Heating And AC Repair: Do I Really Need To Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up This Year? | Dallas, TX

Photo By Pra-chid at istock

This time of year you start to see a lot of signs and advertisements about HVAC system tune-ups. You might even be mulling around the idea of an HVAC servicing or calling for heating and AC repair in Dallas, TX if you think there is a bigger issue. Right now is a good time to consider a tune-up or a repair if it is on your radar given the weather is a nice medium. It’s not too cool that you will freeze if your HVAC system isn’t on for a few hours, and your family will not bake alive under the hot Dallas, TX sun yet.

Still, trying to figure out if you should call for a service yet? You can start by answering these questions. Do you own an HVAC system? Do you want to keep the warranty good? Do you want to avoid unnecessary heating and AC repair? Do you want to avoid a breakdown in the middle of summer? Do you like to save money? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you are a great candidate for HVAC system servicing. The simple truth is there is no better way to protect your investment.

Most people dread the idea of replacing or upgrading their HVAC system, so save yourself another few years by properly maintaining the system you have. An HVAC system that is regularly serviced and tuned-up will last longer on average than one that is not. Therefore, if you want to lengthen the lifespan of your system the number one thing to do is keep up with the proper heating and AC repair schedule and make an appointment for a yearly tune-up. Still not sure what to expect? Here is a quick look at what is included in a routine HVAC tune-up service and just a few more reasons why you should consider booking one.

When Is the Best Time of Year for an HVAC Tune-Up?

While there really is no wrong time of year for an HVAC tune-up, a lot of our clients choose to schedule their tune-ups or heating and AC repair for the spring and fall months when possible. The weather in Dallas, TX tends to be mild during these seasons so if your tune-up reveals that you need a repair it is a good time of year to be without your system for a few days. In addition, HVAC companies tend to be slower during the spring and fall months so it is easier to find an opening for a tune-up.

Of course, like anything else, scheduling in advance is the best way to make sure that you get your HVAC tune-up when you want it. Since it isn’t considered an emergency it is unlikely you can have someone out to your home in just a few days, but if you schedule your tune-up in advance you don’t have to worry about it. A lot of companies will even contact you when it’s been a year so you don’t have to worry about accidentally skipping a year. After all, owning a home is hard enough without worrying about when it is time for heating and AC repair.

How Long Does HVAC Servicing Take?

The number one thing that most people want to know about HVAC servicing is how long will it take. We get that, everyone has a lot of things going on, but an HVAC service doesn’t have to get in the way of your life. In general, it only takes two to four hours depending on the size of your home and can schedule it to take place at a time and date that is convenient for you. Someone will need to be home in order to open up your home, but after that, you can continue on with your day.

There are a few things you can also do to speed up the amount of time the HVAC cleaning process takes such as removing all debris from around your outdoor unit like kids bicycles and moving cars so that the HVAC team has a clear passageway to it. You will also want to clean the area around your HVAC system inside of your Dallas, TX home so that the heating and AC repair team can easily get to the system for cleaning.

In general, we recommend cleaning a four-foot pathway from outside of the home all the way through your home and to the HVAC system. That gives our crew plenty of room to work and to get through your home with the proper equipment. You also will want to lock up any pets for everyone’s safety and to make sure that they don’t escape while our techs are entering and leaving the home.

What Is Included During an HVAC Tune-UP

Now that you are ready for your HVAC tune-up, you may be curious as to what the service will actually include. While there may be slight variations depending on what company you choose to use for your heating and AC repair tune-up, for the most part, a standard visit will have three parts. These three components include inspection, cleaning, and service. Before beginning their work the techs will appraise your system to see if anything needs to be replaced before they start cleaning. Afterward, they will give you a list of recommended heating and air repair tasks based on what they found and if there is time may offer to complete a few of them. Depending on what they find and the extent of the heating and AC repair, they may schedule a new appointment.

Now to break it down a little further we will take a closer look at each layer of a standard HVAC heating and AC repair tune-up visit. To start, the HVAC tech will take a look at the indoor and outdoor units that comprise your HVAC system. Some people choose to have both their AC and furnace service at the same time of year while others choose to service both before their respective season.

