Polar Vortex Finally Gone? Might be Time to Think About Your AC System

Throughout the winter months, especially while the Polar Vortex was bringing record-breaking cold temperatures to lots of areas throughout the United States, staying cool was certainly easy. Instead of cracking the window or turning on the fan, the majority of Americans have been calling up heating contractors to make sure they are able to fight back against the cold. However, spring is just around the corner and it might be time for airconditioning repairs before you know it. Getting them ahead of time is vital for making sure you are able to stay cool and avoid excessive utility bills when summer temperatures might make you miss the Polar Vortex!

Experts say that you should have heating and air conditioning repair professionals inspect and perform any necessary maintenance on your HVAC system twice a year. They should come once in the fall before the winter arrives and then again during the spring to get ready for the summer. But despite recommendations, just over 40% of American homeowners even have their HVAC systems serviced once a year. If you fall into that category, you could run into a number of problems that prevent your home from staying comfortable when the outside temperatures get extreme.

There are all kinds of common problems that homeowners might have to deal with that will lead to heating and airconditioning repairs. Some are certainly more complex than others, but the list can include things like malfunctioning thermostats, leaky ducts, worn out coils, or even problems with the home like insufficient insulation. All of those will not only make it tough to stay cool, but cause utility bills to increase. Homeowners should already expect to spend hundreds when the AC has to run all summer, but those numbers can get much higher if systems are not working properly.

Since the average airconditioning repair cost, according to HomeAdvisor, is around $415, you might be tempted to make repairs on your own. In some cases, this is a good idea, and certain upgrades are simple. However, there are lots of mistakes that you might make that contractors won’t, so hiring a pro might be the better option. The savings on utility bills will certainly help to offset the initial cost.

Though there are tricks you can use to stay warm in the winter or cool in the summer, most Americans depend on reliable HVAC systems to stay comfortable all year. However, like a car or anything else, even strong systems can wear down and break over time. As a result, regular inspections and maintenance are wise for every homeowner. Read more.