5 Reasons You Need an HVAC Maintenance Plan

Ac Open 600x400

5 Reasons You Need an HVAC Maintenance Plan

The HVAC system in your home is a huge investment. That’s why it’s important to make sure that it’s always in good working order. Having an HVAC maintenance plan is a great way to keep your system running at peak performance and avoid costly repairs down the road. Here are 5 reasons you need to consider getting an HVAC maintenance plan:

Early Problem Detection

When it comes to HVAC systems, early problem detection is crucial. It means catching potential issues before they become a major repair bill or cause your family serious health risks. It also means avoiding problems that could lead to expensive replacements or repairs down the road, like carbon monoxide leaks. The good news is that smart analytics can be used to detect faults and problems in their earliest stages. This enables technicians to prevent breakdowns and reduce energy usage by 5-15%. This is a great advantage to anyone who wants their home or office to operate at peak efficiency and minimize their monthly utility bills. Especially if you have a young family or live in a climate where weather can be unpredictable, having an HVAC maintenance plan is essential to ensuring your system runs at its best.

Improved Energy Efficiency

When it comes to heating and cooling your home, it’s important that you have a system that can operate at peak efficiency. This can reduce your energy bills and keep you comfortable year-round. HVAC systems often require periodic inspections and maintenance to keep them running at optimal performance. Performing these tasks on a regular basis can help you save money on your energy bills and increase the lifespan of your HVAC system. When it comes to the air conditioning portion of your HVAC system, one of the most important steps is cleaning the coils. This ensures that the coils are free of dust and other debris that can reduce airflow and affect your system’s effectiveness.

Priority Service

When you sign up for a maintenance plan, you get priority service when it comes to HVAC issues. This is a big deal when you need air conditioning or heating urgently and want to avoid waiting in line for an appointment. A maintenance plan can also save you money in other ways. For example, many plans offer discounts on diagnostics and repairs that you might not otherwise get. In addition, most plans offer perks for joining the maintenance program, such as discounted rates for diagnostics and emergency services on weekends and holidays. This is especially important if you have young children or elderly family members who are prone to heat exhaustion in extreme temperatures.

Discounts On Repairs

When an HVAC maintenance plan is in place, you can get discounts on repairs that you might otherwise have to pay a lot for. Typically, these savings will come in the form of parts and labor discounts. These can add up to a substantial amount over time. Especially when you consider that most manufacturers require proof of annual maintenance before issuing an equipment warranty. Getting an HVAC service contract is one of the best ways to make sure your system stays in optimal condition and runs at peak efficiency for as long as possible. In addition, it can help you save money on energy bills year-round.

Maintain Equipment Warranty

Keeping up with annual maintenance of your equipment can help you avoid having to void your warranty in the future. Often, manufacturers will ask for documentation that your HVAC system has had routine maintenance performed, and neglecting this maintenance can have serious consequences. In many cases, your HVAC warranty can be void if you skip regular maintenance or use off-brand parts on your HVAC unit. For example, if you buy parts from an un-reputable company and install them on your unit, the manufacturer will not be able to guarantee that their product is working properly.

What Is Considered an HVAC Emergency?

Many HVAC companies offer 24-hour emergency repair services for all models of HVAC systems. However, it’s important to note that not every HVAC problem should be considered an emergency.

Because it’s not always easy to distinguish between an emergency and a problem that can wait a few days to resolve, we put together this post with a few examples of actual HVAC emergencies.

Complete AC failure

While ceiling fans can help, a working air conditioner is a must-have to combat sweltering summers. Inside temperatures can even reach dangerous levels when the AC goes out in the middle of summer, especially for older folks, young children and pets. If your AC doesn’t turn on, be sure to call an emergency HVAC service right away.

No heat

When the heat stops working in the middle of the winter, it’s another time you’ll need to hire a professional to make an emergency call. Not having a working heater in the winter can also be dangerous for people and animals inside the house. While waiting for the HVAC repairman, bundle up with blankets, and utilize your fireplace if you have one.

Safety concerns

Gas or refrigerant leaks, sparks and smoke are a few signs that something is seriously wrong with your HVAC system, and the problem needs to be addressed right away. After calling HVAC companies to make an emergency repair, leave your house ASAP, and don’t return until the issue has been resolved. Hanging around waiting for the technician can be a serious health risk.

What are some signs of a failing system?

The good news is that HVAC systems typically don’t up and quit working out of nowhere—they often present a few signs that something’s amiss. These are a few indications that your system needs help:

Call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling in any situation

Whether you’re experiencing an HVAC emergency or you just need a seasonal tune-up, be sure to call our team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. With a wide range of services and fair pricing, we’re one of the top HVAC companies in St. Louis.

