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With the state’s hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters, every home in Billings, MT needs a functional HVAC system. Whether you use a furnace and air conditioner or have a heat pump for year-round climate control, you can expect approximately 15 to 20 years of reliable service. Fortunately, there are nine easy ways to extend the lifespan of your heating and cooling equipment while enjoying healthy indoor air quality (IAQ), minimal repairs, and efficient operation.
1. Pay for Professional HVAC Installation
To extend the lifespan of your HVAC system, start with proper installation. Working with a licensed HVAC company when selecting a new heat pump or AC will ensure that this unit is properly sized for its service area. When homeowners shop for heat pumps and air conditioners on their own, they often select model sizes based on square footage alone.
HVAC companies use a complex calculation known as the Manual J Load Calculation instead. In addition to total square footage, this calculation considers:
- Total living area
- Home layouts
- Window types, sizes, and locations
- Number of household residents
- Ceiling heights
HVAC companies also install new heating and cooling equipment according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Not only will hiring a licensed HVAC contractor extend the lifespan of your heat pump or AC, but it will also maintain the manufacturer’s warranty.
2. Perform Regular Air Filter Changes
Dirty air filters lie at the heart of many common HVAC problems. All the air that enters your HVAC system must pass through this component. Thick buildups of lint-like debris hinder airflow and cause operational stress. As a result, heaters and ACs must work both harder and longer to regulate temperatures and humidity. Maintaining a clean filter is an effective way to minimize ongoing wear. Best practices for standard air filter replacement include inspecting this component monthly and changing it every one to three months.
3. Tighten Your Home Envelope
You can minimize HVAC system stress, reduce wear, and extend the lifespan of your heating and cooling equipment by tightening your home envelope. Even a high-performing HVAC system will run longer-than-normal heating and cooling cycles if conditioned air seeps outside. Add weatherstripping to your windows and doors and seal up air leaks in building materials. You can also add new insulation, opt for insulating materials with higher R values and update your windows.
4. Maintain Your HVAC Air Ducts
Another way to reduce ongoing wear is to prevent or correct air duct leaks. It will take more effort and time for your HVAC system to heat and cool your home if leaky air ducts allow conditioned air to escape into your basement, crawl spaces, or other remote or low-lying areas. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), air ducts can lose up to 40% of an HVAC system’s heating and cooling energy. Schedule HVAC air duct insulating and sealing services to minimize these losses.
5. Take Great Care of Your Outdoor Unit
Heat pump and AC condensers need at least 24 inches of clearance on all sides, all the time. Regularly step outdoors to clear away loose, windblown debris. You can also cut back all shrubs, trees, grass, and other foliage that encroaches on your condenser’s clearance.
6. Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Irrespective of how they come about, reduced HVAC workloads lead to longer lifespans. Smart thermostats help on this front by optimizing temperature control. You can preset your smart thermostat to raise or lower its setting when you go to sleep or leave. As learning devices, smart thermostats become increasingly adept at optimizing their own settings for efficiency over time. These devices also send out helpful performance alerts, maintenance reminders, and filter change alerts.
7. Schedule Routine Maintenance
Schedule routine maintenance for all HVAC equipment types at least once each year. HVAC tune-ups reduce operational stress, improve efficiency, and contribute to healthy IAQ. From cleaning indoor and outdoor components and lubricating moving parts to optimizing fan speeds and calibrating thermostats, tune-ups prevent undue stress and minimize cumulative wear and tear.
8. Never Let Problems Fester
Schedule HVAC repairs at the very first signs of problems. If your heater, heat pump, or AC unit sounds louder than usual, costs significantly more to operate, or emits strange odors, have a seasoned HVAC technician inspect it. Timely interventions prevent minor problems from escalating and limit the risk of premature failure.
9. Purchase an HVAC Preventive Maintenance Plan
With covered, annual tune-ups and timely service reminders, HVAC preventative maintenance plans make staying on top of essential maintenance easy. They also offer additional perks, including priority scheduling for repairs and discounted parts and labor.
With more than 40 years of experience, Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC proudly serves Billings and the surrounding areas with expert HVAC services. We offer top-notch heating and cooling installation, maintenance, and repairs. We also provide a value-rich preventive maintenance plan. For help extending the lifespan of your HVAC system, get in touch with Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC today!
Today!
