Q: Do I really need routine annual maintenance on my home heating system?
A: Yes, absolutely. Here are eight reasons why maintaining your HVAC system is important:
- Many heating and cooling system problems can double your cost of operation without a noticeable reduction in your comfort
- A dirty indoor evaporator coil will not only restrict airflow, the dirt on the coil also restricts heat transfer. It also causes loss of cooling capacity. The result of this lost capacity means that your unit most run longer to cool your house and can increase your operating costs by as much as 45%
- Equipment Manufacturers require annual maintenance to validate your warranty.
- Approximately 80% off all compressor failures could have been avoided with proper planned maintenance
- Reduced airflow due to plugged filters and dirty fans will reduce your heating and cooling system performance and reduce efficiency
- Carbon monoxide (CO) sends over 20,000 people to the emergency room every year in the United States and over 400 deaths are reported
- A dirty outdoor condenser coil will increase the amount of work the compressor must do. This additional work increases your electric bill due to the higher amperage draw of your compressor. This higher amp draw also reduces compressor life.
- A 10% undercharge in refrigerant can cause a 20% increase in operating costs.
Q: How often do I need my furnace tuned up?
A: Ideally, your HVAC system should be serviced twice a year. Most of our customers have a furnace and an air conditioner so in order to keep your whole HVAC system running efficiently, you’ll need a dedicated service call for each unit annually. At Arco, one service call consists of both a thorough safety inspection and a precision tune-up.
Q: What if either my furnace or air conditioner is brand new? Do I still need an Arco technician to take a look at it?
A: Yes. We compare this situation to driving a new car off the lot without having a professional check the brakes, check the oil or make sure the tires have enough air. The same goes for a brand new piece of HVAC equipment. To keep it operating at peak efficiency, you definitely want to make sure that you are maintaining it right out the box. It’s a must to promote high performance and prevent a system breakdown.