The No. 1 HVAC mistake thats costing homeowners thousands

Most homeowners wait until the last minute to see what’s wrong with their HVAC.If the AC is cooling or the system looks normal, it is easy to assume everything is fine.But that is exactly how small HVAC problems can turn into expensive repairs or even a full system replacement.The No.1 mistake costing homeowners thousands is skipping regular HVAC maintenance until the system breaks down.Anything from a dirty, clogged filter to lack of airflow or ignoring that one incessant noise your machine keeps making may not seem like a big deal at first.

But over time, those problems can make the system work harder, damage parts, hurt efficiency and shorten the life of the equipment.Joey Dooley, a general manager at ARS, a national residential HVAC and home services company, says maintenance is not optional if you want the system to last.“The importance of maintenance may change a little depending on where you are in the U.S., but biannual maintenance is the baseline,” he says.“Almost every manufacturer recommends it, and I can tell you that a lot of them also effectively require maintenance if you want to protect your warranty.”Here’s why skipping maintenance can get expensive and what to do instead.HVAC systems are not built to be ignored, especially if you hear a consistent noise in your machine.“One of the most common issues we see is a bad capacitor,” says Dooley.

“Depending on where you live in the country, it really feels like most people will have at least one failure within the first year or two of the system.Capacitors just don’t last as long as they used to.”A technician may be able to catch problems like that before they become a bigger emergency.

Waiting until the system stops working can leave you with fewer options, especially during peak heating or cooling season.Yes, I know it’s annoying to remember to clean your air filter, but it’s an important step in maintaining your unit.A dirty or clogged filter can restrict airflow, make the ...