Should You Schedule HVAC Maintenance Before Fall in Howell, MI?

As you’re enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures of the summer, you may not want to think about shivering in the ice and cold of a Michigan winter. (We understand.) However, to enjoy cozy comfort inside your home when temperatures plunge, the best approach is to be proactive. 

A key step in this philosophy is an annual late-summer HVAC tune-up in Howell, MI, which also helps extend the lifespan of your heating and cooling equipment. If you’re ready to schedule your HVAC maintenance appointment with Trusted Heating & Cooling Solutions, you can book your appointment online. 

Here, we’ll list four benefits of promptly scheduling maintenance before fall, getting ahead of the crowd, along with additional helpful information.

#1 Avoiding the Need for Winter HVAC Repairs

Cold weather can last for three or four months in Howell, Michigan, with January temperatures, on average, going down to a chilling 18 degrees. Add in wind chill, and you know how much colder that can make the air feel. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that winter is a peak season for HVAC demand: maintenance and repairs, including emergency repairs if your equipment breaks down. 

Rather than waiting until winter for your HVAC maintenance appointment in Howell, MI, a protective early autumn appointment can get your system in tip-top shape to keep you warm and comfortable through the winter months. 

If, on the other hand, someone skips their fall heating and cooling maintenance, they risk small problems turning into bigger, more expensive ones.

#2 Maintaining Your HVAC Warranty

Many HVAC equipment brands will void a warranty if the homeowner doesn’t keep up with regular maintenance. Warranties are important to keep active to:

• Protect Howell homeowners by providing coverage for parts and labor under the terms listed
• Save money on repairs when they’re needed

It’s helpful to understand what’s covered in your warranty, including extended ones if applicable. This helps you understand what benefits you have and avoid what could potentially void the coverage.

#3 Saving on Energy Costs

A heating and cooling system that isn’t well maintained has to work harder and use more energy to operate, adding to energy costs. USA Today did a deep dive on the subject, noting that systems that allow air to leak can cost homeowners as much as $400 more in utility bills each year. 

The article offers recommendations to lower energy costs, including what they label the “most overlooked fix” and the “easiest habit”:

• The most overlooked fix is heating and cooling tune-ups every spring and fall. That way, as noted above, you can get ahead of repairs, minimize them, and extend the lifespan of your system.
• The easiest habit to adopt is to regularly change your air filters. Follow manufacturer recommendations, which can range from monthly to every couple of months. If you’ve got shedding pets in your home, then you will want to change the filters more often.

So, to save on energy costs and to get ahead of winter heating and cooling repairs, book your HVAC maintenance in Howell, MI at your earliest convenience.

#4 Stay Snug During the Winter and Enjoy Peace of Mind

When your heating and cooling system isn’t working at its best, you may not stay as warm as you’d like during a Livingston County winter. Even if you do make it through the upcoming winter with no breakdowns, you may find yourself getting nervous when winds whistle and snow falls. 

Although Howell may not get as much snow as some other places in the Mitten State, the city still averages thirty-six inches each year. Howell homeowners are subject to snowstorms, when a well-functioning heating and cooling system can provide reassurance. An important step is a professional fall HVAC tune-up in Howell. Ideally, get yours in before autumn begins to get the best scheduling times.

Know When It’s Time to Consider an HVAC Replacement

An average heating and cooling system can last between ten and fifteen years. So, if yours is an aging system or you’ve had to make a significant number of repairs over the years, it can make sense to explore the pros and cons of an HVAC replacement. 

Signs that it may be time include the following:

• Weak airflow 
• Inconsistent heating in the rooms of your home
• Frequent on and off cycling (short cycling)
• Strange noises (squealing, clanking, and banging)
• Odd smells like scents of burning
• Higher energy bills without a ready explanation, like higher usage patterns or an increase in your rates

At a minimum, these signs indicate a need for prompt heating and cooling repairs. The more quickly that you act, the more likely that you can save money and extend the lifespan of your system. 

According to USA Today, homeowners can reduce their energy bills by at least twenty percent with a new heating and cooling unit, and they can perhaps double that amount. This translates into $300 to $500 in savings each year, with a complete return on investment typically happening some time between three and seven years, depending upon these factors:

• Climate in the area
• Usage patterns
• Initial system cost 
• Home size and layout
• Energy costs 

Wondering what’s right for you?

Reach Out to Trusted For Help With Decision Making

Our dedicated professionals are here to provide you with your fall HVAC tune-up in Howell, MI, with the maintenance you need to keep your system operating smoothly and help extend its lifespan. 

Leveraging cutting-edge technology and relying on our technicians’ knowledge and skills (of heating and cooling systems in general and of factors unique to Livingston County), we can diagnose problems, recommend solutions, and provide repairs that address the root of the situation rather than only its surface symptoms. Our goal for you and your family is long-term comfort, not a quick temporary fix.

Our experts at Trusted Heating & Cooling Solutions in Howell can also help you to weigh the pros and cons of repairing your system and those associated with a heating and cooling replacement. Although each Livingston County homeowner will need to make their own financial decision, many people follow the fifty percent rule of thumb: if repairs reach half of what a new system would, it’s time for a new installation. 

During the decision-making process, also factor in the energy efficiency of a new system. If yours is ten years old or older, a more energy-efficient replacement almost certainly exists. Choosing ENERGY STAR-certified equipment that’s properly installed, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, can bring about savings through reduced energy costs: about $140 each year in a typical scenario. 

Here are two more helpful pieces of information:

• When a new heating and cooling system is installed in less-than-optimal ways, efficiency can drop by as much as thirty percent, according to the Department of Energy.
• ENERGY STAR-certified smart thermostats can save you another $100 a year. So, if you don’t already have a smart thermostat, consider its installation. We’ll strategically place it in your home, and you can manage the home’s climate from wherever you are.

Our team at Trusted cares about you, your family, your home, and your comfort. We also care about our local community, supporting local nonprofits through our Trusted Cares program. So, by choosing us for your HVAC maintenance, repair, and installations, you’re also giving back to the community.

Schedule Your HVAC Maintenance in Howell, MI Today

Book your appointment today! Get scheduled before fall to avoid the busy winter season.