Frequently Asked Questions About Your Home's HVAC System

You're not expected to become an expert in the field of HVAC systems, but you should have a better understanding of some of the basics. This will help you prevent not taking care of your system in the manner that you should.

How frequently should my HVAC be serviced?

It is a good idea to have your heating and cooling system maintained twice a year; once for the air conditioning and once for the heating. This enables a professional to make adjustments, change filters, check coils and other services that help keep your system fully functional.

My HVAC is newer, do I still need maintenance?

Many homeowners make the mistake of assuming they don't need regular service for newer systems. However, if you would like to keep the warranty coverage you have for your heating and cooling, you need to keep current with the required maintenance schedule. Fail to adhere and you are going to void the coverage.

How can I make my HVAC more efficient?

Aside from staying proactive about scheduled maintenance, make it a point to change the filters monthly. Get repairs as soon as you suspect you need them. Also, if you are making a drastic change in the temperature setting, do so gradually.

Do I need replacement or just repairs?

The professional you work with should give you honest feedback about which one would be best. However, one way to determine this would be the age – how close is our system to the end of the expected life cycle? Also, if the repair costs are 50% or more than the current value of your system, replacement may make more sense.

How often should the filter be replaced?

To be safe, and to stay in the habit, it is a good general rule to change the filter every month. This is especially important during times of peak use. Some homeowners will simply clean their filter before changing it the next month but this should only be during times when your heating or cooling are not being used that much.