5 Tips On How To Extend Your HVAC System’s Life

Your home’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system runs ’round the clock, 24/7, all year long. You can’t expect it to last forever, but you can expect your furnace to last for about several years—depending on the model, you may get 15-20 years out of your furnace and 10-15 years out of your air conditioner. It’s a big investment to replace your furnace or air conditioner, so we have five tips for you to try to extend the life of your HVAC system and maybe save on your energy bills along the way.

1. Schedule Two HVAC Tune-ups Per Year

Contact a home services company to give your furnace a tune-up in the early fall and your air conditioner a tune-up in the spring. This preventative maintenance usually includes an inspection, cleaning, lubrication, and any necessary adjustments.

Part of a tune-up includes an inspection of the many moving parts to ensure they are working correctly. Some parts such as the condensate drain, refrigerant levels, and the condenser, are important to check out in a cooling system tune-up. Most of the time, there is a condenser cleaning involved as well. When it comes to your heat pump, the heat exchanger is what’s most often checked to ensure there aren’t any cracks or damages. 

Regular maintenance on your HVAC units will help HVAC technicians notice any issues or major signs of damage early on so they can make any necessary repairs or modifications before your HVAC system breaks down completely. Regular maintenance will also perform optimization tips to help increase your airflow and increase your systems’ energy efficiency. It’s recommended that homeowners have routine maintenance scheduled through an HVAC company that automatically schedules and plans for tune-ups in the fall and spring.

2. Change the Air Filter Regularly

Disposable fiberglass HVAC filters should be replaced every 30 days, but check your filter and furnace manual to see how often you should be replacing the filter. A dirty filter will make your HVAC system work harder to circulate air, and that can cause extra wear on the system.

3. Clean Your Ductwork

Be sure to keep the return air vents clean and prevent the build-up of dust, debris, and other contaminants. You might also want to have a professional duct cleaning so that your system is delivering the cleanest air possible to ensure the indoor air quality in your home.

4. Increase Your Insulation

The better your home is insulated, the less your HVAC system will need to run to maintain the temperature. If you feel like you constantly have to adjust the thermostat throughout the day, then your home may lack proper insulation. The first place to check for sufficient insulation is your attic. Depending on what kind of insulation is used in your home, it’s best to call an HVAC technician to determine if you have enough insulation and give recommendations to maintain your desired temperature.

5. Give the HVAC system a Break Sometimes

Your HVAC System should not run 24/7. Having an AC unit or furnace run nonstop will cause you more HVAC maintenance and larger utility bills in the long run. If you’re going on vacation, use a programmable thermostat to turn your HVAC system off while you’re away. If it’s a cool evening, open some windows to let in the cool air, turn on the ceiling fans and shut off your conditioned air for the night.

They now make smart thermostats that allow you to control your HVAC system from your phone. If you’re away on vacation and leave your outdoor unit running, you have the accessibility to turn it off and have an energy-saving vacation.

Summary

It’s simple. If you take good care of your HVAC system, then it may last longer than the average lifespan. If you don’t have any tune-ups, never change the filter, keep your ductwork dirty, maintain poor insulation, and leave it on 24/7, you will have to replace it sooner than the average lifespan. As a homeowner, it’s good to know when to replace your AC unit or furnace before it becomes unreliable or so inefficient that it’s costly to keep it running. 

When you need trusted HVAC technicians for your tune-ups, duct cleaning, or other HVAC services, you can count on Xcalibur Services! Schedule your tune-up today and see why Xcalibur Services is the choice for home service!

Published: June 24th, 2020