SMO Energy

HVAC Maintenance

HVAC Service and Maintenance in South Maryland

When it comes to your HVAC system, preventative maintenance is crucial. Routine servicing keeps your heating and cooling system running efficiently for years to come. Preventative maintenance and annual tune-ups can alert your service technician to minor problems that — if left untreated — could lead to more costly repairs in the future. It can be a challenge to know when it is the right time to call a technician— SMO Energy can help. 

What Is Involved in HVAC Maintenance?

Benefits of Regular HVAC Maintenance in Southern Maryland

Maintaining your HVAC system offers several benefits, including:

  • Ensuring everything is working well: Regular maintenance tune-ups keep your equipment operating at full-performance.
  • Extending your equipment’s life: Addressing minor issues and repairs as they arise, rather than ignoring your HVAC unit, can help your system last longer.
  • Keeping your equipment safe: Sometimes a problem with your HVAC unit, like an electrical issue or poor air quality, could be a safety risk. Regular maintenance is the best way to keep your home safe.
  • Saving you from potentially costly repairs: Addressing minor heating and cooling repairs as they come up, instead of letting the problems get worse, may save you from an expensive repair or replacement in the future.
  • Keeping your energy costs minimal: When your HVAC unit is not working the way it should, you could see a rise in your energy costs. Keep those costs minimal by scheduling regular tune-ups.

A big part of preventative maintenance goes beyond annual tune-ups. It also includes scheduling an appointment with your technician anytime you have a concern or notice something unusual with your heating and cooling system.

Benefits of Regular HVAC Maintenance in Southern Maryland

Certified HVAC technicians check several different parts of your heating and cooling system during a tune-up. During an annual tune-up, our technicians will:

  • Inspect your system: A technician will perform a visual inspection of both the interior and exterior of your heating and cooling system. During the inspection, they will look at the fan blades for signs of damage as well. The technician will also confirm that the HVAC unit starts and stops the way it should and that all parts are working correctly. They may also listen for any unusual sounds coming from your system.
  • Clean your equipment: A tune-up includes clearing away any debris from the interior and exterior of your HVAC unit, such as dirt, dust or leaves.
  • Change the filter: Air filters are the key to clean air. If necessary, the technician will change your system’s filters during the tune-up, ensuring your home has access to good indoor air quality at all times.
  • Check the connectivity: A connectivity check includes ensuring everything is wired correctly and connections are snugly fit. Not only does this keep everything working the way it should, but it keeps your home safe, too.
  • Calibrate the thermostat: Your technician will make sure your thermostat is functioning correctly. A working thermostat can help you keep your home comfortable at all times.
  • Add lubrication: Lubrication keeps all of your unit’s moving parts operating smoothly and with as little resistance as possible.

One way to keep your heating and cooling equipment protected throughout the year is by investing in a service agreement from SMO Energy.

If you have specific concerns about your heating and cooling system, let your technician know before they begin your inspection. They can investigate the source of the problem. If the technician finds that your system needs additional repairs beyond the maintenance involved in the tune-up, they will discuss the costs with you and let you know what your options are.

Receive a Tune-Up and Protection With a Service Agreement From SMO Energy

One way to keep your heating and cooling equipment protected throughout the year is by investing in a service agreement from SMO Energy. SMO’s annual protection plans ensure you are covered in the event of an emergency. The plans also provide you with a free yearly tune-up. SMO Energy offers discounts for multiple service agreements to protect all of the equipment in your home.

SMO Energy is one of the leading HVAC service providers in southern Maryland. We are happy to service clients in Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties.

FAQ: HVAC Services and Maintenance

Want to know more? Below you will find some frequently asked questions regarding preventative heating and air conditioning maintenance and SMO Energy’s HVAC services.

HVAC services include the installation, maintenance, repair and replacement of your home heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

When you are looking for quality HVAC services, it is a good idea to check business credentials and read any customer testimonials. Rather than trying to service your HVAC system yourself, a certified technician should always do HVAC repairs and installations. High-quality HVAC servicers are well-trained, knowledgeable and take the time to address each of your concerns.

HVAC units typically have a lifespan of 10-15 years. However, the lifespan of your heating and cooling system depends on several factors, including regular maintenance and frequency of use. That means there may be times when you need to replace your HVAC unit sooner. Additionally,there may be instances where only a few parts of your unit will need to be replaced.

A couple of things that can indicate it is time to replace your entire HVAC unit include:

  • Frequency of repair: If you have had to call a repair technician to address problems with your HVAC unit several times over the past few years, it may be time to consider replacing your system.
  • Rising energy costs: If you have noticed an unexplained increase in your energy bill,the efficiency of your HVAC unit could be to blame, and it may be time for a replacement. 

The cost of servicing an HVAC system depends on a combination of factors, including the size and type of HVAC unit, whether the system is being repaired or replaced, the age of your unit and the overall nature of the service.

