A: Yes! By the time July rolls around, your air conditioning unit has already been hard at work, keeping you cool and comfortable. Knowing Tennessee, though, the days are about to get even hotter! Professional HVAC tuneups and duct maintenance reduce the like-lihood of unexpected failures and keep your heating and cooling systems running effectively and efficiently.
Avoid costly emergency calls
Licensed and insured heating and cooling contractors not only clean your system, but they’ll also make sure everything’s in good working order. Preventive care can help you avoid costly emergency calls in the heat of the summer or the heart of winter.

A professional tuneup typically includes a general safety inspection as well as cleaning and checking evaporation and condenser coils, refrigerant levels, blowers, electrical connections and wiring, thermostat calibration, parts lubrication, burner assembly (for combustion systems), defrost cycle and reversing valve (for electric heat pumps), and system airflow and efficiency measurements.
Improve energy efficiency
Heating and cooling systems that aren’t properly maintained can be less efficient and could be driving up your energy bills. During a routine residential HVAC maintenance call, technicians optimize your system to make sure it’s running as efficiently as possible. This also helps lower energy costs.
Even the most efficient HVAC system can’t perform well if your ductwork is poorly sealed. Energy Star reports that 20% to 30% of the air that moves through a typical home’s duct system is lost as a result of poorly connected ducts, lack of insulation and other leaks.
That means your heating and cooling system has to work harder — and use more energy — to deliver conditioned air to your rooms. Professional duct sealing can significantly improve airflow, comfort and efficiency. In some cases, sealing and insulating ductwork can reduce your total energy bill by up to 20%.
Enhance indoor air quality
Typically, maintenance also includes checking and changing air filters. Clean air filters help your system run more efficiently, and they can help keep dust, allergens and other particles from circulating around your home, leading to a healthier indoor environment.
Changing the air filter inside your home frequently is an easy way to help your system and improve indoor air quality. Plus, it’s easy to do it yourself! If you’re not sure how, ask your contractor who will be happy to show you what you need to do.
Extend the lifespan of your heating system
Performing regular maintenance is a great opportunity to identify small concerns before they become major emergency problems. Tuneups can minimize the likelihood of costly emergency service calls and help ensure that your system works when you need it. When your system is running efficiently and smoothly, it’ll last longer too.

Keep you and your loved ones safe
Heating systems, especially older models, can pose health and safety risks. Routine maintenance is a great opportunity for your heating and cooling experts to look for leaks and check electrical connections, inspect heat exchangers and make sure that all safety mechanisms are working properly.

Peace of mind
If your heating and cooling equipment is more than 10 years old and your utility bills are going up, a professional inspection is the way to go. If it is time to consider a new system, be sure to ask your contractor about HVAC rebates that might be available.
Save money
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a well-maintained HVAC system can operate up to 15% more efficiently than an unmaintained system. That could mean significant savings over the course of a hot Tennessee summer or a chilly winter season — especially considering that heating and cooling account for nearly 50% of a typical home’s energy use.
HVAC tuneups and duct maintenance are the perfect example of spending money to save money. Avoiding emergency service calls, improving energy efficiency and prolonging the functional lifespan of your heating system are all great ways to save.
Brad Wagner is a programs operations manager at TVA EnergyRight, and he’s committed to helping people make informed decisions and lower their energy costs.