Here’s How to Help Your HVAC System Last Longer (Safely)
Your home’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system works hard all year long. You can’t expect it to last forever, but with good care a furnace often lasts 15 to 20 years, and an air conditioner or heat pump about 10 to 15 years. 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.
1. Schedule two HVAC tune-ups per year
Contact Gold Eagle Services to give your furnace or heat pump 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.
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 filter 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 nonstop? 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, replacing it is usually worth considering, because newer equipment is more energy efficient. But if you want to prolong the system as long as possible, sign up for a maintenance plan for your annual tune-ups and then ask the HVAC tech for their input on when to replace. 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 who service your system and get to where you can trust their input on when to replace your furnace or air conditioner. When that time comes, you can design your replacement system online with Build Your System, including heat pump and dual fuel options, before your in-home visit.
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.
Further reading from our Resource Center: How Long Does an AC Last in Central Texas?, Why Regular HVAC Maintenance Matters and What’s Included in an HVAC Tune-Up?.