Most HVAC systems that fail prematurely do so because of deferred maintenance. A furnace or air conditioner that is cleaned, inspected, and tuned annually will typically outlast a neglected system by years — and will cost significantly less to operate in the meantime.

What a maintenance visit includes

A professional HVAC maintenance visit covers the items a homeowner cannot safely check: heat exchanger inspection, burner cleaning and combustion analysis, gas pressure verification, ignition system testing, safety control checks, blower motor and belt inspection, refrigerant level check on cooling systems, and coil cleaning. The technician will also replace the air filter and check thermostat calibration.

The benefits of regular maintenance

Systems that receive annual maintenance run more efficiently, which means lower energy bills. They are less likely to fail unexpectedly, which means fewer emergency service calls. Problems found during a maintenance visit — a worn capacitor, a cracked heat exchanger, a refrigerant leak — are typically less expensive to address than the same problems found during a breakdown. And manufacturers often require documented maintenance to honor warranty claims.

How often should HVAC systems be serviced?

The standard recommendation is once per year for a heating-only system, and twice per year for a combined heating and cooling system — once in fall before heating season and once in spring before cooling season. Heat pumps, which run year-round, benefit from twice-yearly service. Commercial systems with higher run hours may need more frequent attention.

Heirloom Mechanical offers maintenance service for residential and commercial HVAC systems throughout the Pittsburgh area. Call 412-889-6800 to schedule a tune-up or ask about a maintenance agreement.