We’re approaching summer faster than ever it seems. In Houston, that means blazing hot sun, 100° days are normal, and HVAC failures are widespread. You know what we’re talking about, it’s too hot to go outside so you set the AC to 74°—and NOTHING. It either won’t even turn on or it teases you and blows out air—that is warm. You may even hear some clangs, grinding, or even smell something burning (never a good sign).
As the day goes on it’s only going to get hotter and as the days go by it will only get more unbearable. So, you’re stuck at home with a useless HVAC unit and it’s so hot even the dog has ditched you for the pool.
Typically, HVAC systems in Houston don’t go from 100% to broken in an instant. Usually, it’s a small problem that doesn’t really affect cooling much early on. But as that problem snowballs, it makes the unit progressively worse until—it fails.
The reason this sneaks up on most homeowners is that they forget to perform regular HVAC maintenance. In Houston, that is just begging for a breakdown with the way AC units are used almost year-round.
Let’s Circle Back Shall We?
They say hindsight is 20/20, so when you think back a few months you probably noticed something a bit off. However, many homeowners brush it aside as nothing—and it the time it may be. However, an insignificant symptom can turn into an insurmountable failure if left unresolved.
So, let’s think about what could’ve been done differently to avoid this potentially costly breakdown.
The main thing is performing regular maintenance on your HVAC system, not just when there’s a problem. Your system, at the very least, should be scheduled for HVAC maintenance in Houston twice a year. Once in the spring, and once in the fall. When you get regular maintenance on your unit, the technician will detect minor problems. They can repair a minor issue, often for pennies on the dollar versus the larger problem it can escalate into. A large repair could cost hundreds if not thousands; or worse—it could render your unit irreparable.
But, aside from avoiding big breakdowns, there’s a few more reasons to be on top of your HVAC maintenance in Houston.
The Benefits Of Regular HVAC Maintenance In Houston
We’ve already explored the scenario that involves an avoidable breakdown. Believe it or not—that scenario is all too common in Houston and all over Texas for that matter. Homeowners just don’t realize the many benefits of routine maintenance for the most expensive appliance in your home.
HVAC Maintenance Increases Efficiency
When you hear weird noises coming from your unit or strange thumps or grinding it’s obvious your unit needs a repair. However, this scenario is often avoidable with regularly scheduled maintenance to catch developing problems.
Even with Houston’s climate being warm enough to warrant the usage of your AC most of the time, that’s not always the case. There will be some months where the AC will sit for a month or two unused—typically between December and March.
However, before you fire up that AC the first day in spring when the temperature hits 75-80°, you should have it serviced. Even if there’s no signs of an issue, you want to make sure there’s no hidden issues that you discover too late. There’s nothing worse than finding out there’s a major issue when it’s the middle of July and 103° outside.
Additionally, regular inspections and maintenance help your unit run more efficiently. During a routine HVAC maintenance in Houston, filters will be replaced as well as coils replaced if needed. These two services alone will keep your unit running at peak efficiency. It can also prevent your system from overworking and shortening the lifespan of the unit.
HVAC Systems That Go Without Servicing Can Develop Mold And Allergen Accumulation
Almost $4 billion is spent annually for the treatment of allergies that are a result of damp conditions and mold buildup within U.S. homes.
What does that have to do with your HVAC system? Well, air conditioners play a major role in the air quality of your home during hotter months. Therefore, when you fail to service the unit regularly it can’t maintain the healthiest air quality.
An AC unit that is properly maintained filters out allergens, pollen, mold spores, and other nasties you don’t want in your air. On the other hand, a unit that is not properly serviced does a poor job of filtering allergens, mold spores, and more. This seeps into the ducts and you end up inhaling those spores as well. That can cause some serious health problems such as asthma or anaphylactic shock due to allergens inhalation.
Unstable Cooling Can Cause Energy Costs To Spike
Let’s face it—the cost of everything is going up. Gas, groceries, the price of energy, and the overall cost of living means you cut corners where you can.
Energy costs, in particular, soar wildly during the summer due to increased usage by the average homeowner. Some people prepare for it all year and put money aside for the summer months but not all have that luxury.
But, to make matters worse, when you don’t service your unit regularly it causes your system to cool erratically. This erratic cooling pattern creates a huge draw of electricity and your bill can double if you’re not careful.
Getting your unit serviced regularly allows your unit to offer peak performance without the huge spike in electricity costs. Sure, you can still cool your home with a unit that hasn’t been serviced properly. However, it’s going to work harder, cost you more, and shorten the lifespan of the system—which brings us to our next point.
Scheduled Maintenance Helps Your Unit Last Longer
An HVAC system is not a small investment, you spend time researching different companies and system models. So, with all that effort you put into the initial purchase, why not that same energy in maintaining it? If you don’t maintain it properly and have it serviced, all the research you’ve done was in vain.
There are plenty of issues that can arise from your HVAC system’s lack of regular maintenance. Insect nests, damaged wiring, mold buildup, dirty bearings—all these can shut down a system when unchecked. Regular maintenance is what keeps your system running at full efficiency for years rather than just a few months.
AirTeam Is The Best Choice For HVAC Maintenance In Houston
Summer is not the season you want to spend in the Texas heat waiting on service for a breakdown. Spring is the best time of year to have your AC unit serviced and fall is the best time to have your furnace serviced.
If you plan to use your AC system this summer and want to make sure it’s in top shape, contact us today! We’re standing by ready to get your AC running cold and smooth for the summer.
