The Hidden Costs of Skipping HVAC Maintenance in Winter

Routine HVAC maintenance is an important part of promoting an efficient, safe, and comfortable Downers Grove, IL residence. Unfortunately, many homeowners fail to schedule this service, thinking it’s going to save them money. In the long run, you usually end up spending more money on frequent repairs, inefficiencies, and a premature breakdown of your equipment. Let’s take a closer look at the hidden costs of skipping HVAC maintenance this winter.

Unexpected Breakdowns

It’s common for HVAC systems to experience issues the more they are used and the older they get. Preventive maintenance can catch a lot of problems before they cause a catastrophic shutdown of your equipment. In the middle of a cold spell, the last thing you want to experience is a lack of warm air in your home. This is especially true if you live in a residence with small children, pets, or elderly people. Also, a rapidly dropping temperature in your home can lead to additional issues like your pipes freezing.

An Increase in Your Energy Bills

It’s common for energy bills to creep up as your HVAC system becomes less efficient and experiences problems. If we’re not catching those issues, the inefficiencies will only increase over time. If you’re experiencing a sudden spike in your energy consumption, your HVAC system may be to blame.

Decreased HVAC Equipment Lifespan

Having maintenance tasks and minor repairs performed periodically can protect the overall integrity of your HVAC system. This means you’ll be able to reap the benefits of an efficient and reliable furnace for approximately 20 years or more. This can be achieved with simple tasks like lubricating moving parts, fixing damaged electrical components, and tightening loose connections. Having to frequently replace your heating equipment can be very costly. It’s more affordable to schedule yearly maintenance.

Decreased Indoor Air Quality

When your heating equipment isn’t working properly, it can lead to unhealthy or unsafe indoor air quality. This can be caused by a high prevalence of particulate matter, bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens in your air. Damage to your system can even result in carbon monoxide leaking into your home, which can be deadly. This is common when damage exists to your heat exchanger. We want to spot this issue as soon as possible.

Routine maintenance involves cleaning some of the interior components of your HVAC equipment. These areas can get very coated in dust and debris over time, making them less efficient. Your system can become strained if these parts become overworked. We will also ensure that you’re keeping up with changing your filter regularly. Ideally, this should be done once every 30 to 90 days. We can also inspect the housing for your filter to see if that needs to be cleaned.

Voiding Your Manufacturer’s Warranty

There is likely coverage provided by the manufacturer of your HVAC equipment. If anything goes wrong with your equipment, this coverage will often pay for the repairs. However, many manufacturers insist that you keep up with routine maintenance of your equipment to keep this coverage valid. Always retain any receipts or documentation that we provide at your maintenance appointments as proof of service. If you can’t prove that you kept up with maintenance, you’re going to be responsible for paying out of pocket for repairs or equipment replacement.

How Often Is Routine Maintenance Needed?

It’s ideal that you schedule routine maintenance for your HVAC system at least once per year. Some people choose to schedule this appointment prior to the start of winter, which is one of the most extreme seasons. It’s important that your cooling equipment receives ongoing inspections and maintenance as well. You can schedule this service separately prior to the start of summer. However, you can have both of these areas of your HVAC system serviced at the same time.

If you would like to schedule routine maintenance of your Downers Grove HVAC system, reach out to our team here at Fire 'n' Ice Heating & Cooling Inc.. We also offer emergency repairs, the installation of new HVAC equipment, commercial HVAC, whole-house air purification equipment, and hybrid heat pumps.

Contact Fire 'n' Ice Heating & Cooling Inc. today for HVAC maintenance for your heating and cooling system in Downers Grove.