The average homeowner does not perform routine maintenance on the HVAC equipment in their home. Studies show that the average homeowner contacts an HVAC repair service when there is a problem with the heating or cooling equipment. HVAC company repair bills average $200 or more for repair services. That’s a lot of money to spend every time there is a small problem. Fortunately, a lot of money can be saved on HVAC repairs. One way to save money on repairs is to provide monthly maintenance on the heating and cooling equipment. Monthly heating and air conditioning system maintenance includes changing the air filter. The air filter is the first line of defense that your heating and air conditioning system has against pollutants, contaminants, dust, and debris that might harm the system. When the air filter is covered with indoor pollutants, the heating and air conditioning equipment has to work even harder. Good airflow is an important part of the system and this is another reason why it is very important to keep the air filter changed monthly. Another way to provide monthly maintenance to your system is to check the outdoor unit. Dirt and leaves should be removed and mud and dirt should be cleaned from the machine as well. The condenser line can also be cleaned monthly using warm soapy water or a bleach solution. Mold, mildew, and algae can build up inside this line, but regular maintenance certainly helps protect the system against this issue. When these simple tasks are performed monthly, the amount of repair bills and costs can be cut in half.