5 Tips to Extend the Life of Your HVAC System

Your home’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Condition) system runs around the clock, 24/7, all year long. You can’t expect it to last forever.

Most furnaces last several years and depending on the model, you may get 15-20 years out of your furnace and 10-15 years out of your air conditioner. It’s a big investment to replace your furnace or air conditioner, so we have 5 tips for you to try to extend the life of your HVAC system.

#1 Schedule two HVAC tune-ups per year.

Contact Handyside to give your furnace a tune-up in the fall and your air conditioner a tune-up in the spring. This preventative maintenance usually includes an inspection, cleaning, lubrication, and any necessary adjustments.

#2 Change the air filter regularly.

Disposable fiberglass filters should be replaced every 30 days. Check your filter and furnace manual to see how often you should replace the filter. A dirty filter will make your HVAC system work harder to circulate air which can create extra wear on the system.

#3 Clean your ducts.

Be sure to keep your return air vents clean to help prevent build-up of dust and debris. You might want to have your ducts professionally cleaned by Handyside, 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 24/7? Can you turn it off when you’re on vacation? Or can you open windows on a cool evening and give your A/C the night off? You’ll be saving energy and giving your system a rest.

#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, it will still eventually need to be replaced, but when? If you are approaching your unit’s end-of-life, you can’t go wrong replacing it because you will save money with a new, more energy-efficient model. If you want to prolong your system as long as possible, contact Handyside for your annual tune-ups and ask your 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 our Handyside techs and trust their input on the best time to replace your furnace or air conditioner.

Summary

Take good care of your HVAC system and it may last longer than the average lifespan, but also know when to replace it before it becomes unreliable or inefficient.