Sometimes though, the HVAC maintenance cost freezes us out.
And thats especially true when the system inevitably breaks on either the coldest or hottest day of the year.
Or on a weekend when service call rates for an HVAC technician jump.
Damir Sisic works on an outdoor A/C unit. Among things that need to be checked regularly, technicians should measure airflow and look at the voltage and all the connections. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder
Maintaining your system can help prevent some costly emergency repairs.
But what really needs to be done and how much should it cost?
HVAC Basics
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
The components vary based on the climate where you live.
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All types of systems need maintenance.
Reasons for Preventive Maintenance
Treat your HVAC like a car.
The same is true for the HVAC system.
A relatively new system may not need to be checked as often as a mature system, Davis said.
It also depends on the region of the country and where the equipment is installed.
HVAC Preventive Maintenance
Some regular HVAC maintenance is easy enough for any homeowner to do.
Other tasks require a trained professional.
Changing the air filter is one of those easy tasks and should be done every one to three months.
The filter is often in the air return area before the airflow makes it into the unit.
More expensive high-efficiency filters, such as HEPA, are not always better.
Low airflow can cause components to overheat and shut the system down.
A 20-by-20-inch air filter sells for $2 to $12 depending on quality.
That is a popular size, but verify you know what size your unit needs.
Before it gets cold, replace the filter in the humidifier and turn the water back on.
Moisture can damage the seal and allow cool air to get out of the house.
While some tasks are easy to do, there are others you should leave to the professionals.
The standards created a set of minimum tasks that should happen at an HVAC maintenance inspection.
In addition, he suggested asking if a company follows the ACCA standards or belongs to a trade association.
Things like that tend to point out the contractors who do better work, he said.
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