When they’re well-maintained, furnaces and air conditioner systems can last a long time. Sometimes during their system’s lifespan, homeowners will face unexpected costs, especially as components start wearing down. There are several strategies to extend your system’s lifespan and keep it running smoothly.
One of the top ways to keep your system up to snuff is by scheduling regular maintenance. If you’re looking for professional HVAC maintenance, look no further than the pros at River Valley. Click here to learn more about their available HVAC maintenance plans.
Change your air filters regularly
Your home’s air filters are designed to trap contaminants that enter and clog up your HVAC system from entering and clogging its components, so replacing your air filters frequently is one of the simplest and least costly ways you can extend its lifespan.
Air filters that become clogged prevent air from flowing freely through your system, leading to overheating and other costly problems. Energy Star recommends checking and changing out your air filter every three months and more frequently during peak usage periods like summer and winter. For homes with pets and residents with allergies, it may be beneficial to do this even more often than that.
Keeping your thermostat on automatic can help you save money and extend the lifespan of your HVAC system. Switching it on forces your system to work harder, shortening its lifespan and increasing overall wear and tear.
Inspect your insulation
Insulation is one of the best ways to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without overworking air conditioners or furnaces. Therefore, having enough insulation in your attic and having it inspected periodically are both vital steps to maintaining indoor comfort levels.
An insulation inspector will also look out for air gaps around windows and doors, electrical wiring, HVAC system connections and significant appliances – these gaps eat up energy and force HVAC systems to work harder than needed.
Your ductwork should also be professionally cleaned regularly to avoid leaks that would increase workload and shorten lifespan.
Install a programmable thermostat
Programmable thermostats can be something to consider if you want to upgrade your current HVAC system. With careful programming, they allow you to reduce unnecessary usage by only heating or cooling when you and your family members are present at home.
If your ductwork allows for zonating, a programmable thermostat may also come in handy because it will let you set different temperatures for various areas of your house according to your schedule and will help your HVAC system run more efficiently by minimizing wear and tear.
Leaving windows open and utilizing ceiling fans to move air are efficient ways to lessen the strain on your HVAC system. Restricting airflow is one thing that can wreak havoc on your system, causing the filters to clog faster, triggering it to overcompensate and, hence, shortening its lifespan.
Keep your furnace clean
Just like with your car, HVAC systems need regular service and cleaning in order to maintain peak performance and extend their effective lifespan. Without regular tune-ups, problems that could lead to system breakdown may go undetected and spring up unexpectedly later on.
Cleansing the blower assembly, fan and heat exchanger of your system will extend its working life. Using a vacuum with attachments to eliminate dust build-up across all components will improve its operation, and wiping down its blower wheel with a damp cloth can remove stubborn dirt build-up on its wheel.
Getting the right sized unit for your space
In addition to cleaning your unit, the proper sizing of your HVAC system for your home is also essential. You may assess your heating and cooling needs by working with a local HVAC specialist from KW furnace installation to complete a load calculation. This will save your energy costs and stop your furnace from working harder than it has to.