If you are worried about the length of the visit then scheduling one tune-up before winter and once before summer might work well for you, but if you are more concerned that you will forget or not get to it, then it may be a better idea to schedule a complete HVAC heating and AC repair visit. At any rate, the tech will examine one or both components of your HVAC system to look for signs of wear and tear and anything that might need to be replaced. It is always better to remove and repair pieces that are worn down before they break down and leave you stranded in the hot summer or cold winter.

While inspecting the AC the tech will look at the levels of refrigerant, check out the drain pan to make sure that it is not collecting too much liquid, and thoroughly look at the condenser coils. He will then turn to the furnace and look closely at the motor and the compressor to ensure that all mechanical components are in great shape without signs of rust or damage.

After this is done, the HVAC tech will shift his or her focus to the cleaning aspect of the visit. They will clean every single inch of your heating and AC system which helps to remove the dirt in the system so that it doesn’t circulate in your air while also improving the energy efficiency of your HVAC system. Dirt, debris, and grime can slow down the way an HVAC system functions, and cause it to consume a lot more energy. This is one reason why regular HVAC tune-ups can help reduce your energy bills. In addition, it will improve the air quality in your home which just about everyone can agree is a bonus.

Finally, as the last step of the tune-up, the technician will look at his or her notes and start heating or AC repair for everything that he found damaged or worn down. The tech will try to do everything that they can while still at your house, but there are some things that may require a second visit. While most HVAC companies keep common pieces on hand, there are hundreds of HVAC systems out there so it is possible that we will have to order components before replacing them.

This is just one more reason why it is wise to have a tune-up before the actual season commences because you can easily wait for a few days for a piece when you proactively change it, but during the heat of the summer when the air is thick in Dallas, TX you don’t want to wait four days. It is common for refrigerant levels to be low due to unseen leaks or for fan blades of capacitors to be replaced. These are small heating and AC repairs that don’t cost much that can help you prevent major costly heating and AC repairs down the road. It is always in your best interests to heed the advice of the HVAC tech during the tune-up.

Benefits of Regular HVAC Maintenance

Now that you know what to expect during an HVAC tune-up, here are a few things that you should expect after the tune-up including a lowered chance of needing heating and AC repair in the future. The benefits far outweigh the minimal costs of a tune-up, and it is likely that you will save so much as a result that the cost isn’t even negligible.

Less HVAC System Breakdowns

One of the most powerful reasons to consider an HVAC tune-up is the simple fact that they are the best way to avoid breakdowns. No one wants to wake up or come home to their Dallas, TX home and discover that the heat or AC is broken. During some months this may even make your home inhospitable. YOu don’t want to be forced into a hotel just because you can’t get your HVAC system repaired right away. Something as simple as needing to order a replacement part can put off heating and AC repair by three to four days. Avoid finding yourself in this type of predicament by simply booking your tune-up visit.

Lowered Overall Costs

You can also lower your everyday costs by booking a tune-up and making any necessary heating and AC repairs. A system that is cycling frequently or clogged with dirt will work much less efficiently than a model that is not. If you enjoy paying more on a monthly basis then you can skip your tune-up, but for everyone who likes to lower their monthly budget, a tune-up is the best way to do so.

Longer Lifespan

If you thought that unexpected heating and AC repair was bad, try unexpected heating and AC replacement. No one wants to replace their HVAC unit sooner than they have to. The best way to lengthen the lifespan of your unit is by tuning it up and making heating and AC repairs as soon as possible. Stretching out the lifespan of your unit by five years could save you the price of a new one over enough time.

Increased Air Quality

As mentioned earlier, part of a tune-up is extensive cleaning which by default then helps keep your air clean and crisp. This is even more important if you have someone in your home that suffers from allergies or breathing issues in your home. One simple tune-up is a great way to improve the air that everyone in your home breathes.

Get to Know Your Local Heating and AC Repair Team

Ready to get that tune-up on the books? One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas, TX is ready to help you with a tune-up service or heating and AC repair. Give us a call today and get to know our friendly and highly experienced technicians.