It’s never good news when what you need is experiencing a supply chain shortage. You may have even noticed a few industries that have been impacted most directly. From the auto industry to the HVAC industry, U.S. companies are being impacted by a supply chain shortage.

You’re not alone if you’ve been asking questions like, “How did it start?” and “How long will it last?”. Our current supply chain issues can be tied directly to the start of COVID-19. As countries issued lockdowns, manufacturers all over the world closed their doors and stopped production. Workers were sent home and consumers took to the internet to purchase items they needed at a greater rate. Thus ultimately, shipping companies were taxed with an unexpected increase in demand. A couple years later, manufacturers and shipping companies are still working to keep up with demand and get products where they need to be.

Like most Americans, you may be wondering what that means for you especially when it comes to your HVAC system. Something we need to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Keep reading to learn about 3 ways this could impact you directly.

1. Higher Prices

Anyone who took economics in high school or college knows about supply and demand.  If supply decreases and demand increases, then you’ll experience high prices when you go to sign on the dotted line. The HVAC industry is no different. As long as the supply chain issues continue, there will be a shortage of HVAC parts and equipment. Managing the HVAC supply chain shortages has resulted in a smaller inventory of equipment, increased transportation costs, and higher prices to replace or repair your HVAC system.

2. Delays on service appointments and repairs

With less inventory on replacement parts like compressors, motors, and raw materials, the average homeowner will see a delay in getting a service repair appointment or even finding the replacement parts they need in stock. Depending on your situation, this could result in you waiting for days or weeks to receive that replacement part so your service technician can get to work.

A great way to prepare for these delays is performing preventative maintenance today. At home, some great next steps you can take are changing out your air filters every month, keeping your unit clean, and investing in preventative maintenance performed by certified and trained technician. Your HVAC company will offer preventative maintenance checks to ensure your system is running well which can cut down on repairs and breakdowns, and in the end save you money.

3. Equipment shortages

One last way you may be impacted by the HVAC supply chain shortage is an equipment shortage. If your equipment is starting to age and you’ve been meaning to replace it eventually, now may be the time to get started.  Most HVAC companies are recommending ordering early so they can order and install before your heat or AC goes out when you need it most.

If you’ve been asking if the HVAC supply chain shortage can really affect you, now you have your answer. You can avoid the headaches of higher prices, repair delays, and equipment shortages by investing in preventative maintenance today. If you’re ready to extend the life of your system and avoid these issues, we’re ready to help.