Your home’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Condition) 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. For more details on how long you can expect your furnace to last, read our guide.
1. Schedule two HVAC
tune-ups per year
Contact a home services company to give your furnace a tune-up in the fall and your air conditioner a tune-up in the spring. This preventative maintenance usually includes a good inspection, cleaning, lubrication and any necessary adjustments. (Save $20 on a Tune Up)
2. Change the air
filter regularly
Disposable fiberglass 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 filer will make your HVAC system work harder to circulate air
and that can cause extra wear on the system.
3. Clean your ducts
Be sure to keep the return air vents clean and prevent the build-up of dust
and debris. You might also want to have your ducts professionally cleaned so
that your system is delivering the cleanest air possible.
4. Give the HVAC
system a break sometimes
Does your HVAC system really need to be running almost 24/7? Can you give
it a break when you’re on vacation? On a cool evening could you open the
windows and give the a/c the night off? You’ll be saving energy and giving the
system a break.
5. Upgrade your
insulation
The better your home is insulated, the less your HVAC system will need to
run to maintain the temperature. The first place to check for sufficient
insulation is your attic.
When to Replace Your
HVAC System
Even if you follow these tips and take good care of your HVAC system, eventually it will need to be replaced, but when? If you’re approaching the projected end of life for the unit, you can’t go wrong replacing it because you will be saving money with the new, more energy efficient replacement. But if you want to prolong the system as long as possible, contract with a reliable home services company for your annual tune-ups and then ask the HVAC tech for their input on when to replace. If you’re unsure, here are signs your furnace may need repair or even replacement. Be honest with them about the maintenance you’ve carried out on the unit—even if that means confessing that sometimes you didn’t replace the air filter for a season or two. Hopefully you can get to know the techs from the home services company and get to where you can trust their input on when to replace your furnace or air conditioner.
Summary
Take good care of your HVAC system and it may well last longer than the average lifespan, but also know when to replace it before it becomes unreliable or so inefficient that it’s costly to keep it running. If your system is already struggling, find out what to replace it with for optimal performance and efficiency.
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Tags: Air Conditioning Service, Heating, HVAC, Tips, Tune Up
Posted in Air Conditioning, Heating | Comments Off on 5 Tips to Extend the Life of Your HVAC System (& 1 Tip on When to Replace It)
