If you’re in Texas, get ready to feel the “brr” as experts project the state to have a colder-than-normal winter. They’re even forecasting the Lone Star State to have a storm sometime in mid-January 2024!

Investing in an AC and heating tune-up service is one way to prepare for that unseasonably cold winter. Ideally, you should schedule one in spring and another in fall, but it’s not too late if you haven’t had the chance to. However, you should have a professional complete it earlier in winter.

We’ll tell you why you need heating and cooling maintenance and how it can benefit you, so please read on.

Ensure Adequate Heating and Cooling

Before your HVAC system heats or cools the air inside your home, it pushes the air through a filter. The latter traps common indoor air pollutants before they can dirty up your system’s interior components. Such contaminants include dust, debris, mold, dust mites, dander, and other tiny particles.

Because of its crucial job, the filter is bound to get dirty and clogged over time. How long before this happens depends on factors like where you live and if you have pets. For example, if you live in Houston, it may take only a month for your HVAC filters to get all clogged up, as it’s among the most polluted cities in the U.S.

Failure to change or wash HVAC filters can lead to impaired system performance. One reason is that clogs restrict airflow into the system, resulting in less air getting cooled or heated. This forces the HVAC to work harder to try and reach your desired temperature.

Another reason is that filthy filters allow contaminants to bypass and settle on your system’s interior components. This dirt and residue build-up can interfere with your system’s heating and cooling abilities.

All that can lead to your HVAC system being unable to adequately warm or cool your home. Preventive maintenance, which includes thoroughly cleaning the system, can help keep such problems at bay.

Prevent or Fix Problems Before They Worsen

Every year, HVAC repairs and services cost Americans about $14 billion. Many of these costly repairs arise from a lack of proper system maintenance.

Let’s use dirty filters as an example, which, as mentioned above, makes HVAC systems work harder. It causes unnecessary, additional strain on the system’s components, making them wear and tear faster. This can result in them completely breaking down sooner than expected.

Such breakdowns can happen at any time, such as in the middle of the night, when you need heating the most. Your AC could also malfunction on a hotter-than-normal fall or winter day.

That could force you to call emergency AC or furnace repair services. You’d then have to sit in discomfort in the heat or cold while waiting for the HVAC professional.

Prevent those problems by investing in regular AC and heating tune-up schedules.

During one, an HVAC professional will thoroughly inspect and clean your system. The pro will also lubricate its parts, check and tighten connections, calibrate your thermostat, and test your system’s performance. They’ll also look for potential problems and inform you immediately if they find any.

With your permission, the technician can then proceed to resolve the issue. In doing so, they can help you avert more severe problems that can lead to your system breaking down when you need it the most.

Keep Your HVAC System Efficient

The experts at Energy Star (the U.S. EPA and DOE) recommend hiring a professional HVAC maintenance contractor. According to them, it’s one of the ways to keep your system’s smooth and efficient operation.

An energy-efficient system uses less energy to heat or cool indoor spaces adequately. This translates to a comfortable home, lower energy bills, and reduced carbon footprint. So, not only can it help you save money, but it can also help you become more eco-friendly.

Maintain Optimal Indoor Air Quality

Your HVAC system helps maintain optimal indoor air quality by providing mechanical ventilation. Its filter also plays a vital role here, considering it traps air pollutants.

So, when your HVAC filter becomes too dirty, it’ll no longer be able to help clean the air. The contaminants that bypass it can also mix with the air you breathe inside your home. Moreover, it may reintroduce the particles it previously caught to your indoor air.

That’s why HVAC maintenance and IAQ go hand in hand. Regular AC and heating tune-up services can help keep your HVAC system and indoor air clean.

Make Your HVAC System Last

Early wear and tear on HVAC components can decrease your system’s overall lifespan. So, if your system can supposedly last 15 years, it can fail at age 10 or even earlier.

An example of when that can happen is when an HVAC system’s blower becomes so laden with dirt that it runs slower. This can cause the blower motor and air compressor to overheat and, ultimately, fail. These two are among the most expensive parts of an HVAC system, so when they break down, expect a hefty repair bill.

To keep those problems at bay, hire a professional to tune up your AC and heater in the spring and fall. If you missed either, it’s okay, but it’s best to schedule one earlier in summer or winter.

Contractors get busier during mid-summer and winter, so if you wait until then, they may be unable to visit your home for a same- or next-day service.

Book Your AC and Heating Tune-up Schedule Today

Regular AC and heating tune-up services help keep your home comfortable year-round. They can also prevent severe HVAC and IAQ problems and boost your system’s energy efficiency.

So, if you haven’t had your HVAC tuned up yet, now is the best time to schedule one before it gets colder in Houston.

The expert technicians at P & M Air Conditioning and Heating are ready to help. You can rely on our over 65 years of experience.

So, call or text us today. We’ll get your HVAC system ready for winter and summer!