The Cost Benefit of HVAC Maintenance for Homeowners 

By Thomas Terry, SameDay Heating & Air

Routine HVAC maintenance is a smart way to keep your home comfortable. It also helps avoid costly repairs. By committing to regular HVAC maintenance best practices, homeowners can significantly extend the life of their equipment and reduce utility costs. Those steps for saving money on your energy bills are detailed below.

Filter maintenance leads to furnace longevity 

One of the easiest ways to maintain your HVAC system is by regularly changing the filters. A clean filter helps airflow stay strong, allowing your furnace to run more efficiently. This HVAC best practice directly impacts your energy bills and the system’s lifespan.

For optimal performance, a one-inch filter should be changed at least monthly. Thicker filters (four or five inches) should be changed every six months. In homes with more dust, it’s best to change even these thicker filters every three months.

When filters become clogged, airflow decreases. This makes the furnace work harder and run longer to reach the desired temperature. Over time, this added strain leads to higher utility bills, increases the probability of breakdowns and reduces the lifespan of the furnace.

Regular filter changes and professional maintenance can help your furnace last up to 15 or 18 years, compared to just 10 to 12 years without proper care.

45-point inspection prevents costly breakdowns

Professional HVAC maintenance includes a 45-point inspection. This equipment audit checks all major components and the parts that protect the larger, more expensive pieces. This helps identify any potential issues early and prevents minor problems from turning into costly repairs.

During a 45-point maintenance inspection, technicians review critical components like capacitors, which can cause damage if they fail.

For example, a faulty capacitor might still allow a blower motor to run, but it will damage the motor over time. Replacing a capacitor costs a few hundred dollars, whereas replacing the motor could cost upwards of $2,000.

Think of HVAC maintenance as similar to getting a road trip inspection for your car. A thorough check-up can reveal parts that are worn out or on the verge of failure. By addressing these issues before they cause a breakdown, you can avoid the inconvenience and high costs of emergency repairs.

Without regular maintenance, HVAC systems often fail much earlier than expected. Some furnaces fail after only three years due to neglect. Routine maintenance ensures your system stays reliable and lasts longer, saving you money in the long run.

Repairs are more expensive than maintenance

HVAC repairs can be extremely expensive, especially once your system is out of warranty. As parts and labor costs rise, the price of repairs has followed suit. In some cases, it’s actually cheaper to replace an HVAC unit than to keep repairing it.

Regular maintenance is a proactive way to prevent these large repair bills. By addressing small issues during routine inspections, you can avoid major breakdowns and keep your system under warranty for as long as possible. This protects your investment and saves you thousands over the system’s lifespan.

Air conditioner maintenance leads to operational efficiency

Airflow is also critical for keeping your air conditioning system running efficiently. As with the furnace, regularly changing filters and keeping the outdoor unit clean helps ensure your AC runs smoothly.

For homes near cottonwood trees or areas with a lot of outdoor debris, it’s important to rinse the outdoor unit’s coils with a garden hose regularly. This simple task keeps the unit free from obstructions that reduce its ability to cool effectively.

In addition, keeping pets away from the outdoor unit is essential. For example, dog urine can corrode the fins on the AC unit, diminishing its cooling efficiency and ultimately leading to higher utility bills.

Making the investment in maintenance pays off

Regular HVAC maintenance saves homeowners money in both the short and long term. By keeping up with simple tasks like changing filters, scheduling professional inspections, and cleaning outdoor units, you can avoid expensive repairs. Contact our team at SameDay to learn more about a maintenance plan that’s best for your home.