“How often should HVAC units be serviced?” You might wonder. The short answer is at least once per year and in the spring and fall before you need cooling and heating.
No one wants to be caught in the dog days of summer, sticky and wet because an A/C unit went out. Likewise, bundling up and shivering under blankets in the dead of winter because of a broken furnace doesn’t sound like an ideal way to spend the winter holiday season.
Sarasota, FL homeowners and businesses: a little maintenance goes a long way.
We’re Streamline Heating and Air, southern Florida’s go-to HVAC repair, maintenance, and installation team. For more than 20 years, we’ve been helping Florida homeowners and businesses with all their climate and HVAC needs.
Whether you need a blower replacement or a hand with your new HVAC install, we’re here to offer straightforward and simplified solutions for all your HVAC needs.
If you’re wondering how often an HVAC unit should be serviced, join us!
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- What constitutes HVAC maintenance
- Factors that affect the frequency of needed HVAC maintenance
- The best times of the year to schedule HVAC maintenance
- Benefits and advantages of regular HVAC preventive maintenance
Table: How often should HVAC systems be serviced?
| “Okay” practice | “Better” practice | Best practice | |
| HVAC maintenance schedule | Less than one time per year | At least once per year | Two times per year (or more) |
Defining HVAC maintenance
When we’re discussing HVAC maintenance, we’re talking about preventive services where an HVAC specialist checks all systems on an A/C or heating unit. During this check, a trained HVAC specialist focuses on one specific system — or they’ll cover the entire system.
The depth of their maintenance checks depends on your preferences and needs.
In general, though, HVAC maintenance relies on specific functions of HVAC, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. By focusing on many climate-related areas, an air conditioning and heating specialist will help you keep your system running smoothly.
Factors affecting scheduled HVAC maintenance
In general, two main factors affect HVAC service and maintenance schedules work. The two factors are:
- An HVAC system’s age
- The region and climate in which the HVAC system is used
Let’s explore each factor at greater length.
An HVAC system’s age
When considering maintenance on your HVAC unit or system, determining whether your HVAC unit is on the newer or older side can help. For example, you’ll likely want to service a new HVAC system at least one time a year at a minimum.
If you plan on using your HVAC system for 15 years or more, then you’ll want to consider more frequent maintenance intervals.
On the flip side, older HVAC systems may necessitate more frequent service throughout the year. We recommend servicing an HVAC system at least twice a year if not more for both new and old HVAC systems.
Of course, in our humid, Floridian heat, you’ll want to consider more frequent intervals. Speaking of regions of the world, let’s explore the importance of HVAC maintenance as it pertains to geographical location.
In which region you’re operating your HVAC unit
In hot and humid Florida where we’re based, we do a great deal of air conditioner repair and service work to ensure our customers’ A/C and heating units work year-round. Because of our hot climate, we recommend calling an HVAC technician more than just one time a year for a comprehensive maintenance appointment.
If you’re trying to keep your HVAC unit in shape for the hot summer months (or cold and dark winters), consider seasonal HVAC maintenance checks. With seasonal checks during the off-season (in spring and fall, that is), you’ll be more likely to avoid potential issues and increase the lifespan of your heating and cooling unit.
Know the best time to schedule HVAC service
Speaking of the off-season, you might be wondering at this point, “What is the off-season for HVAC maintenance? When’s the best time to schedule HVAC service?”
Since research indicates that an HVAC system can influence comfort — even the performance of individuals — on and off the job, we recommend scheduling HVAC services at least twice a year.
Scheduling maintenance in the less hot and less cold seasons — spring and fall — is best.
And, as a best practice, we recommend scheduling HVAC maintenance in the weeks and months before the spring and fall seasons. Doing so will ensure the longevity of your HVAC unit.
Advantages of scheduling regular HVAC service
If you’re not yet convinced of the importance of regular HVAC maintenance, we understand. Seeing the payoff of a long-term investment can sometimes be tricky.
But, knowing about the advantages and benefits of regular HVAC service and maintenance can make your next appointment more fruitful.
Advantages of scheduling regular HVAC maintenance include (but aren’t limited to):
- Enjoying a more reliable and efficient HVAC system
- Nipping potential issues in the bud before they become an emergency
- Seeing fewer HVAC breakdowns
- Increased savings on utilities and other costs over the long haul
- Increased longevity of your air conditioner and heating system
When you invest in a little annual — or even semi-annual — HVAC maintenance, you can guarantee a safer, more cost efficient, and healthy HVAC system.
Did you know?
Part of an HVAC technician’s job is to ensure your HVAC system looks clean and flush with the interior of your home and/or building. Here’s how to make an HVAC system look sexy within the interior of your living and working space.
Check out these awesome before and after pictures of a sexy-looking HVAC unit post-service!
Simplified HVAC solutions and straightforward answers with Streamline
“How often should HVAC be serviced?” many people tend to ask. Best practice is at least two times a year (or more) and during off-seasons.
Fall and spring tend to be the best times of the year for HVAC maintenance. People living in hotter, muggier regions — such as our Sarasota, Florida — might need to conduct more frequent HVAC maintenance.
If you’re trying to avoid air conditioner leaks and an A/C unit not blowing cold air, give the friendly and knowledgeable HVAC technicians at Streamline Air a call.
For straightforward answers and simplified solutions for all your HVAC needs, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (941) 356-6872. We’d be happy to provide you with all the answers you need for your next HVAC maintenance job.
