It's hard to miss the ads: Extend The Life Of Your Heater and Air Conditioner -- Sign Up For A Service Plan Today! But, as a renter, does having a long term maintenance plan really makes sense?

These plans certainly benefit homeowners, providing regular inspections which prolong the life of their investment. For renters, however, an extended contract might have some limited benefit, which is why creating a maintenance plan, even without a membership, provides many advantages.

Whether you own or rent, you can realize many benefits by taking the time to create a maintenance plan for your heating and cooling system. Continue reading for some helpful tips!

Change Your Filters to Save Money

Air conditioning and heater filters should be changed every year. This one tip is both an inexpensive and effective way to keep your HVAC unit running in good shape.

Air filters accumulate a lot of dust, pet dander, and other particles that would otherwise float in the air where you breathe it in. Unchecked air filters can clog, dramatically reducing air flow and putting extra strain on your HVAC system.

Dirty filters can also cause the unit to cycle on and off more often than necessary, which wastes energy and raises your energy bill. Frequent cycling also strains the motor, reducing the life of the unit. Be on the lookout for any abnormal operation from your AC - so you can address issues before they become emergencies.

Breathe Easy With a Professional Cleaning

A professional should clean your vents and ducts about every 3 years. By some estimates, every home accumulates about 40 pounds of dust each year.

It stands to reason that some of that dust will sit in your vents, only to be blown out when the air cycles on.

For those with allergies or asthma, this can wreak havoc on their lungs. But even people without those conditions benefit from cleaner air.

Getting a professional to clean the vents in your home will not only protect your HVAC unit from working too hard, but it will also help clean the air you have to breathe.

Improve Air Quality to Improve Your Life

It's hard to overstate the importance of breathing clean air. And with spring just around the corner, pollen will burst into every corner of your home.

You can do many things to help keep good air quality at home, from taking your shoes off when you come in from outside to dusting and vacuuming frequently.

Cleaner air means less airborne particles that can irritate your lungs. Beyond the simple things you can do, don't forget the benefits a clean HVAC system provides for the quality of air in your home. It doesn't matter if you move frequently, or if you stay in one place for years.

Making a plan for maintaining your heating and cooling unit always makes sense. It keeps you healthy and saves you money. Best of all, it can prevent the need for emergency repairs.

If you'd like help making a plan to keep your heating and cooling system working at its peak, call Elite Electric & Air at (772) 356-1735. We'd be happy to provide expert advice on how to keep your home healthy and comfortable all year long!