The Real Cost of Waiting: How Deferred HVAC Maintenance Hits Your Budget Later

If your AC is making strange noises or your furnace isn’t keeping your home as warm as it once did, it can be tempting to ignore the issue and hope it goes away.

But small HVAC problems rarely fix themselves. In many cases, putting off repairs can lead to bigger breakdowns, higher energy bills and much more expensive fixes down the road.

Deferring HVAC maintenance will cost you. That’s why USA TODAY talked to the HVAC experts at ARS to learn more about how regular HVAC maintenance helps save you money in the long run.

How Deferred HVAC Maintenance Drives Up Energy Costs

Your HVAC system needs clear airways for air to flow freely, and for your system to work at its highest efficiency. Regular HVAC maintenance catches easy fixes that could be inhibiting your system from operating at its highest potential. “The number one thing that we see is not changing the filters,” says Ken Turner, HVAC sales manager at YES! Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electric℠. Other simple HVAC maintenance items commonly missed include evaporator coil and compressor cleanings and refrigerant charge checks.

The most common direct causes of home energy waste due to your HVAC include:

Clogged air filters: When air can’t pass through your HVAC unit and ducts, your entire system has to work extra hard to push air.
Dirty evaporator and condenser coils: This can lead to less efficient heat transfer, which can lead to longer system run times and more energy waste.
Low refrigerant charge: Low refrigerant charge can strain your compressor and cool less efficiently.
Faulty thermostats: Older thermostats that need replacing might have inaccurate temperature readings that cause your system to run when it doesn’t have to. It can also lead to short cycling where your HVAC system turns on and off quickly without finishing an entire cycle, causing extra wear on your compressor.

All of these items can lead to reduced performance, and can compound issues over time. “Higher utility bills, system being more uncomfortable, and noises are warning signs,” says Turner, and may mean your system is due for maintenance. Or worse, in need of repairs.

Why Small HVAC Issues Become Expensive Repairs

If they aren’t addressed, lack of HVAC maintenance issues can quickly escalate into major component failures.

Think of small issues as a chain reaction: when one part doesn’t work like it should, every other component has to work harder. The harder those components have to work, like your blower or evaporator coil, the more wear they accumulate and the faster they fail.

Turner estimates that a $200 to $300 part could end up costing a homeowner as much as $3,000 or more if the problem is left unchecked. Or, a fan motor might cost $450 to $500, according to Justin Livesay, a director of credit and collections at American Residential Services, LLC (ARS), but a brand new AC unit could cost $12,000 or more to replace. Of course, these are just estimates. For the most accurate pricing, contact your local HVAC provider for a personalized quote.

How Skipped Maintenance Can Shorten Your System’s Lifespan

Skipped HVAC maintenance is more than just increased energy bills, it’s a one-way ticket to needing to replace your entire HVAC system sooner than its expected lifespan. Some sources estimate failure to maintain your HVAC system can take as much as five to 10 years off the total life of your system. Suddenly, a system that may have lasted up to 20 years needs a full replacement at 10.

Regular HVAC tune-ups and maintenance lengthens your system’s lifespan in more ways than one:

Catch deteriorating parts early to prevent larger breakdowns
Regular cleaning that allows all components to run at their most efficient

HVAC maintenance identifies smaller parts that could easily be updated to keep the entire system lasting longer. “By replacing proactively those little parts and pieces, they will keep the bigger, more expensive components running better and stronger and longer,” says Turner.

The Hidden Costs of Unexpected HVAC Breakdowns

There’s nothing worse than needing a new AC unit during a major heatwave or replacing your furnace in the dead of winter. The inconvenience and discomfort aside, you can expect to pay a lot more if you need repairs over the weekend or during a holiday.

Emergency HVAC repairs can be much more expensive than scheduling a replacement as your system ages out. For example, emergency HVAC rates can be as much as three times the cost of a regular HVAC visit. Instead of paying a $75 service fee, you might pay $250 or more. And that’s before any diagnosis or repairs have been done.

How Preventive HVAC Maintenance Can Save You Money

The cost of an HVAC tune-up is pennies compared to the money you’ll save on energy costs and unexpected breakdowns. Regular HVAC maintenance gets you more years out of your system, better energy efficiency and fewer unexpected breakdowns.

Another major way HVAC maintenance saves you money is by preserving your warranty. Home insurance rarely covers HVAC system breakdowns, leaving the majority of the cost on you. That is, unless you have an HVAC warranty. An HVAC home warranty can cover breakdowns due to normal wear and tear. Problem is, you may get denied coverage if you can’t provide regular maintenance records. That mistake could cost you thousands, plus a home warranty you’re paying for but don’t get to use.