A HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) is a very important part of any home. In fact, most of us could not do without one.
The average lifespan of a HVAC system is twelve to fifteen years. However, there are many factors that can affect how long a HVAC system remains operational.
An air conditioning system will do more than keep you warm when it is cold and vice versa. It will also affect the air quality in your home.
Extending the lifespan of the HVAC system will save you recurring bills and protect your investment.
The following are six tips to help you extend the lifespan of your HVAC system:
1. Regular Maintenance
The most important thing you need to do to extend the lifespan of your HVAC system is to regularly perform maintenance checks.
The price of a well-functioning HVAC that works for long is eternal vigilance.
You should call in a HVAC service professional every few months so that they can examine your air conditioning system.
They will conduct a conclusive check which will include testing for efficiency, finding worn out parts and any damage.
Such routine inspections are often ignored since many people do not fix things until they are broken.
However, these inspections will provide an opportunity to identify any issues and organize suitable air conditioner repair in Spokane, WA, or wherever you may be located, before the damage becomes even more serious.
You should also routinely check your HVAC system whenever you are inspecting your house.
You may not be able to conduct the test a professional would, but you may notice signs that are symptomatic of more serious damage like weird noises.
2. Clean the Ducts
A HVAC system typically has access to the outdoors when many elements can affect it.
There is plenty of dust, debris and other small materials that can enter the ducts of the HVAC system.
When such elements enter the ducts of the HVAC system, they pose serious dangers.
For starters, they will definitely affect the air quality inside your home.
If the air carries hazardous materials, it can lead to someone contracting an airborne disease in the house.
There are other contaminants that can negatively affect the house as well.
Many allergies that people have are caused or exacerbated by poor air quality.
Conditions such as asthma are very likely in a household with a poorly maintained HVAC system.
If you want to extend the lifespan of your HVAC system, then you need to clean the ducts at least once every year.
A licensed HVAC service professional should be able to do this.
It will prevent large debris in the ducts from causing structural damage to other components of the system.
3. Regularly Change Your Air Filters
The part of the HVAC system that is responsible for cleaning contaminants and purifying the air is the air filters.
They collect hazardous materials such as pollen, dirt, hair and other debris that can damage the integrity of the HVAC system.
The air filters have to be clean and unclogged for them to perform their job well.
Cleaning them will include removing the contaminants and ensuring the filter is as porous as possible to allow as much air as possible.
If the air filters are damaged, then you should completely replace them.
A common question homeowners ask is how often they should change their air filters and the best answer is that it depends on the damage they experience.
Some filters need to be replaced within thirty days while some can last for as long as six months.
A good rule of thumb is to replace them every ninety days. Another benefit of changing your filters regularly is that they increase the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Since the air circulation is increased due to lack of contaminants, the system uses much less energy to clean the dirty air.
4. Clean the Outdoor Unit
The vast majority of HVAC systems have an outdoor unit. That is the condenser which is usually placed near to your house.
The outdoor unit of the HVAC system is the most prone to contamination due to its exposure to the elements.
It is especially so if it is in an area with a lot of trees where much debris can fall into it.
Therefore, you need to clean the outdoor unit of your HVAC system often.
Every 90 days is a great rule of thumb to follow.
Vacuum out the coils and also the condenser’s enclosure.
You can also use a water house to spray the coil inside the condenser.
5. Make Repairs Immediately
If you want your HVAC system to have the longest life, you should always make repairs as soon as possible.
Just like your body, the longer you take to address damages, the harder it becomes to fix them.
If you notice that your home is no longer getting cooled or heated, do not wait until things return to normal.
Have a professional check it out and have them repair it as soon as they can.
A small issue such as a branch inside the HVAC system can cause a full structural breakdown if it is not repaired in time.
Furthermore, the sooner you fix issues with your HVAC system, the cheaper it will be to repair them.
Such issues will increase your utility bill as well. So, it also benefits your bank account.
6. Give it Some Downtime
All machines require some downtime. The more you run them, the more wear and tear they experience.
Therefore, if you want to extend the lifespan of your HVAC system, you should occasionally turn it off when you don’t need to use it.
That may include when you are going for vacation or simply leaving the house for extended periods.
You should refrain from using the HVAC system when you have other alternatives for example opening a window to cool the room.
The above tips are a great starting point if you want to extend the lifespan of your HVAC system.
They will all contribute to its longevity in one way or another.
The key is to be vigilant and to always keep an eye out for any issues affecting your HVAC system.
If you can take good care of your HVAC system, it will take good care of you for as long as possible.
