Expertise: HVAC, Plumbing

As temperatures change – even fluctuating by the day – it's important to make sure your heating and air conditioning systems are operating smoothly and functioning properly. After all, no one wants their AC to cut off on the hottest day of the year leaving them to sweat it out.

HVAC repairs can often be simple, and depending on the availability of parts, may only take one day to complete. What's more, servicing your unit routinely can save you money by reducing the chance of one lingering issue creating a domino effect and wreaking havoc on your entire system. These preemptive measures can also save your life by eliminating mold-borne illness and possible carbon monoxide leaks.

House & Home spoke with Tyler Cook, an HVAC Specialist at Four Quarters Mechanical, to find out more about the best practices when it comes to maintaining your HVAC system, and how to identify when it's time to repair vs replace.

What are some things a homeowner should consider when making the decision to repair or to replace? First of all, the biggest thing to consider is [the impact of a replacement vs. repair on] health and safety. Here are some key things to consider about both options.

Repairs are generally OK if:
● If the unit is under 10 years old (and possibly still under warranty).
● The cost of the repairs are less than $1,000.
● The unit has been maintained regularly.

Otherwise, it may be time to consider replacement if:
● The unit is 10 years or older, as the average life expectancy is 10-15 years.
● The unit is consistently breaking down and the repair costs are mounting.
● Utility bills are high due to older units that are not energy efficient.
● You are experiencing longer run times.
● There has been a flood in the home. There is no guarantee on repairs and mold can grow internally.
● You recognize hot or cold spots in the home. This could be due to a lack of properly sized equipment to effectively control your home's temperature.

What are some maintenance tips that allow homeowners to maintain a healthy HVAC system?
Schedule a maintenance check before a major HVAC season – in the fall before winter or in the spring before summer. Another healthy thing that a customer could do is just keep changing their filter. Most Americans have pets in their home. Whether you have cats, dogs, or even ferrets – anything with hair – that all clogs up the duct system. Their hair will often get sucked into the ductwork and actually clog up the filter a lot faster. Some people have to change their filter once a month, while others can get away with swapping the filter every two to three months. It really depends on the home.

What is the importance of engaging in an HVAC maintenance program?
Our maintenance program is a great thing because we can tell you if your system is nearing its end. If you call in and say, 'Listen, Tyler, I've never had an HVAC inspection done before, but my heater has been making this kind of noise. I don't know what's going on. I just want my system checked.' I come out, do an assessment and say, 'Look, the noise that you're hearing is coming from your blower motor and the bearings are starting to go. It's not failed yet [but it will go soon].' At that point, you can be proactive and fix it, or you can just let it go and wait for it to fail—but I'm going to tell you this, it's going to fail when you need it most. That's going to be during the middle of an air conditioning season when it's 90-plus degrees outside and now you have no cool air.

Four Quarters Mechanical
(833) 376-4822
FourQuartersInc.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 24, Issue 5 (April 2024)
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● You are adding upgrades to your system by way of air filtration/purification options.