Tips for Extending the Life of Your HVAC System
You run your HVAC system all day and all night, just about every day, all throughout the year. With that much use, it simply cannot last forever. On average, air conditioners last 12-15 years and furnaces can last up to 20 years. If you stay put in one house, it is likely that your system will need replacing. This is one of the more expensive home replacements you’ll experience as a homeowner. Delaying this replacement as long as possible, though it is inevitable, is ideal. To extend the life of your HVAC system, be sure to follow these tips.
1. Routine Maintenance
Just like you, your car and other major appliances in your home, your HVAC system requires regular, routine maintenance. Each year, your AC unit and furnace should each be inspected, cleaned, and tuned up. Ideally, your AC unit tune-up is scheduled for spring and your furnace tune-up should be scheduled in the fall—just before regular usage. Doing regular check-ups ensures optimal efficiency and allows any issues to be discovered.
2. Swap Out Old Filters
Yes, the technician that performs your routine tune-ups will check your filters during your routine maintenance, but you should be checking them regularly too. Many homeowners use a 30-day fiberglass filter or a 3-month pleated filter. As soon as they become dirty, they should be replaced—scheduled or not. Your HVAC system has to work much harder to circulate air through your house if your filters are dirty. When your system doesn’t have to work as hard, it’s able to last longer.
3. Beef Up Your Insulation
Are your utility bills incredibly high? Are there rooms in your home that are too warm in the summer or too cold in the winter? Chances are the insulation in the exterior walls of your home are insufficient. It could be time to upgrade your insulation. The better the insulation, the less you’ll need to run your HVAC system.
4. Cool and Heat Your Home in Other Ways
Give your AC unit a break this summer by using your ceiling fans and blackout shades to block the sun’s warm rays from heating your house. Let your furnace rest this winter by layering your clothing, using extra blankets, and keeping your blinds open to allow the sun’s warmth into your home.
5. Keep an Eye on Your Condenser
Your AC condenser is somewhere outside your home. Yes, it was built to handle mother nature, but it can become damaged by her wrath. Hail, debris, and vegetation growth can cause serious damage to your condenser. Be sure to check on it regularly, especially after a large storm. Be sure to clear away any weeds, leaves, and other debris you find.
6. Upgrade Your Technology
Today’s technology and today’s smart thermostats have energy-saving settings for your HVAC system. You can control your system from anywhere using an app on your phone or tablet. Some models are so smart they can learn your HVAC habits and preferences without programming anything at all.
