From November 2018 to November 2019, the price of electricity in Utah went up 0.36 cents per Kilowatt-hour. By November last year, Utah homeowners paid an average of 10.31 cents per kWh.
While this doesn’t seem like a big deal, it is, seeing as residential users in Utah consume about 742 kWh every month. If you do the math, you’ll see that this price spike means that Utahns pay $30 more a year for their electricity bill.
You could be paying even more if you leave your furnace or air conditioner ill-maintained.
That’s right. A dirty, inefficient HVAC in Utah County could be making your utility bills skyrocket. Especially during the county’s scorching hot days or freezing nights.
The good news is, proper maintenance can boost the energy efficiency of your HVAC system. Routine tune-ups carried out by an HVAC professional can also help extend the unit’s life.
Ready to learn all about HVAC maintenance in Utah County and what you can do about it? Keep reading then, as that’s what we’ll share with you in this post!
Consider this: Both your heater and air conditioner work hard for six months each. You may even be using your AC more these days, seeing as Utah’s average temperatures have gone up over the years. In fact, the state has had between 50 and 150 more cooling days from 1955 to 2015 compared to 1895 to 1954.
Either way, all that regular use reduces your HVAC unit’s efficiency and performance. Dust and debris will accumulate on both external and internal parts of the equipment. Without regular tune-ups, even the most modern and resilient system will get clogged.
This will then result in the heater and air conditioner having restricted airflow. The longer this goes on, the greater the stress placed on the HVAC unit, which can then lead to failure. Besides, this poor airflow will make you feel uncomfortable.
This alone should already make you realize how important expert HVAC maintenance is.
Here are some of the other top reasons you need regular HVAC inspections and maintenance.
On average, heating and cooling account for 42% of a home’s typical yearly utility bill. That’s already a lot, but an inefficient system will ultimately cost you more. This is why routine HVAC maintenance can save you thousands of dollars.
Over time, heat exchangers, heat pumps, external fans, and lines can freeze and crack. Air ducts will also start to leak and develop holes, which can lead to the loss of up to 30% of heated or cooled air. Gears can become loose, blowers can get dented, and fan motors can overheat.
Without routine HVAC maintenance, you likely won’t know that these issues already exist. You’ll only know once your heater or air conditioner stops running in the middle of peak demand.
After an HVAC maintenance service, you’ll know right away if there’s any part that’s up for repairs. Your trustworthy contractor will let you know if a major part is on its last legs and needs a replacement. This then helps you save time and money in getting the needed HVAC repairs done before winter or summer.
You should schedule HVAC maintenance at least twice a year. One is prior to the heating season, the other before the cooling season. The best times for these pre-season HVAC checkups and tune-ups are during spring and fall.
It’s best to get an early schedule since contractors are busiest during winter and summer. One reason is that a lot of people tend to put off maintenance until their systems start acting up. As such, many of them end up having HVAC problems during the actual heating and cooling seasons.
So, scheduling your heater and cooler maintenance early lets you skip the long queues. You can also save money since pre-season HVAC maintenance cost is usually lower. Best of all, you can worry less about the equipment breaking down when you need it the most.
This isn’t a complete list, but it’s the least that you can expect during your HVAC maintenance schedule.
The HVAC specialist will inspect and clean the evaporator and condenser coils. The contractor will also clean and adjust the system’s blower and fan components.
The HVAC specialist will also clean the ignition, flame sensor, and burners in the furnace. The contractor will also vacuum minor rust deposits on the heat exchanger.
During the service, the HVAC pro will inspect all switches, valves, and wirings. They will tighten any loose connection as well as test voltages and current on motors.
Lubrication of moving parts, such as blowers and fans, is key to preventing friction. Excessive friction not only causes a spike in energy use but also causes premature wear on parts.
Molds and other fungi can accumulate and clog up drain lines. Left unchecked, this can lead to water overflowing out of the unit’s drip pans. This can result in water damage, which your homeowners’ insurance won’t cover.
Don’t worry, as your Utah County HVAC specialist will remove these clogs. You can even have your drain lines applied with special antimicrobial treatment.
The HVAC pro will first inspect and clean the internal parts of your thermostat. They will then test it to ensure that it gives proper readings.
If you don’t have a programmable thermostat yet, the contractor may recommend that you get one. Of the almost 120 million households in the US, only 25 million have such a money-saving device installed. This can help you save money by automatically adjusting the temperature when no one is at home.
Yes, one of the best DIY HVAC maintenance tips is to change or wash your filters at least once every one or two months. You should also keep an eye on your air vents, and if possible, vacuum it at least once a month. Aside from reducing the strain on your HVAC system, these also help boost your home’s air quality.
Pay attention to overgrown grass that may be blocking your outdoor HVAC unit too. Dead leaves and other debris may have also piled up near the outdoor unit. Get rid of these blockages to prevent airflow restriction.
Utah County makes up 2.45% of the entire State of Utah and is home to 20 cities and 2 towns. Climates differ across the county’s 2,142 square miles.
Some cities, like Orem and Provo, experience a hot and humid continental climate. Whereas Cedar City has a cold, semi-arid climate. Eagle Mountain City has an even more unique climate, ranging from USDA Hardiness Zones 4b to 6a.
Although it has many climates, the hottest month throughout the county is the same — July. The temperature during this month has an average peak of 91.8 °F. This is warmer compared to other areas in the state.
July is also the driest month in Utah County.
Keep in mind, however, that Utah County has seen temperatures rise to over 100 degrees Over the years. For instance, back in June 2015, Provo recorded the highest temp for that month, which was 103 degrees. Spanish Fork also had a record-breaking high temp of 101 degrees.
The coldest month in Utah County is January, with the lowest temperatures averaging 19.8°. While this is already below freezing, it’s still warmer than many other places in the state.
Utah County, however, gets 60% more snow than many other places in the US. On average, the county gets up to 46 inches of snow each year, compared to the US average of only 28 inches.
Utah County, with a yearly average of 17 inches of rain, gets much less rain than many other places in the US. March sees the most rain, with at least 9 wet days. In total, the county experiences at least 87 days of rain each year, which is more than Utah’s other areas.
There you have it, your ultimate guide on maintaining your HVAC in Utah County. Also, keep in mind that the county’s varied climates can cut the life of your unit short. Heat and humidity can make your furnace and air conditioner more prone to corrosion.
All these environmental factors make routine tune-ups all the more important. Professional HVAC contractors can help protect your unit from early break downs.
Ready to boost your HVAC system’s efficiency, performance, and service life? Then please don’t hesitate to connect with us now to learn more about our Utah County HVAC services!
