For most Americans, air conditioning is as essential to a home as running water and flushing toilets. In fact, most Americans use their HVAC system daily, with the cost of heating and cooling making up around 55 percent of the average home’s energy bill.
At that pace, you can’t expect your HVAC unit to last forever. But do you have any idea how to increase your HVAC system lifespan and ensure that it continues to function well for as long as possible?
Luckily, increasing the lifespan of a HVAC unit isn’t as complicated as you might think. Keep reading to learn how!
Change the Filter
Many people fail to change the filter on their HVAC system often enough, even though it’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to extend a HVAC lifespan. Make sure to change the filter every three months to keep your system working at its best. With a dirty filter, your unit has to work extra hard to circulate the air, reducing its chances of a long lifespan.
Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
A typical HVAC lifespan is 15 to 20 years for your air conditioner, and the full 20 years for your furnace. But your system will only survive that long if you schedule regular HVAC maintenance.
At least twice a year, you should have your HVAC contractors inspect, clean, and tune-up your system to make sure it’s working well. Schedule the AC maintenance at the start of spring and get your furnace checked in early fall.
Don’t Put Off Repairs
While regular maintenance can increase your HVAC unit’s lifespan, problems like strange smells, noises, leaks, or airflow changes can still arise. And if they do, acting fast is always the smartest choice. Waiting too long to get repairs done can mean facing bigger problems down the road, or the very real AC replacement cost of up to $4,000.
What’s more, the hottest and coldest months are often busiest for HVAC contractors. Failing to act on early signs might mean that you might have to sweat it out in August or freeze in January waiting for repairs you should have had done months ago.
Keep the Condenser Clean
You’ll find your HVAC unit’s condenser outside your home. Make sure to check it on a regular basis for weather damage, and to keep it clean by removing debris such as grass and leaves. You should also avoid blocking the condenser with lawn ornaments or overgrown plants since it needs space for effective air circulation.
How to Increase Your HVAC System Lifespan
Following these preventative measures are some of the best ways to prolong your HVAC system lifespan.
And, once you get into a regular routine of filter changes, cleaning parts, maintenance checks, and responding to repairs as soon as possible, the immediate payoff will be less worrying about the possibility of needing a total replacement anytime soon.
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