The United States Census Bureau reported in 2007 there were 70,397,000 centralized heating and air units in American homes. A time when indoor climate control was considered a luxury is now in the past. Today, homeowners believe comfortable temperature is a basic necessity.
Unfortunately, some residents fail to grasp the importance of routine upkeep. Although managing your home climate equipment may not seem like a high priority this instant, you might be faced with some extreme discomfort, regret, and financial burden if you place this simple preventative measure on the back burner.
“If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It?”
A common misconception is that the typical ten year life span of a unit means it can be relied on to run efficiently until it dies, without any additional service. HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems require regular check-ups to guarantee they survive the years they are capable of running in your home. Servicing your family vehicle is a familiar concept that is surprisingly not much different than home climate system care. It is common knowledge that vehicles need regular service to run safely. If you attempt to drive your car to and from work, your children’s school, or any of your other errands or entertaining endeavors without oil changes, it is absolutely neglectful and dangerous. The cost of an oil change every few thousand miles is minuscule by comparison to replacing a seized engine. Vehicle warranties only apply to owners who experience defects despite recommended auto care. Most climate equipment manufacturers also reserve the right to refuse replacing systems that have been neglected by the owner. Unless you have thousands of extra dollars you don’t mind spending on a new unit, it’s time to be proactive.
Daily Benefits
One of the instant rewards of maintaining a household system is reducing energy use and overall cost with each month’s bill. Homeowners spend an average of $2.000 annually in utility costs, 49 percent of which is heating and cooling energy consumption. Properly scheduled service is the most effective way to be sure that your home is not losing money through leaky ducts or inefficient components.
Service technicians will inspect every inch of your equipment in search of dirty, loose, or damaged parts that can threaten the safety of your family. Indoor climate systems are known for a variety of common and preventable issues, such as loose fittings, overheated coils, the freezing effects of low refrigerant, and compressor failure. A neglected furnace can even emit colorless, odorless, and deadly carbon monoxide into your home.
Responsible Homeownership
Improving safety, minimizing utility bills, and extending the life of your equipment are made simple by committing to a maintenance plan. Providers are eager to offer pre-arranged service agreements, allowing busy homeowners to schedule every necessary check up for the year as a discounted package deal. Crossing this chore off the list gives way to peace of mind, and more time to tackle the other joys of being a homeowner (like the plumbing or garage you’ve been avoiding).
