Whether it’s winter, spring, summer, or fall, homeowners usually need to engage in some type of maintenance and repairs. Their list of things to do may range from fixing a few leaky faucets to having their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit replaced. When repairs and maintenance are taken care of on a regular basis, it can make a difference in a household’s smooth functioning and comfort level.
When simple water leaks are taken care of, for example, this can save homeowners money on their water bills. In general, this will be around ten percent, which can definitely add up over the course of a year. About ten percent of homes throughout the area have leaks that cause them to waste quite a bit of water. This can usually add up to about 90 gallons a day. Needless to say, this water could definitely be put to better use for showers and running the washing machine.
During the winter months, people definitely want their homes to be warm and cozy. This is particularly the case in areas that experience heavy storms and snow. When furnaces aren’t inspected and maintained on a regular basis, it’s not unusual for them to quit working unexpectedly. This can also occur when they outlive their lifespan, which is usually about 20 years. When furnaces are approaching this age, it’s more than likely time for a new one.
In addition to having furnaces, many homes may have central heating and air conditioning or HVAC units. These systems also need to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. A large percentage of the calls HVAC repair services receive during the winter for households without heat is due to a lack of maintenance. Some HVAC repair services have reported that this was the case with 75% of the calls they received during winter months.
In some instances, HVAC systems haven’t been improperly installed, which can cause them not to function as well as they were designed to do. Improperly installed systems can actually reduce a home’s heating and cooling efficiency by 30%. Not only will it cost more for less heat and/or cool air, there’s also a good chance that home temperatures won’ be at the desired level, either.
It’s important to remember that HVAC system filters need to be changed on a regular basis. Otherwise, these filters can become clogged with dust and other particles. Energystar.gov states that most of these systems need their filters changed every one to three months. This also applies to high-efficiency units.
Households with air conditioners that are about ten years old may be interested in investing in one of these new, more efficient models. These have been shown to save about 20% on overall energy costs. Furthermore, when homeowners also take other measures, such as having their attics well-insulated, the cool air will remain indoors rather than dissipating through the roof or other drafty areas.
Homes that have duct heating and cooling systems may occasionally notice that the ducts are leaking. This has the capacity to drain 20% to 40% of the energy from an air conditioner that operates well. When these systems are ten years or so old, an HVAC service may recommend replacing them with a newer, more energy-efficient system. These systems have been shown to help homeowners save roughly 20% on their monthly energy costs. High-efficiency HVAC systems still require maintenance inspections, of course. These should be conducted two times a year unless otherwise recommended by an HVAC expert.
When you contact an HVAC and plumbing service to take care of your home maintenance inspection and repair needs, you can cross these items off of your to-do list. When an HVAC and plumbing service conducts inspections and takes care of any necessary repairs or maintenance, you can find out more about other ways to increase your home’s efficiency. Furthermore, when a plumbing service conducts a thorough inspection of your home, they may just discover an issue of which you weren’t aware. This is yet another reason why it’s so important to schedule regular maintenance inspections with an HVAC and plumbing service.