Your heating and air conditioning system is an essential and expensive appliance. Taking good care of it can extend its lifespan. Well-maintained air conditioners and furnaces can last between 15 and 20 years, depending on how well you care for them. Neglecting maintenance, waiting to make repairs, and using extreme thermostat settings can shorten the life of your climate control system. Here are five tips to help you extend the service life of your heating and cooling system.
1. Keep Filters Clean
Air conditioning filters trap airborne pollutants and prevent them from flowing into ducts, over coils, and into the living space. Consistently dirty filters are a potential cause of HVAC system failure. It also wastes energy. According to the Department of Energy, keeping filters clean can reduce the amount of energy an air conditioner uses by as much as 15%. Clean filters optimize performance, air quality, and efficiency.
Clogged filters impede airflow, making the compressor run longer to produce conditioned air. It may also trigger short cycling. Instead of running long enough to reach the set temperature and extract moisture from the air, the system stops and starts more frequently. This frequent cycling affects comfort and strains the compressor, blower, fans, and other components. Increased strain, restricted airflow, and excessive wear and tear shorten the equipment’s lifespan.
Air flowing over the evaporator coils enables heat transfer and removes moisture. A dirty air filter usually allows particulates to pass into the system. Pollutants that settle on coils create an insulation barrier that affects heat transfer and the ability to moderate humidity. This coating makes the system work harder to heat and cool the air, which increases energy use and shortens the system’s service life.
Dirty filters also allow pollutants to enter the living space. Dust, animal dander, pollen, and other particulates can create health problems or aggravate existing health conditions. Upgrading to higher efficiency filters and keeping them clean enhances indoor air quality. Filters should be cleaned or replaced at least every three months. If you have pets or live in an area with poor air quality, examine filters monthly and clean them as needed.
2. Keep Outside Housing and Components Clean
The outside unit of your HVAC system or heat pump houses the condenser coil, fans, and compressor. The condenser coil contains a refrigerant that absorbs the heat collected from inside your house during the refrigeration process and releases it outside. The outdoor coil must have proper airflow and be kept clean to perform efficiently. Check the housing of the outside unit periodically. Clear leaves, grass cuttings, and other debris from the housing. Also, prune nearby trees and bushes. Have at least two feet of clearance around all sides of the cabinet to allow air to flow freely.
3. Schedule Professional Tune-Ups
Professional maintenance can improve energy efficiency, performance, and comfort and help assure a longer service life. During a tune-up, technicians conduct a comprehensive check of the system. Fall maintenance focuses on the heating system, and spring maintenance focuses on the air conditioner. Technicians clean and calibrate every part, ensuring the system performs safely and efficiently.
Technicians will check refrigerant levels, clean coils, and clean the air filter. They also clean the condensate system, check electrical connections, and ensure it cycles properly. They will examine the outside cabinet, clean the condenser coils, and lubricate fans and other moving parts.
Professional maintenance provides the opportunity to find and resolve problems early, which will increase performance and extend the service life. Maintenance lowers the probability of breakdowns and the need for costly repairs. Most manufacturers require installation and maintenance by professionals to keep warranties valid.
4. Ways to Improve Energy Efficiency
Summer heat and humidity in the Metro Atlanta area make air conditioners work harder. Continuous use and frequent startups contribute to wear and tear. Energy-saving upgrades lower energy bills, keep you more comfortable in your home, and lower the load on your HVAC system, which helps it last longer. Here are some ways to reduce the strain on your HVAC system.
Upgrade Insulation, Caulk, and Weatherstrips
Adding insulation to attics, walls, and floors reduces the amount of radiant and conductive heat coming into your home, which reduces the load on your air conditioner. Weatherstripping around doors and windows prevents drafts and enhances comfort. Caulking around pipes, electrical conduits, and places utilities enter your home limits air infiltration.
Landscape for Energy Efficiency
Use vegetation and landscaping to help cool your home in the summer and add heat in the winter. Roof temperatures can reach 150 degrees F in the summer. Well-placed trees can reduce household energy usage by as much as 25%. Deciduous trees provide shade that can lower temperatures around them by 25 degrees. Planting bushes, shrubs, and ground cover around the perimeter of a building can lower the ground temperature by 9 degrees. Cooler air around the building reduces the heat absorbed by walls, or that enters through windows. West- and south-facing walls receive the most sunlight. Shading these walls, driveways, and other paved areas reduces the amount of heat radiation, which cools the air around a building.
Passive solar gain in the winter helps your heating system. Trees that shed leaves allow the sun to heat the roof and building envelope during the winter. Trees can also serve as a windbreak, reducing heating costs by up to 25%.
5. Work With an Experienced, Reputable HVAC Contractor
An experienced, reputable HVAC contractor can help you maintain your heating and cooling system. According to the Department of Energy, proper installation, sizing, and maintenance are key to HVAC performance. Studies show that approximately half of all HVAC systems are improperly sized and installed.
Oversized systems cycle frequently, which can affect comfort. Rooms may feel clammy or stuffy. Undersized systems run for longer periods, which can overtax the compressor. Both oversized and undersized equipment will not provide the comfort needed, may require frequent repairs, and may cause a shorter service life.
Precision Heating & Air is a full-service HVAC company based in Dallas, Georgia. We offer new installations, repairs, and maintenance services for all brands and types of heating and cooling systems. We use industry standards to properly size the systems we install and back our installations with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.
We are a Trane Comfort Specialist, an honor given to select contractors. We adhere to Trane’s stringent technological and customer service requirements. Our technicians undergo extensive training on Trane equipment, enabling us to offer state-of-the-art technological expertise.
In addition to new installations and maintenance services, we offer duct cleaning, which removes contaminants from ducts, improves airflow, and can extend the life of your system. Our indoor air quality services help keep the indoor air fresh. Our services also include humidity control, ventilation, and air purification. For more information about maintaining your HVAC system, call Precision Heating & Air today and ask us about our annual maintenance plans that offer additional savings.
