What to Expect from All-Year Heating and Cooling Service

With the end of summer in sight, it may seem like it’s time to bid goodbye to your air conditioning and start to think about your heating come the winter. Your HVAC unit is actually not just something you should think about in summer or winter, especially in order to keep it functional, efficient, and well-maintained. All-year heating and cooling services guarantee that your system, your home, and your air quality stay in tip-top shape.

Where HVAC Meets Regular Maintenance

• It will last longer. Your system and the corresponding equipment does have a life expectancy, but you can extend it as long as possible by scheduling regular tune-ups, expeditiously calling the professionals when issues arise, and making sure to replace your filter on a monthly basis.
• Cheaper utility costs. If your system is well-maintained, functioning properly with no issues, and you make sure the current filter is new, then you’re able to have a unit that works efficiently and effectively. In doing so, you’re cutting down on the costs you expend to cover its use.
• Fewer repairs. By having regular tune-ups, a professional service is able to confirm that the system is running smoothly, which prevents any buildup of dust and debris and allows for optimal performance. This also means fewer repairs. Save yourself the headache and run-around of scheduling repairs and maintenance as an afterthought.
• Increase the comfort of the home. If you’ve stayed on top of your all-year heating and cooling maintenance, you can bet that if it’s an especially frigid winter, you’re going to feel especially secure knowing that you’re able to stay consistently warm and comfortable in your home. You can also rest assured that your air quality is clean and that the heating and cooling system is working well.
• HVAC investment: protect it. The purchase and installation of an HVAC unit isn’t exactly cheap … so you want to protect your investment and make sure it stays in good condition: running optimally and problem-free. It’s worth taking a proactive approach to your HVAC system so it can last for years or decades to come.

What Sort of Services Are Performed During Maintenance?

Preventative maintenance is the best way to keep your HVAC running smoothly and efficiently. The parts of the unit that are addressed include an inspection of the furnace and the air conditioning to make sure both are performing appropriately. Technicians also look at how the fan coil and the heat pump are working.

Furnace Tune-Up

In addition to looking for carbon monoxide leaks, technicians look at the burner and ignition assembly and clean them, the motor, and the filtration system. Other moving parts are addressed and oiled as needed. Safety tests are conducted, and a series of final checks are run, including tightening electrical connections and calibrating the thermostat.

Air Conditioning Tune-up

The condenser coil will be inspected (if accessible) and cleaned. This includes the drain and the blower motor. The filtration system will be reviewed and blower components adjusted. The condensate pump will be tested, as will the initial starting capabilities. Like the furnace, the air conditioner’s moving parts will be oiled, and the electrical connections tightened and measured.

Fan Coil Tune-up

The evaporator coil will be inspected and the blower motor cleaned. The components will be adjusted if needed and the safety controls tested and adjusted. The electrical heating elements will be inspected, calibrated, and tightened.

Keeping the coil clean actually has a demonstrated benefit: more efficiency and, in turn, a lower bill. According to the EPA, even as little as 1/10 of a centimeter may mean a reduction in efficiency, as much as 21 percent. Considering that number, with the average bill hovering around $1,500 per year, homeowners might be losing more than $300 a year because of the dirt layer.

Heat Pump Tune-up

After cleaning the coil, the drain will be next. The defrost controls and auxiliary heaters will be inspected, in addition to the filtration system. The technician will look for leaks, test the pump, and tighten the electrical connections. The air temperature differential will be tested and the refrigerant pressure gauged. Finally, the voltage and amperage will be tested and all electrical connections secured.

Why a Service Agreement Can Be Worth It

If you’re like many consumers, you immediately balk when someone mentions a service agreement. A service agreement comes at an extra cost and offers extra coverage in the maintenance and servicing of a purchase (most often technical). If you’re making a large investment in a new computer or expensive sound system, you might consider it worth the extra cost. It can be extremely useful if you’re buying a new HVAC unit too.

The services covered in an HVAC unit service agreement would usually include regular tune-ups, a coil cleaning, and a warranty that covers labor. They might also offer additional discounts, such as repair labor or replacement parts. A service agreement can work well for people who want the extra peace of mind that—should anything happen—they’re covered.

Heating and cooling seem to fizzle out at the worst time: on the hottest day or the coldest night, which makes sense when you consider that’s when your system is working its hardest. It’s not always just an issue of regular maintenance, however, and sometimes it’s just a matter of normal wear and tear that can create an unnecessary headache. A service agreement is perfect for anyone who wants to have a solution ready when something goes wrong.

At Watts Heating and Cooling, we pride ourselves on being the experts for all your HVAC heating and cooling needs. Our technicians are trained, certified, and knowledgeable. When it comes to keeping your HVAC unit fit to work the whole year, look no further. We offer installation and maintenance and are there for any of your all-year heating and cooling questions.