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There’s nothing worse than having to spend a fortune fixing an expensive problem in your home, but that’s also part of being a homeowner. Another important part of owning a home is doing your best to prevent these problems from happening with a little maintenance. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t know what they need to do to save on heating and air conditioning repair costs. If you want to keep the HVAC system in your Chattanooga, TN, home in pristine condition for years to come, here’s what you need to be doing now to prevent problems in the future.

Seasonal Maintenance

When it comes to making sure you aren’t spending a fortune on repairs, maintenance is the best thing you can do. As a matter of fact, you should have your HVAC system cleaned up and maintained on a regular basis if you want to prevent problems. This is why seasonal maintenance is such a crucial part of taking care of your heating and cooling systems.

According to most HVAC professionals, you should have seasonal maintenance done twice a year to prevent problems. This seasonal maintenance goes beyond simply cleaning things up a bit; essential parts are replaced and your HVAC system is inspected for any problems that might be lurking.

If you’re wondering when you should hire a heating and air conditioning repair company for seasonal maintenance, the answer is spring and fall. These are the two seasons during which you need your heating and cooling systems least, so it’s a perfect time to do a little bit of maintenance. In addition to that, the months following both spring and fall are high-demand heating and cooling seasons, so you need to make sure your HVAC system is up to the task.

Changing Your Air Filter

As far as preventing problems goes, changing your air filter is a great start. All the air that passes through your HVAC system eventually runs through the air filter, which means that filter is largely responsible for airflow from your heating and cooling systems.

According to most heating and air conditioning repair experts, you should change your air filter at least every 6 months. If you have a family with children, you should change it every 3 months. Households with pets should change their filter as often as once every month, and should consider investing in a HEPA filter or one with a high MERV rating.

If you don’t change your air filter often enough, you’ll put a lot of extra stress on your HVAC system. Motors will have to work harder to force air throughout your home, which will shorten their lifespan and ultimately cost you more money when it comes to heating and cooling your home. The good news is, this is all preventable without spending a fortune on parts or repairs. If there’s one thing you stay on top of when it comes to HVAC maintenance, it should be your air filter.

Don’t Abuse Your HVAC System

While some Chattanooga, TN, homeowners might be aware, a lot of people don’t understand just how important it is to treat an HVAC system right. This doesn’t just mean keeping up with routine maintenance, it means using your HVAC system the right way so you don’t have to spend a fortune on heating and air conditioning repair.

The most important thing is making sure you aren’t working your HVAC system too hard. As tempting as it might be to crank your thermostat all the way up or down to get the desired temperature faster, that puts a lot of extra stress on your HVAC system. In some cases, the lifespan of your heating or cooling system could be shortened by years simply because of how you run it.

Another thing to think about with overusing your HVAC system is the fact that it costs you money. Aside from leading to more frequent heating and air conditioning repair, overworking an HVAC system also drives up your monthly power bill. If you want to save money on heating and air conditioning repair and your monthly energy usage, keep your thermostat set to about 68 degrees all the time.

The Importance of Your Thermostat

Most homeowners don’t think a whole lot about their thermostat, which is why many people have an old thermostat that hasn’t been replaced in decades. As is the case with every other part of your HVAC system, you eventually need to replace your thermostat when it goes bad. The good news is, you can have a heating and air conditioning repair company install a new one for a great price.

The most important thing when it comes to your thermostat is accuracy. When you set your thermostat to a certain temperature, you need to be able to trust that your home will reach that temperature. If your thermostat works your HVAC system too hard, it could cost you money.

Fortunately, a new thermostat is one of the simplest investments when it comes to your HVAC system. For starters, you can get a very accurate thermostat for under $100. If you want a programmable thermostat or one you can control from your smartphone, you’ll have to spend a little more. No matter what type of thermostat you choose for your home, a heating and air conditioning repair pro can get it installed in no time.

The Smart Way

As important as it is to do your part when it comes to taking care of your HVAC system, you need some professional help. If you notice a problem, calling a pro should be your first move.

At Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air we specialize in heating and air conditioning repair, maintenance and installation. No matter what you need fixed or replaced, we’ve got you covered with quality parts. Next time you have a problem with your HVAC system, call Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air at (423) 668-0507.