6 Ways to Save Money on Annual HVAC Maintenance

When you own a home with a central, forced-air HVAC system, maintaining that system annually is critical. Yearly a/c cleaning, furnace cleaning, and ductwork maintenance help ensure your HVAC system runs as efficiently as possible, so you don’t have to pay a fortune to heat and cool your home.

Routine maintenance is also an excellent preemptive measure that can help you avoid costly a/c repairs and furnace repairs, as well as premature unit replacement. If you like saving money, check out our top tips that can help you save some dough on your routine HVAC maintenance costs.

1. Change Your HVAC Filters Often

If you’re not great about changing your HVAC filters on a regular schedule, now is the time to start if you’re looking to save money on A/C and furnace maintenance. Filthy filters can increase the amount of dust and debris in the air handler and ductwork, and that debris accumulation can impact system performance over time.

At the very least, you should be changing your HVAC filter every 90 days. But if you have indoor pets or smoke inside your house, you’ll probably need to change it more often. If anyone in your household has allergies, changing the filter more often can also help keep irritating symptoms from flaring.

2. Address A/C and Heater Issues Promptly

When you notice your air conditioner or heater is acting up, don’t ignore it and assume the issue will correct itself. It won’t. Instead, it’ll probably get worse. If you notice any of the following problems, call an a/c repair or furnace repair specialist stat:

●        Uneven heating or cooling throughout your home

●        Unusually loud noises coming from your a/c unit or furnace

●        Sudden, dramatic increase in energy bills (this might indicate a leak in the ductwork or a serious efficiency issue in the a/c or heater unit)

●        Unusual or unpleasant odors coming out of your HVAC vents

The quicker you address any of the above issues, the quicker a pro can get your system back on track. Prompt inspection and minor a/c repairs or furnace repairs are the best way to prevent serious problems that could set you back hundreds or even thousands in major repair costs.

3. Keep Your Ductwork Clean

Dirty ductwork that’s clogged up with dust and other particulate matter can seriously impede airflow through your HVAC system, reducing its efficiency.

If you want the best performance out of your heating and cooling system (and clean air inside your home) scheduling professional duct cleaning at regular intervals is highly recommended. Not only will routine cleanings help your HVAC system perform better, but they’ll also help ensure your indoor air quality remains high.

Here’s how to determine if your home might be due for professional duct cleaning.

4. Make Sure Your Home Is Well-Insulated

When your home (or attached garage, if you have one) doesn’t have enough insulation, your a/c and heating unit must work overtime to keep your indoor temperature constant. That extra work can cause considerable wear and tear to the system components, which may result in premature breakdowns and expensive repairs.

The best way to help your heating and cooling system out is to make sure your home, garage, and attic are adequately insulated. If you own an older home, you might need to update the insulation and can find out if that’s necessary by scheduling a household energy audit.

5. Keep Your A/C and Furnace Clean

Clean air conditioners and furnaces perform more efficiently, have fewer problems, and last longer than units that sit dirty for months or even years. So if you don’t remember the last time your A/C or furnace was cleaned, it’s time to get the job done.

A dirty air conditioner can easily develop issues and experience drops in efficiency when its coils get coated in dirt and debris that prevent them from dissipating heat from the air. A filthy, clogged condensate line or pan can also prevent condensation from draining out of the A/C system as it should, resulting in water leaks and damage. 

A filthy furnace can also develop performance and efficiency problems if dust and debris on the burners prevent the flame from burning evenly, at the proper height. Not only will the furnace produce less heat but it’ll also have to work harder than necessary to produce it.

Worse, dirty burners may not be capable of burning fuel completely and can increase levels of dangerous carbon monoxide gas inside your home. 

Think your furnace could use a performance boost? Check out 7 Tips to Improve Furnace Efficiency if you want to get your unit ready to go for the winter season. 

6. Enroll in the Comfort Keeper Annual Plan

Last but certainly not least, enrolling in an annual HVAC maintenance plan is an excellent way to help cut down your routine a/c and heater care costs. At Dust Doctors, our annual plan is called Comfort Keepers, and at a mere $13 a month, it’s an incredible bargain.

We include annual a/c cleaning, furnace cleaning, system component inspections, and preventive maintenance. You’ll also get 10% off a/c and furnace repairs when you’re a plan member and enjoy priority scheduling when you need your units serviced. You can learn more about the plan and how to enroll on our Comfort Keepers page.

Need Furnace or A/C Cleaning in the Twin Cities? Contact Dust Doctors

When it comes time for annual furnace cleaning and a/c cleaning, look no further than our team at Dust Doctors. For the last decade, we’ve been dedicated to helping Twin Cities homeowners improve their indoor air quality through comprehensive duct cleaning, a/c maintenance, and furnace maintenance. Our Comfort Keeper annual plan can help you save on your annual system cleaning costs or, if you’re just looking for a one-time appointment, we can do that too!

To get started, give us a call at 651-319-9777, request a free quote, or send us a message with your information, and we’ll get in touch.