Some heating and air conditioner issues can be addressed or troubleshooted by homeowners. But when the problem is larger, it’s important to call in an HVAC expert in Virginia, Maryland or D.C. Regular maintenance on your equipment is key to extending its longevity, keeping it running efficiently and keeping your home comfortable.
There are steps you can take as a homeowner to prepare for HVAC service in your home. Taking these steps can help minimize surprises or potential delays in getting your equipment serviced.
Prepare for an HVAC service call
Before scheduling your appointment:
- Perform all basic troubleshooting tactics if your equipment isn’t working (The John C. Flood blog has multiple DIY resources.)
- Check your air filter. A dirty HVAC air filter is a common cause of many problems.
- If you rent your home, make sure you have your landlord’s permission to have your system serviced
Details about your equipment:
- Write down the model numbers of the equipment being serviced. This can help if your equipment needs new parts
- Make available all information on prior services performed on your system
- If your heat pump or air conditioner is frozen, shut it off before the technician arrives so it’s thawed and ready for service
Before the technician arrives:
- Make sure the system is easily accessible (especially if it’s in an attic or crawl space)
- Make sure there’s an adult (18 or over) home to legally allow entry into your home
- Lock pets in a separate room
- Many technicians will call to confirm the appointment on their way, so be prepared to answer the phone
Once the technician arrives:
- Know how long ago your problem began
- Be ready to clearly explain what symptoms or HVAC problems you’ve had
- Be prepared to make a payment
You can easily print our HVAC Pre-Service Checklist PDF!
Why is HVAC maintenance important?
It’s obvious that we need commercial HVAC companies to fix HVAC equipment when it’s malfunctioning or faulty, but what about if it’s not obviously damaged? If you subscribe to the idea, “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” we encourage you to keep reading.
- Regular maintenance decreases risk and saves you money. Problems with HVAC equipment are often growing over time, rather than a punctuated event that causes a breakdown. Because this is a reality, it’s less expensive to perform regular maintenance to prevent costly repairs or fixes down the road.
- Your equipment will run more efficiently. This is also a money saving angle. If your equipment has to work harder to heat or cool your home, it’s using more energy and increasing your bill. Regular maintenance can keep your equipment running at peak performance.
- Scheduling it before you need it. It’s crucial to schedule your heater tune-up before the temperatures get really low, and vice versa for your air conditioner. You’d rather have your equipment checked, cleaned and tuned-up before you even turn it on.
- You don’t want your equipment pushing out dirty air. We’re lucky enough to have distinct seasons, so our units trade time for the spotlight. You wouldn’t want your AC to kick on after months in hibernation and pump out dirty, stale air would you?
As the seasons change, so do the common HVAC issues. Scheduling regular maintenance every few months with a trusted HVAC professional can keep your equipment in tip-top shape and ready to face every changing season.
Schedule a maintenance appointment today.
To schedule your seasonal HVAC maintenance visit, call the Virginia HVAC professionals at John C. Flood at 703-214-5611!
