After purchasing an HVAC system and paying to have it installed, it’s easy to think of regular maintenance as yet another expense.
However, the reality is that HVAC maintenance is essential for keeping your system running at its best, as well as a great way to lower the costs of heating and cooling your place of business over the long term.
From filter cleaning to checking and topping up coolant levels, there are several tasks that need to be performed to keep your HVAC system running smoothly. We’ve listed the key benefits you can expect from HVAC maintenance below, from financial perks to cleaner air.
Fewer expensive, unexpected repairs
From time to time, every HVAC system will need emergency repairs. However, HVAC units that are well maintained by a 24 hour AC repair technician are far less likely to fail than units that aren’t properly cared for.
Regular, routine maintenance of your HVAC system cuts down the likelihood of parts failing at the worst possible moment. It also means there’s a lower chance of major mechanical issues developing over time.
The end result of this is lower long-term running costs for your HVAC system, producing real savings for your business over the course of months, years and decades.
A huge improvement in energy efficiency
As a general rule, the better maintained your HVAC system is, the less energy it will use to cool or heat your place of business.
Like all electrical equipment, HVAC systems need to be serviced regularly in order to operate at their best. Just like your car becomes less efficient when it isn’t properly maintained, your HVAC system can become less energy efficient when it isn’t properly cared for.
Simple maintenance such as replacing your HVAC system’s filter, removing debris from around the exterior unit and fixing coolant leaks can produce a noticeable improvement in your HVAC system’s energy efficiency, resulting in lower energy bills for your business.
Cleaner, healthier and better air
Over time, dust and debris can collect inside your HVAC system, resulting in a reduction in air quality. While poor air quality isn’t always immediately noticeable, it can cause nasty reactions and health issues over the long term.
To prevent debris from flowing into your place of business, commercial air conditioning systems include one or several filters. Over time, these filters can become dirty and clogged, reducing efficiency and compromising the quality of air from your HVAC system.
Regular maintenance — particularly cleaning and replacing air filters as they become dirty — is an important part of keeping your air supply clean and avoiding the discomfort and respiratory issues that can stem from a dirty, unclean HVAC system.
Easier detection of damaged components
Without routine maintenance of your HVAC system, it’s easy for broken or damaged parts to go unnoticed for months at a time.
If your system is relatively new and still under warranty, this can put you at a disadvantage, as you may miss out on the opportunity to have damaged or worn parts replaced under the HVAC system’s warranty.
Routine maintenance also lets you identify and replace worn or damaged parts before they lead to large problems — problems that can often cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair. As always, the earlier you can identify a problem, the less expensive it is to repair.
How often should you maintain your HVAC system?
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all to this question. The ideal maintenance intervals for your HVAC system depend on the type of system your business uses, as well as the level of usage.
As a general rule, the more frequently your HVAC system is used and the greater the level of usage, the shorter the intervals between regular servicing and maintenance should be.
It’s also important to prioritize maintenance if HVAC is critical for your business. Retailers and other HVAC-dependent businesses, for example, are recommended to schedule routine HVAC maintenance as frequently as required to ensure optimal performance.
For residential users, maintenance can be less frequent, although most homeowners will want to make sure their HVAC system is inspected at least once every six months (or, for high-usage homes, every three months).
Like all mechanical systems, regular maintenance is essential for keeping your HVAC system in optimal condition. As a result, it’s important to take HVAC maintenance seriously and view it as an investment in your business, rather than as a recurring cost.
