HVAC Repair Costs on the Rise
Due to issues caused by the pandemic, the cost of materials are on the rise in almost all areas – manufacturing homes, vehicles, and in the HVAC world. Materials have become harder to find and the wait time for certain items has increased from a few days or weeks to multiple months. The cost of raw materials has gone up, as well as labor rates and transportation and fuel prices to move materials. As a result, over the past few months, HVAC suppliers have raised the prices on new units, parts, and materials – anywhere from 3-9%. The demand for efficient heating and cooling systems have also increased because more people are staying home and opting to work from home when possible. Due to all these factors, buying a new HVAC or having repairs done to your existing system will most likely be more expensive than you anticipated.
How can you combat the rising prices when it comes to your HVAC unit? Give your system a little more TLC. There are many things you can do on your own to help your unit function more efficiently, and an efficient unit leads to a longer lifespan and less repairs in the long run. If you have questions about your HVAC system contact us! Here are some ways you can help your heating and cooling system:
Change the filter
You should change the filter of your HVAC system about every 3 months, depending on what the filter’s label says. The filter is supposed to remove particles from the air to allow you to have cleaner air in your home or office. If a filter becomes too full of particles, it no longer filters things properly. It also causes the system to work harder, trying to push air through a clogged filter. This means the HVAC is not running efficiently and that can decrease its efficiency and put strain on the machine.
Clear out the outdoor condenser unit
The condenser unit is the big box that is usually outside your home, which blows hot air when the air conditioner is on. It moves hot air to the outside. Because it is outside, it can become clogged with debris, such as leaves and sticks. Check to make sure that nothing is blocking air flow around the condenser unit every month or so. If air is not flowing efficiently, this can lead to overwork of the system, and parts may wear out more quickly.
Check your vents
Make sure all the vents are open and clear in your home. You may think that closing a vent in a room you don’t use helps to not waste heated or cooled air. However, that’s not the case. Your HVAC system is made to heat or cool enough air for a specified amount of space. If you live in a 1,500 square foot home your HVAC is rated for that amount of space. If you close off the guest room, then your system is still producing the same amount of hot or cold air. The closed vent prevents air from flowing, and then a back up is caused. So in reality, the system must work harder to push past the air that is becoming backed up from the closed vent. A similar situation can occur if you have a vent blocked by a couch or a curtain.
These are simple checks that you can do on your own. For a more in depth analysis of your system, you should schedule an appointment with a certified HVAC specialist. We recommend that you schedule twice a year, once before turning on the air conditioning, and once before switching over to heat. By working with an HVAC specialist, they can help you by recommending changes that will help your system run more efficiently and be on the lookout for any warning signs of upcoming issues. By catching a problem early, a small repair could solve the issue, before it becomes a bigger, more expensive fix. Call Weather Crafters today to schedule your next maintenance visit!
