If you take quality care of your HVAC system, it will last much longer than anticipated. It isn’t unheard of for air conditioners and furnaces to last years beyond their average lifespans. With effective care, maintenance, and smart strategies that increase efficiency, you could extract a few more years of service from your HVAC system!
Here Are Top Ways to Extend the Life of Your HVAC System-
Buy an Annual Maintenance Contract
Your HVAC system will suffer from reduced energy efficiency if any damage or repair requirement goes undetected. This might also gradually increase utility bills. We recommend having licensed professionals visit and provide preventative maintenance services for your HVAC system twice annually.
General maintenance may include:
• checking the drain pan and drainage system
• vacuuming the blower compartments
• flushing the coils
• measuring the refrigerant levels in the a/c unit
• evaluating the furnace operation
• checking the motor voltage and wiring
Clean the Condensing Unit
Air conditioners usually have a condensing unit or heat pump sitting outdoors with a fan on top to dispel the summer heat. The metallic fins on the condensing unit get clogged with grime, pollen, and dirt. Every season, spray the HVAC unit with a water hose. Warning: Do not pressure wash because a high PSI water force will permanently damage the unit!
Check Home Insulation & Ducts
The better your home is insulated, the lesser the HVAC system will run to maintain the temperature. Keep the air vents clean and prevent dust and debris build-up. Choose to have your ducts professionally cleaned so that the HVAC delivers the purest air possible. Make sure the ductwork is sealed properly so that it doesn’t leak any hot or cool air. We recommend that your ductwork be insulated using thick duct insulation material. You should fix visual leaks with special duct-sealing tape, but be sure a professional also checks the ductwork during his next scheduled maintenance visit.
Visually Inspect & Create Clearance around the Unit
Rake the leaves and remove overgrown vegetation that blocks the air flowing from your outdoor unit. You can also trim away bushes and remove trees so that your HVAC unit has about 2 feet of clearance on all sides. Keep a watching eye for bushes or trees that give off excessive pollen, such as Cottonwood trees. They are infamous for clogging up condensing units. The HVAC unit should have enough space and clear surroundings that do not affect it while it’s running.
It is smart to invest in your home’s central heating and cooling system. With the help of certified professionals, you can keep a solid check on your HVAC and elongate its life. With luck, you may be able to catch problems before they become serious inconveniences demanding replacement!
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