Preventative HVAC maintenance means taking the steps necessary to ensure your HVAC system continues to run smoothly and efficiently before a repair is needed. Preventative maintenance includes scheduling annual maintenance tune-ups, keeping track of when filters need to be changed and being proactive about any changes you experience with your HVAC system. Successful preventative maintenance includes notifying your HVAC equipment service provider of any problems or concerns you have regarding your heating and cooling.

Being proactive about your HVAC unit’s health is the best way to ensure seamless operation. By scheduling routine maintenance on your system and addressing issues as they arise, you are keeping your HVAC system in prime shape. Not only does this prolong the life of your HVAC system, but it may save you from potentially more substantial and expensive damages that tend to arise from an ignored HVAC unit. Plus, taking preventative care of your HVAC system helps to reduce the likelihood of breakdowns, meaning you, your family and your home remain comfortable.

Routine maintenance can alert technicians to any problems — or potential future problems — with your HVAC unit. Without the eye of a trained professional, some of these issues could escalate further, causing a breakdown of your HVAC unit. If you wait until your system breaks down to have it repaired, it tends to be more costly to fix or may even result in total system replacement. 

Yes, SMO Energy understands the importance of a warm home, especially in those cold winter months. Should your heating system fail in the middle of the night or over the weekend, SMO Energy will send an emergency technician to your home for an additional fee.

When something happens with your HVAC unit, it can sometimes be difficult to know if the issue warrants a service visit outside of your annual tune-up and maintenance. Here are some signs that you should definitely schedule an appointment with your HVAC technician:

  • Unusual sounds or smells: If you notice a strange rattling or popping sound or notice an abnormal odor, it is time to call your HVAC technician.
  • Lack of airflow: If your HVAC unit is not putting out as much air as it used to, this is an indicator that something could be blocked internally. Certified technicians can locate the source of the issue and fix it properly.
  • Incorrect temperatures: If the temperature on your thermostat does not appear to match the temperature you are feeling in your home, it could be as simple as an issue with the thermostat. It could also be a sign of a more significant problem with the unit itself.
  • A noticeable change in air quality: Do you feel dizzy, sneeze more than usual and experience other symptoms while indoors? If the symptoms seem to clear up when you go outside, it’s likely poor air quality inside is to blame — and your HVAC system could be the cause.

SMO Energy has over 124 years of experience in the industry. Our knowledgeable technicians complete over 2,700 hours of training every year to maintain and learn new working knowledge of heating oil, propane, air conditioners, boilers, furnaces, heat pumps, ductless mini-splits, water heaters (both tanked and tankless), indoor air quality systems, fireplaces and generators.

In addition to HVAC services, SMO Energy offers heating oil and propane delivery and free energy consultations. We also provide a variety of equipment, including:

  • Air conditioners
  • Boilers
  • Fireplaces
  • Furnaces
  • Heat pumps
  • Water heaters
  • Standby generators
  • Ductless mini-splits
  • Indoor air quality

Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Our HVAC Service Areas in Southern Maryland

SMO Energy’s commitment to industry leadership began in 1926 when Jim Wills and Harold Swann acquired La Plata Oil Company and Mechanicsville Oil Company. They merged the two companies to create Southern Maryland Oil Company (SMO). The newly formed company distributed products and pledged to deliver “courteous and efficient service.” Soon after, the company began deliveries on an automatic basis – the first such service available to clients in Southern Maryland. Wills and Swann had no idea that their company would grow into one of the largest businesses of its kind in southern Maryland.

For over 124 years, SMO Energy has continued to work and be recognized for its great customer service.

SMO Energy is proud to serve the following areas:

  • St. Mary’s County
  • Anne Arundel County
  • Prince George’s County
  • Charles County
  • Calvert County

Schedule Your Annual HVAC Maintenance With SMO Energy

Schedule your annual HVAC maintenance with SMO Energy. In addition to our dedication to courteous, efficient service, we offer:

  • 24/7 Emergency Service: SMO Energy offers Emergency Service to get your equipment fixed quickly.*
  • Certified Technicians: Our technicians are NATE-certified and undergo an additional 2,700 hours of technical training. Rework this sentence to remove NATE-certification. Our technicians are no longer certified.
  • Financing Options: SMO Energy offers great financing options for well-qualified clients. We also offer low monthly payment options to fit your budget.
  • Maintenance and Service: Our certified technicians perform annual tune-ups, prime and starts, and safety propane gas checks.
  • Service Agreements: Unexpected repairs or replacements can be expensive. Protect your equipment with a service agreement and receive a free annual tune-up, parts and labor coverage, and 24/7 emergency heat service.

Whether you are looking for HVAC replacement, repair, installation or preventative maintenance, our trusted professionals can help. We are dedicated to finding you the best fit for both your home comfort needs, as well as your budget. Start the process with a free in-home energy consultation to get your free estimate.

To set up your consultation or to learn more about SMO Energy’s HVAC services, contact us online or give us a call at 1-888-222-3720.

*Emergency services are subject to an additional fee.