Spring in Springfield, MO ushers in warm, temperate weather and bright sunny days. Most afternoons are mild enough to leave windows open and freshen homes with cool cross-breezes. Like many locals, you may spend weeks using your HVAC system very little or not all. With severe weather both behind you and well ahead, spring is the perfect time to have your HVAC system tuned up. Discover five solid reasons why.
1. Set Yourself Up for Summertime Energy Savings
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), you can increase the efficiency of your HVAC system by as much as 15% by replacing its air filter alone. Imagine how much more energy you could save by having your heating and cooling equipment professionally tuned.
Springtime tune-ups set the stage for efficient summertime operation. During these visits, our technicians optimize airflow, replace worn parts, lubricate moving components, and take other actions to optimize overall performance. We check and clean AC condensate drain lines, look for HVAC air duct leaks, measure refrigerant levels, and adjust fan speeds. With our help, you can ensure that your heat pump or air conditioner isn’t using more energy than necessary to keep your home cool. You can also look forward to a smaller carbon footprint, lower home energy bills, and a significantly decreased risk of costly, wear or maintenance-related repairs.
2. Avoid Dangerous Mid-Season Breakdowns
Springtime tune-ups provide an excellent opportunity for our technicians to catch and correct minor issues before they cause costly problems or lead to outright HVAC system failure. We look for issues like:
- Bent, loose, or broken fan blades
- Worn electrical contacts
- Refrigerant leaks
- Faulty thermostats
These and other problems can cause air conditioners to run longer with less effective cooling cycles. They can also accelerate normal wear and shorten AC and heat pump lifespans.
If you have an unchecked refrigerant leak, your cooling system will have an increasingly difficult time lowering your indoor temperature. Your AC or heat pump compressor will struggle to adequately pressurize and depressurize dwindling coolant. Without intervention, this is an issue that can lead to compressor failure and the need for AC replacement.
By scheduling pre-season tune-up service, you can sidestep expensive replacement or repair services. Resolving HVAC equipment problems early on is always cheaper than letting issues fester until they spiral out of control. Routine maintenance, timely diagnoses, and rapid repairs are also the safest choices. Worn wiring and faulty electrical contacts pose the risk of electric shock, electrocution, and fast-spreading electrical fires. Worse still, worn and ill-maintained cooling equipment can break down just when summer temperatures are at their highest. If your AC breaks down when summer temperatures near the 90s or soar to those rare triple digits, your living space could become temporarily uninhabitable. Lacking a functional cooling system, building residents could be at risk of heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses.
3. Stay Warranty Compliant
All new HVAC equipment comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. HVAC manufacturer warranties are mutually binding agreements that cover the costs of essential replacements and repairs when problems are due to manufacturing errors. For instance, your AC or heat pump warranty will cover parts replacements when problems arise as the result of defective components or faulty assembly. However, all warranty holders are required to adhere to the terms of their warranty contracts. For most covered HVAC equipment, this includes scheduling professional maintenance at least once every 12 months. Scheduling tune-up service before summer arrives will make it easier to submit warranty claims for processing without experiencing unfortunate processing delays or denials.
If your HVAC system is no longer covered by its manufacturer’s warranty, you may still be required to schedule annual maintenance. Scheduling routine maintenance is a common requirement of home warranties that cover both home systems and appliances. Many home insurance companies also require regular maintenance for all covered home systems.
4. Sidestep the Rush for Last-Minute Service
Skipping spring maintenance is an unfortunately common mistake. People often assume that if their air conditioners were working well in the prior cooling season, they’re guaranteed to still work well in the coming summer. When air conditioners and heat pumps are dormant for extended periods, they can develop thick buildups of biofilm and algae in their condensate drains and drain lines. These buildups can lead to elevated humidity inside your home and functional problems like short cycling, icing, or overheating.
Dirty condensate drains are but one of many issues that can occur when homeowners skip pre-season maintenance. Dirty air conditioners and heat pumps can lower indoor air quality (IAQ) to unsafe levels or simply fail to turn on.
If you wait until summer to determine whether your cooling system is in good condition, you might have to wait in line for service. Local HVAC companies are frequently inundated with urgent service requests as soon as the outside temperature soars. As demand for HVAC service rises, the cost of service often rises as well. It’s much cheaper and easier to take care of everything while the weather is still mild and before you need daily cooling.
5. Make Essential Pre-Season Upgrades or Replacements
Another major benefit of scheduling pre-season HVAC tune-up service is being able to make replacements or changes in your cooling system without feeling rushed. For instance, if you skip AC maintenance and your air conditioner breaks down, you might have to choose from a limited range of replacement products due to budget and time constraints. With more time on your hands, you can explore your options in financing, take full advantage of rebates, tax credits, and other incentives, and plan for a quick and overall convenient work process.
During your maintenance service, your HVAC technician might find that you need an integrated HVAC accessory to reach your IAQ goals or keep your indoor humidity in check. If you receive a recommendation for integrated humidity control or IAQ support during pre-season maintenance, you’ll have plenty of time to learn about whole-house dehumidifiers, air purifiers, UV lights, air scrubbers, and more.
Preventative Maintenance Plans Make Spring Tune-Ups Easy and Affordable
Homeowners cite a variety of reasons for skipping pre-season HVAC maintenance. In addition to assuming that previously functional cooling equipment is guaranteed to still be functional, people often neglect these services due to busy work schedules and high service costs. Fortunately, you can always invest in a preventative HVAC maintenance plan that lowers the cost of tune-up service, makes scheduling easy and hassle-free, and gives you the benefit of regular service reminders and other perks. With our Klear Choice Membership plan, you’ll get covered annual inspections for all your home systems, including your HVAC system, plumbing system, and electrical system. Our preventative maintenance plan also includes:
- After-hours service without extra fees
- Discounted parts and repairs
- Two-year labor warranties
- $500 off replacements
- Priority service during peak seasons
With our preventative maintenance plan, you can save on every service call, extend the lifespan of your HVAC system, and enjoy efficient HVAC performance year-round.
We proudly serve residents of Springfield, MO and the surrounding cities with our HVAC maintenance. You can count on us for expert heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical service. We also provide cutting-edge indoor air quality improvements and whole-house surge protection. To get your HVAC system summer-ready or find out more about our preventative maintenance plan, get in touch with All Klear now.
