How to Prevent HVAC Emergencies
An efficient HVAC system is essential to any home. That’s why Entek understands what a hassle HVAC emergencies can be. Not only can they compromise the comfort and health of your family, they can also be quite costly. That’s why it’s important to take proper steps to avoid them.
Here are our top ways to prevent HVAC emergencies, enabling you to save both time and money.
1. Timely Upgrades
The first step to avoiding HVAC problems is to know when it’s time for an upgrade. Older equipment will not operate at maximum efficiency, and wear and tear could cause your HVAC system to stop operating altogether. To ensure you’re saving money and maximizing your home comfort levels, it’s important to know when to upgrade to a newer system.
Generally speaking, if your equipment is more than ten years old, you should have it evaluated by a professional HVAC technician. Entek HVAC specialists are able to provide home performance energy tests that will assess how well your current system is performing. Our specialists will make recommendations that will improve your indoor air quality and comfort, while also increasing your system’s efficiency and keeping more money in your wallet.
For instance, Entek can provide duct cleaning and duct sealing services. Clogged or leaky ducts are frequently the real source of your problems. Instead of replacing your system altogether, you may simply need to seal up those leaks in your home where energy is escaping.
In fact, as much as 45% of your monthly energy bill could be going toward energy that’s lost through leaks in ductwork. Leaky ducts can also compromise your home’s indoor air quality. Entek offers “Clean and Seal” services that will improve your system’s efficiency, while also helping you avoid HVAC emergencies.
In the event that you do need to upgrade your system, you should invest in one with the Energy Star label. According to the Department of Energy, upgrading to Energy Star equipment can cut your annual energy bill by up to $115. For more information on when it’s time to upgrade your existing equipment, check here.
2. Proper Installation
If you do decide it’s time for an upgrade, you should make sure that you hire a qualified HVAC technician to install your equipment. After all, you won’t be able to take advantage of the cost-savings of an energy efficient system unless it’s properly installed.
The Department of Energy estimates that an improperly installed system can actually reduce the efficiency of your HVAC equipment by up to 30 percent. And the problem may be more of an issue than you realize. The Department of Energy estimates that almost half of all HVAC systems are improperly installed.
That’s why it’s incredibly important to hire a trusted HVAC contractor to perform the installation of your new equipment. In addition to maximizing the amount of money you’ll save on your energy bill, proper installation will increase your equipment’s lifespan, meaning you’ll have to replace it less often. For more information on the benefits of proper installation, look here.
3. Regular Maintenance
Of course, the best way to keep your equipment functioning properly is to schedule regular maintenance check-ups. Taking preventative steps will extend the life of your equipment while also saving you the expense of costly repairs. It’s important, therefore, that a qualified HVAC technician inspects your equipment on an annual basis.
It’s ideal to have bi-annual maintenance performed prior to peak heating and cooling seasons. You should have your cooling system checked in the spring. It’s also a good idea to have your heating equipment inspected in the fall, prior to the chilly winter months.
Fine-tuning your equipment with regular maintenance check-ups will help you avoid many emergency repairs. In fact, a well-maintained heat pump or furnace will operate up to 25% more efficiently than a severely neglected one.
We know you’re busy so Entek makes scheduling maintenance appointments simple and easy. With our planned maintenance programs, you’ll receive several benefits and discounts. Our service department will do all the work for you as well. We’ll keep track of your maintenance, equipment, and warranty information. We’ll also remind you when it’s time for your yearly maintenance.
4. Proper Upkeep
In addition to regular maintenance appointments, there are a number of things you can do yourself to ensure that your HVAC equipment continues to run smoothly. For example, you should inspect, clean, and change the air filters in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump each month.
If you’re unsure how to do so, your Entek HVAC technician will demonstrate for you. Keeping your air filter clean will help your equipment run smoothly and efficiently, thereby helping you to avoid costly emergency repairs.
There are also other simple measures that you can take to make sure your system isn’t working harder than necessary. For instance, installing a programmable thermostat can help you save, on average, $180 in annual energy costs.
Programmable thermostats allow you to use adjustable settings so that you don’t waste energy when you’re away from home. Instead of running your HVAC equipment all day, you can extend the lifespan of your equipment by letting it rest when you’re away and using the pre-programmed settings to turn it on just before you’re scheduled to return home.
Your HVAC system is integral to your home’s overall comfort and indoor air quality. It’s important to verify it’s properly installed, maintain it with regular upkeep, and contract a professional to perform annual maintenance to avoid costly emergency repairs.
The last thing you want is your HVAC system to stop working in the mid-summer heat. By taking these steps, you can avoid those emergency situations and be confident that your home’s indoor air quality and comfort levels will remain optimal all year long.