Your HVAC unit is one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home, which is why it’s essential to make sure it’s working to its fullest capacity for as long as possible.

Regular maintenance is essential if you want your HVAC system to remain in good operating condition for as long as it can. However, there are many things that you need to know to do this properly.

Schedule One or Two Yearly Tune-Ups

Regular maintenance is vital in the extension of your HVAC system’s life. Naturally, that doesn’t mean that you need to do it every week or month – once or twice per year is more than enough. The best time to have your HVAC serviced is before the start of summer and winter, which are the seasons when your HVAC works the most.

Trained professionals should perform tune-ups because the HVAC unit is a complicated piece of equipment that can easily be damaged by untrained hands. It usually involves things like thorough inspection, cleaning of parts, replacing filters, and more.

Make Sure There Is No Obstruction of the Air Flow

The central part of every HVAC system is the duct vents that circulate air around the house. For that reason, they must have unrestricted airflow. This means that you need to make sure these vents and ducts are never blocked by furniture or anything else that can hinder the air circulation.

Furthermore, ducts need to be cleaned as well. Over time, dirt, dust, and other debris will accumulate inside. This causes the HVAC unit to work harder to circulate as much air as it usually does, and that subsequently can lead to the system breaking down. It’s thus necessary for you to clean the ducts once a year with a vacuum cleaner or a piece of cloth.

Pro tip: Remember that parts of the system are also on the outside and that these parts need to be cleaned as well.

Regularly Change the Filters

If you heed our advice about regular tune-ups, you’ll get a new filter each time a professional services your system. However, if you’re using disposable fiberglass filters or pleated filters, know that these only last one month to three months, respectively. You’ll have to change them regularly as dirty or used-up air filters will make the HVAC system work harder than usual, reducing its overall longevity.

Check the Status of Your Condenser

Most HVAC systems have a condenser for the air conditioner. The part is usually located on the outside and designed to withstand harsh weather. However, it can still get damaged by severe weather, which is becoming more common.

For these reasons, it’s a good idea to check the status of the condenser after every major storm. It will only take a few minutes of your time, and it will ensure that your HVAC is functioning adequately.

The Bottom Line

All in all, to extend the life of your HVAC unit, you mostly need to make sure it’s always working at 100% by doing regular maintenance. By doing that and heeding the advice of trained professionals like Frederick Air, your HVAC unit is very likely to last more than you previously expected. If you require further help or tune-ups, feel free to contact us.