Tips To Increase the Lifespan of Your HVAC System

Make the Most of That New HVAC System

If you do online research concerning how long an air conditioner (AC) functions, the most common answer is 15 to 20 years. However, with proper maintenance and a little help, your new HVAC System could last for as long as 30 years.

If you recently purchased a new HVAC System and had it installed, you know replacement is hard on the budget. Follow these tips to lengthen the viable years of your HVAC System and give yourself more years to plan for replacement.

Proper HVAC System Sizing is Key

Avoid replacing your AC with a unit of the same size, assuming it is the correct option. Your HVAC professional will take measurements and gather information, analyze your home and make a recommendation that matches your home’s criteria and use.

• Air conditioners are not “one-size-fits-all.” A 1,500 sq ft house does not have the same needs as a 4,000 sq ft house.
• The analysis will consider any changes you have made to the house in the 20 years and compensate.
• A new analysis will also factor in new technology options that were not available 20 years ago.

A properly sized AC system will cycle correctly to maximize efficiency and keep you comfortable all summer long. The time spent on analysis will help your AC professional recommend the proper unit, making his job easier and improving customer satisfaction for years to come.

Start Smart

Programmable thermostats are replacing the round, analog thermostats of years gone by. Make sure to select the smart thermostat option and learn to use it well. Smart thermostats connect to the internet and can be controlled by an app on your smartphone. Here are a few fun options:

• It learns as you use it. It remembers your programmed schedules and gives you reminders if something changes.
• Since it is connected to the internet, it can give weather alerts and allow you to make adjustments on-the=fly.
• It can monitor AC efficiency and give you notice should a component need attention.

The greatest value is allowing you to program your cool cycles to maximize comfort when you need it and save energy whenever you can.

Take HVAC System Maintenance Seriously

You would never dream of dropping oil changes on your car or driving on a tire with low air pressure. From the beginning schedule an annual preventative maintenance visit with your AC technician; this is the single greatest stress reliever for your AC system.

A technician will ensure the dust that accumulates inside the components is cleaned before it can reduce harm to sensors or electrical components. Small problems will be detected before they become large, expensive problems. Preventative maintenance will reduce wear on your unit and extend its lifespan.

Wrap Up

Actually, your AC system is a part of a whole-house system. If your house is drafty, due to poor attic insulation, poorly fitting windows, or gaps around the doors, the gaps allow the cool air to escape and the heat to rush in. This makes the AC must work harder to provide the comfort you expect.

Any time you can add the appropriate insulation and close gaps, either by replacing windows/doors or weatherproofing them as needed, you will improve AC efficiency. By improving efficiency, you will add years to the life of your air conditioner.

HVAC System Seasonal Filters

Your air conditioner’s worst nightmare is a dirt filter. Filters plan such an important role in cleaning the air you breath and keeping your house free of harmful particles in the air. Good filters remove as much as 99% of dust, pollen, mold spores, and dander from the air inside your house.

However, the trapped particles build up on the filter and if not changed regularly it impedes the flow of air into the blowers. The whole system must work harder because of the dirty filter, reducing efficiency, putting stress on system components, and costing more in energy bills. Here are some tips:

• Buy quality filters. Find High-Efficiency Particle Air filters (HEPA) if possible.
• Set reminders to change filters. The recommended span is three months, so time the filter changes with the change in seasons.

Consider a Dehumidifier

While your AC is running, it is cleaning the air, cooling the air against the summer heat, and dehumidifying the air, making it drier. Taking moisture out of the air contributes to the comfort of the home.

Matter of fact, there are some transition days in the spring and fall that are pleasant in temperature, but the humidity is still too much.

Consider a dehumidifier for those days or weeks and reduce the necessity for running the AC. Dehumidifiers are relatively inexpensive and cheaper to operate than AC systems. The same technology is used to remove the moisture from the air, so make sure you empty the tank often.

Think Your HVAC System Is Ready for Replacement?

To increase the life of your HVAC system, we’re happy to evaluate the equipment to determine if you need repairs or if you need to replace your AC system. Give us a call today.

Call Doctor Cool & Professor Heat today at 281-338-8751 or email Doctor Cool for tips about Lowering Energy Bills during the intense South Texas heat of the Summer.