No matter how old (or new) your home’s heating and cooling system may be, there are steps you can take to prolong its life. And when you consider that a new furnace or air conditioning unit can easily cost thousands of dollars, you’ll want to keep your current system running smoothly for as long as possible.
Keep Your Fan on Auto
Take a moment to check the fan setting on your thermostat. If it’s set to “on” rather than “auto,” this means it is continuously running. As you can probably imagine, this puts more wear and tear on the motor and can result in the need for premature replacement. Switch your fan setting to “auto” and cut down on premature wear.
Mind Your Landscaping
If you have tall grass, shrubs, or other plants growing around your air conditioner’s condenser unit, be sure to trim this back regularly. Otherwise, overgrown landscaping can obstruct the airflow of the condenser unit. This has the potential to cause costly problems and impact the efficiency of your air conditioning unit as well.
Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Are you still controlling your home’s heating and cooling with an “old-school” dial thermostat? If so, then it may be time to upgrade. A Wi-Fi-enabled or “smart” thermostat will give you the ability to not only program your home’s temperature settings but to control them remotely. This means you can use your HVAC system more efficiently while cutting down on unnecessary wear and tear.
Schedule Regular Tune-Ups
When was the last time your HVAC system had an inspection and tune-up? If it’s been more than six months, you’re overdue. A professional HVAC inspection and tune-up can ensure that your home’s heating and cooling systems are primed and ready to serve you all year-round. An inspection can also alert you to small issues that can be easily repaired now so you can avoid costly problems down the road and extend the life of your HVAC system.
Swap Out Air Filters
One of the easiest things you can do to reduce strain on your HVAC system is to simply swap out your air filter at least once every few months. This will also help to improve your indoor air quality so everybody can breathe a little easier.
A/C Designs is Here to Help
As you can see, there are many ways to extend the life of your HVAC system and save money down the road. While it’s true that you’ll still need to replace your furnace and air conditioning system if you’re in your home for long enough, these tips can help you get some additional months or even years out of your existing units.
When it comes time for repair, replacement, or maintenance, A/C Designs is ready to serve you. From diagnosing and repairing HVAC problems to performing regular inspections and tune-ups, we have you covered. We can also provide you with a no-obligation estimate on a new unit, so contact us today to schedule your appointment.