With any big purchase, you want to make sure it lasts a long time. Although the average lifespan of an HVAC system is roughly 10-15 years, with proper care and maintenance, your heating and cooling system can last well beyond 20 years.
Large-cost purchases, like cars and HVAC systems, require ongoing maintenance to maintain warranties and keep the equipment running smoothly. Unfortunately, if your new heating and air conditioning units aren’t installed correctly, they might not last as long as the manufacturer claims they will.
If you add improper maintenance onto improper installation, you’ll be lucky if your HVAC system lasts 10 years. (Learn if you should replace your old furnace here.)
When you purchase a new heating and/or cooling system, do your due diligence when hiring a professional contractor. In addition to hiring the right heating and cooling contractor, there are several things you can do to extend the lifespan of your HVAC system:
1. Change the air filter
Depending on how often you use your furnace, you’ll want to replace your air filter every 30-90 days. In the winter and summer when you are using your heating and cooling system nearly every day, it’s important to check and change your air filter more frequently.
Dirty air filters clog up your unit and restrict airflow. Not only is this bad for your indoor air quality, but it will also increase repairs and decrease useful lifespans. Sometimes, a dirty air filter will even cause the unit to shut itself off (as a safety mechanism).
A good way to make sure you always have a clean air filter is to set calendar and phone reminders to inspect your air filter every 30 days. Every month, remove the air filter from its chamber and hold it up to the light to see if any light passes through. If you can see light pass through the air filter, you should be good to go. If, on the other hand, your air filter looks dirty and restricts the light waves from passing through the filter, it’s time for a filter change. It’s better to replace your air filter sooner rather than later.
Make sure you have plenty of backup air filters on hand so you can quickly replace them. It’s also a good idea to write the date of replacement on the air filter itself.
2. Schedule 2 Annual HVAC Tune-Ups Per Year (Cooling in the Spring, Heating in the Fall)
Many homeowners don’t know that they will void their manufacturer’s warranty if they fail to regularly maintain their HVAC equipment. The manufacturers of HVAC equipment know how important annual maintenance is and so should you.
Like your car, the heating and cooling equipment used to provide conditioned air to your home needs some love and care in order to operate safely and efficiently.
The best way to make sure that you get your required annual maintenance done is by signing up for a Maintenance Plan that automates these annual appointments for you. Most home maintenance plans also come with other benefits, such as priority service and exclusive deals and discounts.
3. Fix Air Leaks and Control Humidity
While there are plenty of ways you can inspect and improve the insulation and ventilation in your home, the quickest and easiest way is to speak with your trusted HVAC technician on the matter.
Air leaks in your ductwork and other places in your home will make your furnace work a lot harder than it has to.
For more information on how to extend the lifespan of your home’s furnace, contact OnTime Service, your local furnace professionals.
Additional Resources:
- WINTER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS & HOW TO AVOID THEM
- WHY YOU NEED A FALL FURNACE TUNE-UP NOW
- THE DANGERS OF DO-IT-YOURSELF (DIY) FURNACE REPAIR
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Call OnTime Service at 205-942-1405 or contact us online to schedule your HVAC, electrical, and plumbing inspections.
Our experienced team of technicians is fully trained to handle any heating system. As always, we will troubleshoot your home and give you straightforward pricing options before any work begins.
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