What Happens If I Don’t Service My HVAC System? Risks and Consequences

A fully operational HVAC system, which includes both your heating and cooling systems, is essential for maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home in the winter and summer months. In order for this equipment to function efficiently throughout the entirety of its lifespan and beyond, it requires diligent air conditioner and furnace maintenance that is performed regularly, in part by the homeowner and also by certified HVAC technicians. Neglecting to service your furnace and AC can lead to a range of consequences, including increased energy bills and reduced system performance. A well-maintained HVAC system can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for costly repairs and can improve things like your indoor air quality and energy efficiency. This article will go over the vital furnace and AC maintenance steps to take on your own, the common problems you can run into with your equipment and the solutions you can troubleshoot with, and how regular services from a professional can assist you with keeping your heating and air conditioning fully functioning all year round.

Common Heating and Air Conditioning Problems

If you don’t service your HVAC equipment regularly, it is likely you will encounter numerous issues. Among the most common issues you could encounter are:

• Low airflow
• Uneven temperatures
• Short cycling
• Higher energy bills
• Bad odors
• Strange noises
• Unresponsive thermostat
• Cool air coming from vents when running the heater
• Warm air coming from vents when running the air conditioner

Regular furnace maintenance and AC servicing can help you to avoid a lot of these issues by maintaining aspects such as the filter, blower, fan, coils, and other parts of the furnace and AC so that they do not become overwhelmed by rust and dirt. Through routine maintenance, you will also catch minor issues before they can grow into bigger problems, saving money and keeping your furnace and AC in tip-top shape the whole year round.

Air Conditioner Maintenance

Regular maintenance is highly recommended to keep your air conditioner unit in top shape and prevent it from failing prematurely. You want to perform small maintenance tasks about once a month on your air conditioner unit around the cooling season. Maintenance includes tasks such as cleaning air filters, inspecting the condenser unit to make sure there are no obstructions building up, and checking internal components like the condenser and evaporator coil and drain pipes. These small tasks can help to ensure that major problems are less likely to build up over time that can lead to dust and allergens circulating through your indoor air and complete system breakdowns.

You also would benefit greatly from having an annual inspection of your AC system from licensed HVAC specialists. A tune-up can help identify potential issues before they become major problems, saving you money and hassle, and professional technicians will know all of the warning signs to look out for. Professional air conditioning services cover issues such as checking for clogged drain lines, refrigerant leaks, compressor issues, frozen or dirty coils, faulty motors, and fan problems.

Furnace Maintenance

Furnace maintenance should also be performed roughly once a month during heating season. Furnace maintenance you can perform on your own includes changing dirty filters, cleaning out the blower compartment, and inspecting heating elements.

Professional furnace maintenance is necessary as well. Once a year, it is a good idea to have a certified HVAC company come out and service things like the electrical and/or gas components, the heat source, the burners, the blower motor, safety switches, and the heat exchanger.

HVAC Filter Maintenance

Air filters play a crucial role in maintaining system efficiency and indoor air quality. They are responsible for catching any debris, dust particles, and airborne contaminants in the air so that they don’t circulate back through the system and into the air you breathe. Regularly replacing or cleaning your air filters in your furnace/AC can help prevent issues like high energy bills and reduced furnace and air conditioner performance. An overly dirty or blocked HVAC filter can be the reason behind many common heating and AC problems. It’s highly recommended to replace or clean your air filters every 1-3 months, depending on usage and manufacturer recommendations, for the safety of you and your household.

Air Filters and Ductwork

Air filters are responsible for catching a majority of the contaminants, but there are still dust particles, pet dander, and other allergens that go through your ductwork and build up there. If there is enough debris within the ducts, it can cause poor indoor air quality, clogged airflow, and even mold and mildew growth within the air ducts. Duct cleaning is an important maintenance task that can either be performed on your own or by an HVAC specialist.

If you have any damaged ducts, these will require immediate repair. Inspecting ducts is something a furnace and AC maintenance job can cover when you schedule with a professional. Damaged or leaky ducts can allow air to leak out into areas such as the attic or crawlspace, costing you an unnecessary amount of energy. Duct repair tasks can vary: for example, you may require a duct sealing job to take care of holes or cracks, or you may need to have the ducts entirely replaced if they are too damaged.

Heater and AC Maintenance in the Off-Season

You should schedule maintenance from HVAC contractors two times a year: one for your furnace and one to have your air conditioner serviced. Tune-ups should be scheduled in the fall for furnaces and in the spring for air conditioning. It is always best to get any inspections and possible repairs out of the way during the off-season so that you don’t have any surprise troubles in the middle of the hot or cold weather when you need your air conditioner or heater to be fully operational. If you need an emergency furnace or AC repair in the middle of heating or cooling season, the wait times could be long, so it is best to get everything out of the way before the cold or hot weather truly begins.

Keep Your Heater and AC Unit in Top Shape With Regular Maintenance

Professional maintenance jobs, such as those provided by John Owens Services, can guarantee you a fully functioning unit for both the summer months and winter months. We are committed to maintaining and expanding the lifespan of your furnace and air conditioner. Homeowners in Santa Rosa deserve HVAC experts they can trust to protect their air conditioning and heating systems from expensive repairs and premature replacement. When you schedule with us, we get to work on the problem right away so that you don’t have to deal with furnace and AC unit issues on your own. The moment you need your annual furnace maintenance before the winter or want your air conditioner serviced in the spring before the warm weather months, schedule a job with John Owens Services!