9 Reasons to Have an HVAC Tune-up in the Spring and Fall

For most people, fall and spring are the best seasons for enjoying outdoor life because of the temperate weather.

While that’s perfectly fine, don’t get too carried away and forget about your annual HVAC tune-up. Winter and summer won’t be so kind to you if your HVAC system is in shambles.

The mild sunshine and cool breezes of fall and spring don’t last for long. After that, you’ll have to face the freezing winter cold or burning heat depending on the season, and that’s when you need your HVAC system the most. Your central air and heating system is the only thing that can get you through temperature extremes, so you can’t afford it breaking down in the middle of winter or worse, summer!

Admittedly, fall and spring are unusual times to think about your HVAC unit because you hardly use it. However, it presents the ideal time for a thorough HVAC tune-up to brace for the frigid winter and blistering summer heat.

It’s also somewhat unusual to think about AC repair or maintenance during spring. However, that’s the only sure way you can stop your AC from breaking down in the middle of summer.

Do you schedule your AC tune-up only when something isn’t right with your AC? If yes, then we’ve got a better idea. Here are a few reasons why you should schedule your annual HVAC tune-up in the fall and the spring.

1. To Give Your HVAC System a Jumpstart

By the time it’s transitioning to summer or winter, your HVAC has probably been off for a while.

Sometimes that is because of pests that invade. Other times it’s because an electrical part has simply worn out. Also dust and debris, especially on your heater, may have accumulated in your system from lack of use. It can even give off a pungent smell especially when you first start your electric heater at the beginning of the season.

A tune-up during the fall allows the technician to check your HVAC for any issues before winter arrives. In the spring, we primarily check your air conditioning system before the summer heat gets started. It’s the best way to jumpstart your system after a period of dormancy.

2. To Increase Its Efficiency

Many times HVAC technicians can spot problems while they are small. Sometimes it’s pretty clear a part is about to fail or there will be a problem because mice have been in the attic chewing electrical wires.

Sometimes we spot clogged filters or condensate drain lines that are in need of service. We see these a lot when we are doing AC tune-ups in the spring.

Occasionally, we spot enough dust or debris that can make it difficult for your HVAC system to circulate air. For example, we find bushes and vines growing all around an outdoor condensing unit a lot. When that happens, it’s hard for your outdoor unit to operate efficiently. This can lead to higher energy bills at the end of the month.

Over time it will cause parts to wear out more quickly or the worst case scenario is that your unit will stop working at all.

3. To Reduce the Likelihood of a Breakdown

It’s not uncommon for an AC or heater to break down when you need it most. If it does, your best option is to call a licensed HVAC technician to check it out.

If it’s a serious problem, you may have to freeze in the cold or suffer in the heat for a while before the technician takes care of the issue.

By scheduling a tune-up the fall, the technician will check your HVAC system for any potential issues before the temperatures become extreme. This decreases the likelihood of it breaking down at the wrong time (read: Friday at 5pm on a holiday weekend).

4. To Reduce Humidity and Provide Better Air Quality

If your home is not comfortable and the air feels muggy or humid, your HVAC system might be in need of a repair or a tune-up.

It could be that the filters have not been replaced and dust, pollen and mildew have accumulated through the dormancy period. This can greatly degrade your indoor air quality and your system’s ability to circulate air properly.

High humidity and excess dust in the air can also lead to unwanted smells. What’s more, poor air quality could lead to a host of respiratory complications, especially for people with allergies.

5. EPA Recommends It

No, regular HVAC maintenance is not just a sales pitch for HVAC companies.

It’s something that the EPA and its program, Energy Star, recommend for homeowners across the country to save energy and keep the indoor air quality clean. It’s the best way to ensure that your HVAC system runs smoothly, and it also increases the lifespan of your HVAC system.

6. To Prevent Costlier Problems in the Future

An HVAC tune-up helps identify problems early on before they spiral out of control. It costs significantly less to address a problem early on than waiting for it to become more serious and more expensive to fix.

During a tune-up, the technician inspects all parts of your HVAC system to make sure it’s in good working order. A simple tune-up could save you a bundle in the long run.

Plus, it’s also better to make repairs when the weather is still comfortably cool in the spring or fall. That way if you have to repair your system or even replace it, you have some time to weigh the options. It’s stressful to make those decisions in the heat of the summer or on the coldest day of the year.

7. To Extend Its Lifespan

Your HVAC can only outlive its lifespan if you take good care of it. One way to do so is by scheduling regular maintenance twice a year.

If you maintain your HVAC well, you should expect it to last you well over 10-15 years. It can also help you preserve the factory warranty on your equipment.

Besides replacing air filters and cleaning the condensing unit, you should also schedule a tune-up, preferably during spring or fall. That way, you can get the most out of your air conditioner and heater, keeping in mind that we run our air conditioners 9-10 months out of the year in the Houston, Texas area.

8. Most HVAC Companies Have Flexible Schedules During Spring and Fall

It’s safe to say that most HVAC companies aren’t as busy during spring and fall as they are during summer or winter. A lot of these companies have to answer to emergency repairs and tune-ups during winter and summer. The demand is so high that they triage their calls.

During spring and fall, however, there is more time to see to regular service, schedule replacement of HVAC systems and fix larger problems. This presents the ideal opportunity for you to have an HVAC company inspect your HVAC unit – the furnace in the fall and air conditioner in the spring.

Since the HVAC companies generally have more time during these months, they’ll ensure you get stellar service. It’s a great time to take advantage of promotions if it’s time to repair or replace your HVAC system. For the best availability and service, consider scheduling your HVAC tune-up for spring or autumn.

9. For Your Safety

Firing up your HVAC system if it hasn’t been used in a while is the perfect time to make sure everything is operating safely. When was the last time you replaced your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector? These are two pieces of safety equipment HVAC technicians highly recommend. And in fact, this is always on our list of to check when we do heating tune-ups.

Also, normal wear and tear, invasion of pests, power surges and dust build-up can adversely affect electrical components in your HVAC system.

These electrical malfunctions could lead to power outages, breakdowns, and rarely, fires in severe cases. For your personal safety, plan your annual HVAC tune-ups for the upcoming fall and spring seasons for peace of mind.

Think Fall and Spring for Your HVAC Tune-ups

Hopefully, you’re now convinced that fall and spring are the best times for your HVAC tune-up. That way, you won’t have to worry about your system breaking down right in the middle of winter or summer.

In fact, HVAC systems break down much less often if at all when regular maintenance is done on the system. But, it’s hard to remember to get it done sometimes, which is why HVAC companies like Terry’s A/C & Heating offer maintenance plans for customers who want to plan ahead and keep their HVAC investment in tip-top shape all year round.

Subscribing to a service plan gives you the ability to schedule your service months in advance when it is convenient for you. Contact Rob and Kenny at Terry’s A/C & Heating at 281-495-7830  to get on their schedule for the day’s service calls if you need an AC tune-up or a heater tune-up. For each tune-up they give, Rob and Kenny follow a multi-point HVAC inspection list. The results are given to each customer so they know how their HVAC equipment has been maintained. It is also kept on file just in case!

For professional, expedient, and comprehensive HVAC tune-ups, contact us today. Find out what customers say about our service and what makes us different in the Southwest Houston, Katy, Cinco Ranch, Sugar Land, Memorial, Weston Lakes, and Richmond, Texas areas.