7 Tips to Extend the Life of Your HVAC System

An HVAC unit helps to make your home more comfortable, but the system can be costly to replace. Instead, you want your HVAC to remain functional for several years. You can achieve this goal if you use specific maintenance tricks. 

Read on to discover these tips.

1. Ensure Proper Installation

Incorrect HVAC installation is a major cause of ventilation, cooling, and heating problems. These problems can significantly increase your energy bills, sometimes by as high as 30%. 

Poor installation can also cause some parts to wear out quickly and reduce the lifespan of your unit. The solution is to hire an HVAC expert to install the unit. The expert must be licensed, experienced, and insured.

2. Change the Filters Often

The HVAC filter blocks contaminants from entering the home. However, the filter can get dirty very easily and become less effective. Accumulation of contaminants, such as dirt, can make the filter work harder to purify the air.

Regular filter replacement is necessary to maintain high air purity. The good part is that most filters are affordable and easy to replace. 

3. Put the Outdoor Unit in the Shade

Split HVACs contain an outdoor system to provide cooling into the exterior sections of your house. However, you need to protect the outdoor unit from direct sun rays. One protection strategy is to position the unit in a shaded area.

If the shaded area is beneath or near a plant, ensure that the leaves and branches aren't too close to the unit. Close proximity to foliage can block effective airflow from the HVAC and force the unit to work harder. 

4. Keep the Vents Clear

Effective HVAC functionality requires clear vents. The vent can become obstructed if you place it in front of objects like tables. 

Such obstructions can force the HVAC to take longer to heat the room. When the unit works harder and longer, it may get worn-out quickly. 

5. Schedule Regular Maintenance

Regular HVAC maintenance is an excellent way to prevent heating problems. Ideally, an annual maintenance session can pinpoint emerging problems. Early identification allows for quick and cheap repairs before the problems can turn into costly repairs.

For instance, maintenance can focus on cleanups of interior mechanisms and refrigerants. Other actions can include the removal of dirt and debris from the filters. Since this process will involve taking the HVAC apart, you can hire a technician to do the maintenance. 

Regularly tuning up your HVAC system protects it from working too hard to cool your home. As a consequence, the unit is likely to last longer.

6. Maintain Consistent Temperatures

Your household occupants may each prefer different room temperatures. The different preferences will result in regular HVAC temperature adjustments. These adjustments can exert excess strain on the unit.

An automatic thermostat can be the solution to keep temperatures constant. All you have to do is program the thermostat to maintain a specific temperature at all times. Some smart thermostats even allow for the creation of zones with different temperatures in the same house. 

7. Limit Reliance on the HVAC

The HVAC is the main way to heat the house, but other options exist. The strategies include enhancing insulation through the use of thick curtains, smart blinds, and window films. This action allows the HVAC to work at a lower power setting and last longer.

Protect Your HVAC

If you want your HVAC to last longer, you need to take good care of it. One great way to take care of the unit is to work with Briarwood Heating & Cooling. 

We provide comprehensive HVAC services, including the repair and installation of HVAC units. Reach out to us to get a quote.