The Most Common HVAC Emergencies

At Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, we get calls all year long for HVAC emergency service in St. Louis, MO. Fortunately, a lot of these calls are similar, so we’re able to address the issue in no time at all.

Here are a few of the most common issues we deal with when it comes to heating systems and air conditioners.

Furnace emergencies

With colder temperatures on their way, now is the time to start thinking about ways your furnace could malfunction in the winter months. Common furnace emergencies include:

Air conditioner emergencies

A mid-summer AC breakdown could mean living in extreme discomfort until the problem is fixed. Here are a few of the top reasons we get calls in the warmer months:

Your trusted source for 24-hour emergency service

Whether your furnace has problems in the winter or your AC breaks down in the summer, call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling any time of day or night. Our low prices and around-the-clock HVAC emergency service in St. Louis, MO, make us the number-one team in town for all of your heating and cooling needs.

How to Avoid HVAC Breakdowns

Heater breakdowns in the winter and air conditioning malfunctions in the summer aren’t just inconveniences; they can be dangerous in some situations. The good news is that most of the common HVAC breakdowns we see are preventable!

If you’ve ever wondered, “How can I avoid HVAC breakdowns in St. Louis, MO?” here are some tips.

Schedule a seasonal tune-up

The best way to prevent a breakdown is to call an HVAC professional to service your system. Scheduling professional furnace maintenance each fall and AC tune-ups each spring are proven to reduce breakdowns.

During this service, your technician will inspect and clean your unit. If anything appears to be wrong, they’ll replace the failing component before you experience a sudden mid-season breakdown.

Change the filter

When homeowners call and ask us, “Why does my heater keep breaking down in St. Louis, MO?” it’s usually due to neglect. We don’t expect you to tune-up your system yourself. However, homeowners should at least replace their air filters once a month.

When air filters get clogged with dirt and debris, the whole unit can start to break down. Swapping out your filter regularly reduces the chance of unit failure and helps improve energy efficiency.

Open the vents

Closing vents when you’re not in a room might seem like a good way to save money during the winter. Unfortunately, closing those vents is generally a bad idea.

When vents are closed, the air intended to heat that room builds up in the ducts. That excess air puts undue pressure on both the ducts and vital components of your furnace. Ensure all of your vents are open and aren’t blocked by any furniture for optimal airflow.

Dust and vacuum

Another answer to that common question, “Why does my heater keep breaking down in St. Louis, MO?” is that your home isn’t very clean. When excess dust collects around air vents, it makes the vent ineffective—the vent might as well be closed!

To ensure that’s not a problem, make a habit of dusting and vacuuming to eliminate all of that dirt and debris and prevent excessive buildup.

Call when you suspect problems

HVAC systems rarely stop working out of the blue. They’ll often present a few signs that they’re going out before they finally kick the bucket. Loud noises, strange smells and higher energy bills are a few of the leading indications that something’s wrong. Pay attention to how your furnace is acting and call a professional as soon as you think something’s not right.

Replace old and inefficient units

It’s a fact that HVAC units are more prone to breakdowns as they age. If your system seems to fail each season, it’s probably time to cut your losses and replace it.

Although installing a new heater or air conditioner can be expensive, it usually pays for itself in just a few years! Newer units are more energy efficient, so you can slash your monthly heating and cooling costs and enjoy fewer breakdown bills.

Call us for HVAC service and repair

From replacing old units to performing seasonal maintenance, Ashley Brothers Heating and Cooling is the go-to company for all of your heating services. If you have more questions like “How can I avoid HVAC breakdowns in St. Louis, MO?” call us today to learn more or to schedule your yearly tune-up.

How Do I Know if My HVAC System Needs Emergency Repairs?

HVAC problems and mechanical complications are always inconvenient and frustrating to deal with, but there are some issues that are more urgent than others. Some HVAC problems can be addressed with a scheduled service appointment for maintenance or repairs a few days or weeks down the road, but other issues should be handled immediately with emergency HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO. If you’re not sure whether you need emergency repairs or not, keep reading for some tips to help you make the right decision based on your needs.

Signs you need emergency service

An HVAC system is designed to deliver consistent, reliable performance for many years, but all systems will eventually develop some performance issues that require maintenance and repairs to address. Some simple services, like filter changes or minor part replacement, can be scheduled in the future, while other services must be handled immediately to ensure the continued safety and performance of an HVAC system. Here are several signs to look for to determine whether you need emergency HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO:

HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO

Whether you want to schedule a routine maintenance appointment with our team or you need emergency HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO, reach out to Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling for assistance. We’ve been providing comprehensive HVAC maintenance, repair and installation services for home and business owners throughout the area for over 20 years and we continue to develop a reputation for the quality of our services and customer satisfaction. Give us a call to schedule an appointment today and find out more about everything we have to offer.