HVAC maintenance is always associated with owning an AC unit. In fact, it’s a pivotal aspect that should be on your priority list to avoid constant AC problems. And if you tend to disregard the importance of maintaining your HVAC system, then you also have to be ready to suffer the consequences of your actions, especially if you need AC repair in Phoenix where the heat can often stress your system.
What Happens When You Neglect HVAC Tune-Ups and Inspections?
Below are the risks that await your HVAC system if you continue to ignore maintaining your unit:
- Unsatisfactory HVAC system performance
One of the many risks is poor performance. These include but are not limited to inconsistent cooling, surrounding noises, and unclean air. Generally, your AC unit could not effectively and efficiently work as expected because of the issues that arise along the way.
These AC problems are significantly caused by many factors like dirty parts, damaged components, and leaky sections. All of these unfortunate circumstances could have been easily prevented if you had allocated time to regularly clean your unit and check up on all the HVAC elements.
- Dirty air circulating around your home
The air that travels through the HVAC system and across the areas of your home must be clean. This can only be done if there is consistent maintenance of key AC components, particularly air filters, blow filters, compressors, and vents, among others. Air filters are responsible for restricting harmful pollutants such as allergens, dust, and pet dander from entering the HVAC system.
Therefore, if you do not clean the air filters, there’s a high possibility of dirt accumulation in the AC parts. Consequently, unclean air is trapped in your home, leaving you and your family vulnerable. More than that, it can be very harmful to those with allergies and other respiratory illnesses.
To prevent this from happening, you have to consider cleaning air filters frequently―as much as possible every two weeks. And if there are damaged filters, make sure to replace them immediately.
- Inconvenient and expensive repairs
The more you prolong the maintenance of your HVAC system or your AC unit as a whole, the bigger possibility of costly breakdowns. Unfortunately, AC repairs can be very expensive and may even cost more if the damage is already beyond the normal repair scope. And of course, who would want to spend a lot of money on these inconveniences? Well, no one.
Lack of regular maintenance leads to frequent equipment breakdowns that can gradually build up to bigger damages. Common AC issues are faulty compressors, refrigerant leaks, frozen evaporator coils, and short cycling. All these problems can be totally stressful, especially during hot summer months.
Henceforth, you should not take AC inspections lightly. Keep an eye on minor issues and try to fix them as soon as possible.
- Higher electricity bills
Because of the absence of regular inspections that impact the power of your HVAC components, the unit works double-time to provide the necessary cool air for your home. With the higher energy used by the system, your electricity bills will also be affected.
So, if your bill is higher without significantly changing the electricity consumption in your home, the culprit could be one of your unmaintained HVAC equipment. Faulty AC units tend to use more energy to keep up with the system’s needs. And if this is not resolved immediately, you’d be stuck in paying hefty amounts for your electricity.
- Shorter lifespan of the unit
Generally, air conditioners can last between 10 to 20 years, depending on the type of system used and how you maintain your unit. And since irregular maintenance can lead to several AC issues in the long run, these can also trigger the reduction of your unit’s lifespan.
All the accumulated damages can take a serious toll on the life of an air conditioner. Moreover, this can lead to premature replacements of your key components, or worse the entire unit. Meanwhile, regularly tuned-up equipment not only works better but also lasts longer. It may even run past its expected service life. So, if you are to choose―regularly maintain your unit and extend its life or neglect all tune-ups and buy a new one?
- Increase in safety issues
Now, this might be the most unfortunate effect of ignoring HVAC maintenance. On top of everything, your safety should be your utmost concern. However, this is significantly diminished if you continuously ignore HVAC maintenance and regular inspections.
Water leaks are probably one of the most common risks resulting from clogged drain hoses or disconnected lines. Meanwhile, fire may occur due to damaged HVAC electrical connections or refrigerant leaks.
Another dangerous consequence could be refrigerant poisoning, which is also caused by a leak in the system. Anyone who accidentally inhales this liquid gas may acquire serious health damage or possibly experience a sudden sniffing death syndrome.
When to Get Help From HVAC Professionals?
HVAC professionals are the most valuable experts when it comes to AC maintenance and repairs. Though you can do simple maintenance tasks on your own, like cleaning air filters, clearing debris around the condenser, and changing blow filters, some things are best left for the AC experts.
One crucial tip is when choosing the right AC size for your home. This might appear so easy but is actually very vital for the longevity of your unit. To keep your AC running for a long time, you have to get recommendations from the experts about the size. The AC should perfectly fit your home―not too big or too small. This way, the HVAC system can work excellently and efficiently.
Other major problems that need an expert’s guidance are corroded electrical wirings, insufficient refrigerant, and short cycling. People with in-depth knowledge and experience in AC repairs should resolve these critical issues. For one, low refrigerant levels should not be done by just anyone. It should be by an HVAC professional who is certified to handle this chemical compound. And before adding refrigerant, the source of the leak must be properly identified to avoid future problems.
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