Texas is known for quite a few things, and mild summers are not one of them.
It gets hot here. Really hot.
One of the most expensive systems in your rental property is the HVAC system. You need to have that system working as well as it can in your rental property. This is especially true in Temple, where summers often feel 10 months long. Your tenants will need reliable air conditioning. You don’t want to deal with frantic calls that the air conditioning has stopped working on an August afternoon that’s climbing towards 100 degrees.
The HVAC is about so much more than good air conditioning. Heat and ventilation are also important and contribute to indoor health and efficient energy usage.
It’s the heat we’re thinking about today, though. We highly recommend a service contract with a reputable HVAC contractor who can service your system at least annually. Now, we want to talk about the importance of preventative maintenance when it comes to expensive systems like your HVAC and how you can prepare for the next sweltering Texas summer.
Preventative Maintenance Benefits for HVAC Systems in Temple Rental Homes
Preventative maintenance is something that every Temple rental property owner needs to prioritize. It’s the best way to protect yourself against costly emergency repairs. It preserves the condition and value of your investment, and it’s the best way to begin preparing for the heat that we know is coming.
Here are some of the most important benefits of this type of preventative maintenance schedule for your HVAC system.
- Your HVAC System Will Last Longer
Most HVAC systems can be expected to work well for 15 to 20 years. That’s a decent lifespan, but they’ll only last that long if they’re well-cared for. They cost thousands of dollars, so you don’t want to be replacing them every few years. With preventative maintenance and routine service calls, you’ll extend the life of your heating and cooling system and maximize the time you have with it. A poorly maintained air conditioner will not survive 20 years, and you’ll be looking at expensive repairs and replacements over time.
- Preventative Maintenance Increases Tenant Retention
We don’t know a lot of tenants who will remain in a property that doesn’t have reliable air conditioning during an uncomfortable summer in Temple. With annual or biannual preventative service appointments, your HVAC technician will clean and inspect the entire system and test its internal components. Your tenants will enjoy a system that works well and is easily maintained. Remind them about filter changes, and everyone will feel more comfortable will a well-maintained heating and cooling system.
- Air Quality Is Improved Inside the Home
It’s about keeping the inside of the home cool, but it’s also about having breathable air. The “V” in HVAC stands for ventilation, and it’s often forgotten when owners are more focused on the heat and the air. Tenants will appreciate the air quality inside the home when your system is working efficiently. There are tons of allergens in the air and lots of dust that enter the system, especially if there are pets in the home. All the air in your rental home passes through the furnace filter. Your service technician can make sure the filter is doing what it should; removing trapped dirt, pollen ,and allergens from the air inside the home.
- Lower Energy Bills
An inspection from a professional service technician ensures your HVAC system is working at peak efficiency. If not properly cleaned every year, your system could be losing up to 40 percent of its energy efficiency, which is going to mean higher electric bills. Properly maintaining your system is the best thing you can do to keep energy bills down, which is great if utilities are included and you’re paying for them. Point this out to your tenants when they maintain their own utility accounts so they understand the value you are providing to them with preventative HVAC maintenance.
- Reliable A/C All Year Long
When the Temple heat and humidity settle in, your tenants rely on your air conditioner to keep the home comfortable. The air conditioner includes an inside and outside air unit. It’s important to clear debris from the cooling coils on the outside unit to keep the system running properly. A plugged coil is the primary reason air conditioners fail in the hot summer months. With preventative visits from a qualified service technician, the coils will be cleaned and inspected.
Tips and Steps to Maintaining the HVAC
The benefits to good preventative maintenance are so important to real estate investors who want to maximize both energy efficiency and rental values. Here are some effective tips to prepare your rental unit’s HVAC system for the demanding Texas heat.
- Schedule a Professional HVAC Inspection
The first and most crucial step to maintaining any HVAC system is a thorough professional inspection. We talked about this as we were making the case for a strong preventative approach. Hiring a licensed technician ensures that issues like clogged filters, refrigerant leaks, or faulty thermostats are identified and addressed promptly. An HVAC service professional will also assess the system’s efficiency and provide recommendations to keep it running at peak performance.
We are often asked how many times a unit needs to be inspected. Because this is Texas and because it is so hot, we recommend that you schedule inspections twice a year—once before summer and once before winter. This ensures your tenants’ comfort year-round.
- Replace or Clean Air Filters Regularly
Dirty air filters not only force the HVAC system to work harder but also lower indoor air quality. Encourage tenants to replace filters every one to three months, especially in the summer when the A/C works overtime. Alternatively, you can take responsibility for filter changes during scheduled maintenance. There are services that can be hired to deliver filters in the right size and on the right schedule as well.
Clean filters improve airflow, energy efficiency, and protect the system from unnecessary strain. If you’re conflicted about how to manage filter changes, contact us. We have a few different thoughts about how to handle this.
- Clean the Outdoor Unit
The outdoor HVAC unit often accumulates debris, such as leaves, dirt, and grass clippings, which can obstruct airflow and reduce efficiency. Before the summer heat sets in, perform a quick cleaning or ask your landscaping team to make sure that the airflow is working the way it should. You want to remove any debris in a way that’s safe:
- Turn off the power to the unit.
- Remove the buildup on the unit’s exterior with a hose.
- Clear at least two feet of space around the unit.
This simple step keeps your system efficient and prevents overheating.
- Check the Thermostat
Verify that the thermostat is functioning properly. Consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat to give tenants more control over their energy use. These thermostats allow tenants to adjust settings remotely and create energy-efficient schedules, reducing utility bills and extending the HVAC system’s lifespan. Residents love having even a little bit of smart home tech in their homes, so installing a smart thermostat is a great idea for a number of reasons. These intuitive thermostats can save money on energy costs and help your residents survive the Texas heat.
- Inspect and Seal Ductwork
Leaky or poorly insulated ductwork forces the HVAC system to work harder to distribute cool air. Over time, this can lead to higher energy costs and uneven cooling that leaves tenants dissatisfied. Hire a professional to inspect for leaks, clean the ducts, and apply proper insulation where needed. This is an important part of keeping the cool air inside the property and the hot, humid air out.
- Top Off Refrigerant Levels
Low refrigerant levels can drastically affect your HVAC system’s cooling capacity. A refrigerant check is something your technician will handle during a maintenance visit. Keeping refrigerant levels in check ensures that your system cools effectively, even during the peak of summer.
- Encourage Energy-Saving Practices
It’s difficult to mandate behavior with tenants, but if they’re willing and open, talk about ways to keep the HVAC in good shape and the rental home comfortable. While HVAC maintenance is primarily your responsibility as the property owner, educating tenants about energy-saving practices can go a long way. Provide simple tips like:
- Close blinds or curtains during the day to block heat.
- Use ceiling fans to circulate cool air.
- Set the thermostat a few degrees higher when no one is home.
This collaborative approach not only reduces energy consumption but also helps the HVAC system operate more efficiently.
Let’s talk about more ways to preserve the condition and function of your HVAC system. Please contact us at Shine Residential Management for help.
A property management company based in Harker Heights, Shine Residential Management cares for exceptional single-family homes throughout Central Texas, including in Killeen, Temple, Belton, Copperas Cove, Salado, and Georgetown.
