Ways to Extend the Life of an HVAC System
Your HVAC system is one of your home’s most important features, and no one wants their unit to break down prematurely. While modern HVAC systems can be incredibly durable, they must withstand a lot of use and abuse. Luckily, with a little bit of preventative maintenance and some professional help, you can rest assured that your HVAC system will continue to run flawlessly for many years to come.
Schedule Regular Tune-Ups
One of the best things you can do for your heating and cooling system is to schedule regular tune-ups. While every system is slightly different, we usually suggest that our clients schedule at least two service calls per year. During those appointments, we can thoroughly inspect every single inch of your system to ensure that it is running smoothly and there is no damage. A team member will also test the thermostat, clean the coils and lubricate all the moving parts.
Do Not Forget to Change the Air Filters
It is an unfortunate fact that many homeowners do not change their air filters for months at a time, and that can lead to some serious problems. In addition to impacting your home’s indoor air quality, clogged filters are going to put quite a bit of strain on the HVAC system’s motor. To replace your air filter, all you have to do is locate the air return duct, open the metal door and remove the old filter. When you are putting in the new filter, you should make sure that the arrows properly align with the direction of the airflow.
Inspect and Clean the Outdoor Condenser
Your HVAC technician is going to carefully look over your condenser during your biannual service calls, but you should also check that component in between those appointments. As a general rule, the outdoor unit needs to be cleaned and inspected at least once a month. During the inspection, you should look for issues such as frayed wires, rotting hoses and bent fins on the outside of the unit. If the condenser is surrounded by trees or bushes, you might also want to trim those once a month so that no branches are within a few feet of the equipment.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
Over the last few years, smart thermostats have exploded in popularity, and one of those units could greatly increase the lifespan of your heating and cooling system. A smart thermostat is basically a wireless computer that can be controlled from anywhere in the world with a mobile app. It is going to slowly learn your family’s habits and preferences over time, and it will begin to automatically adjust the indoor temperature depending on who is home and what time of day it is. A smart thermostat can also alert you when some type of maintenance is needed.
Use the “Auto” Fan Setting
Keeping the HVAC system’s fan running at all times might seem like a good way to keep air circulating throughout your house, but that setting could push the motor to its limit. Just like any other mechanical device, your HVAC blower needs downtime so that it can cool off. When it is left on indefinitely, it will produce an incredible amount of heat, and that can result in serious damage. Putting the fan on “auto” is going to give the motor a little bit of downtime throughout the day.
Replace Old Insulation
No matter what steps you take to protect and maintain your HVAC system, it could become damaged if your residence isn’t properly insulated. Modern insulation should last for quite some time, but that material will need to be replaced at some point. That is why most experts agree that you should check your insulation once or twice a year. If the insulation is matted, torn or damaged in any way, it should be replaced entirely. You also have the option of spraying blow-in cellulose insulation over the existing insulation to further improve your home’s efficiency.
Call Us Today for Affordable HVAC Maintenance
The team here at Nacogdoches Sheet Metal, Plumbing & Air Conditioning, LTD. has been proudly serving the greater Nacogdoches area for more than 60 years, and we would love to assist you with all your HVAC needs. In addition to HVAC maintenance and repairs, we can help you with plumbing services, sheet metal fabrication and water filtration systems. Call us today to speak with one of our knowledgeable and friendly team members.