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5 Tips to Extend the Life of Your HVAC System (and Prevent Costly Repairs)

We get it. Your HVAC system (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) is a big investment, and you want it to last as long as possible. Depending on the model, you may get 15-20 years out of your furnace and 10-15 out of your air conditioner if you maintain them well.  After all, most homes’ HVAC systems run around the clock, 365 days a year – it’s important to make sure you’re having regular maintenance to ensure yours is running safely, efficiently, and has a long lifespan. So here are 5 tips to help you extend the life of your HVAC System.

1. Schedule two HVAC check-ups per year 

Contact a home services company (we know someone!) to give your furnace a check-up in the fall and your air conditioner a check-up in the spring. This preventative maintenance usually includes a good inspection, cleaning, lubrication and any necessary adjustments. 

Shameless Plug Alert: BOSS Services’ Total Home Care Club offers members an Air Conditioning and Plumbing check-up in the spring and a Furnace and Electrical check-Up in the fall, plus 10% overall member discount, free service fees, priority scheduling, and thousands of dollars in coupons!  Click here to learn more:

2. Change the air filter regularly 

Disposable fiberglass filters should be replaced every 30 days, but check your filter and furnace manual to see how often you should be replacing the filter. A dirty filter will make your HVAC system work harder to circulate air and that can cause extra wear on the system. 

3. Clean your ducts 

Be sure to keep the return air vents clean to prevent the build-up of dust and debris. You might also want to have your ducts professionally cleaned so that your system is delivering the cleanest air possible. 

4. Give the HVAC system a break sometimes 

Getting out of Southwest Michigan for a vacation? Time away from home is the perfect opportunity for you and your system to take a break. Looking ahead, when the weather is mild again, turning your system off and maybe cracking a window open can help not only to save energy but also give your system some rest.

5. Upgrade your insulation 

The better your home is insulated, the less your HVAC system will need to run to maintain the temperature. The first place to check for sufficient insulation is your attic. 

When to Replace Your HVAC System 

Eventually, even with regular maintenance, you will have to bid farewell to your HVAC system. But how do you know when it’s ready to be replaced? If your system is getting close to the age of retirement and you’re noticing higher energy bills and the inability to heat or cool rooms consistently, it’s probably time to replace it with a new, more energy efficient system. 

But if you want to prolong the system as long as possible, connect with a reliable home services company for your annual check-ups and ask the HVAC tech for their input on when they think it’s ready to be replaced. Be honest with them about the maintenance you’ve carried out on the unit—even if that means you haven’t replaced an air filter in months or had a check-up in years. Hopefully, you’ve found a reputable home services company with HVAC techs you can trust to tell you the truth abour when to replace your furnace or air conditioner. 

Summary 

Take good care of your HVAC system and it could very well last longer than the average lifespan, but also know when to replace it before it becomes unreliable or so inefficient that it’s costly or unsafe to keep it running. If you’re unsure of your older system’s current condition, ask us a question below, and we’re happy to help assess the situation!

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