reduces the amount of disruption that must occur when old systems are replaced.
Future maintenance is always a good idea and often provides savings in the long run. Leave the regular checks up to qualified professionals, like those at Nashville's Clean Air HVAC, and use this schedule of tasks for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is in good shape and that avoiding money pits is a service to your wallet. Check the filter for cleanliness. A dirty filter means dirtier ducts, and duct cleaning is not a common service given to the majority of HVAC systems. Dust, allergens, and even bacteria can be found in the air coming from a vent if filters and ducts are not clean. Add to that the uniformity of heating and cooling that a clean system delivers—again, a service to your wallet because the system uses less energy when it performs well—and you can see the advantage of not overlooking this often-ignored area of preventative maintenance.