Blowing Hot and Cold: 4 Tips to Prolong the Life of Your HVAC system

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Heidi's HVAC Help, Ideas, Troubleshooting Tips and More

Hello, I am Heidi, and this is my blog devoted to HVAC issues, repair, troubleshooting, maintenance tips and more. Before you dive into my posts, let me introduce myself. I am a mum of three kids and married to an amazing husband. I used to work in the HVAC industry, but now I spend most of my time working as an editor from my house. I needed something that offered the flexibility of staying at home with my little ones, but I miss the hands-on nature of HVAC work. In this blog, I plan to post on a variety of HVAC related topics. If you have questions or concerns, I hope these posts help you.

Blowing Hot and Cold: 4 Tips to Prolong the Life of Your HVAC system

16 May 2016
 Categories: , Blog


Installing an HVAC system in your home requires a significant financial investment. However, with the average life span of 10 - 15 years, it is an investment that pays off. If you want to get the most out of your investment, there are several things you can do to prolong the life of your HVAC system.

Checking and Cleaning

You should check and clean your HVAC system twice a year, once in spring, before you need the cooling system in the summer, and once again in the autumn, before you need the heating system for winter. This will allow you to spot any issues and help to ensure the system runs smoothly.

Clean or Change Air Filters

If the air filters on your HVAC system become blocked with dust or debris, it can create additional strain as the system has to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. This can lead to damage to the blower motor. You should check filters at least once a month and clean away any dirt or debris you find. Doing so will reduce strain on the system and prolong its life.

Inspect the System

As well as inspecting the air filters, you should also pay attention to the rest of your HVAC system. You should pay particular attention to the heat pump and any parts of the system which are located outdoors, as these parts are particularly vulnerable to corrosion and wear and tear. You should also ensure that leaves and other debris do not build up on outdoor parts of the system.

Have a Break

While it might be tempting to run your heating and air conditioning system 24 hours a day, doing so places incredible strain on the working parts. You can prolong the life of the system by having scheduled breaks when you completely shut it down. One way of doing this is by installing a programmable thermostat, which will allow you to adjust the temperature or turn the system on and off when you are not at home. That way you don't need to run the system when no one is home, but you can make sure you return home to rooms which are at the perfect temperature.

While there is no way to guarantee the life of your HVAC system, these tips should help to keep your system running in an efficient manner, which will help to prolong its life and allow you to get the best return on your investment. If you have any concerns about your HVAC system, you should always have it inspected by a qualified HVAC technician.