Your HVAC system is designed to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and if you’re lucky, it will never let you down! The system has other functions though, such as helping maintain your home’s air quality and the moisture balance of your home, and while you may not realize how it is helping these thing, you will certainly notice if the system starts to fail. We have compiled a short list of things that every homeowner should know about their HVAC system.
How long should your HVAC system last?
Most HVAC systems will last from 15 to 25 years, but there are a variety of factors that can affect that estimate. Quality and consistency of regular maintenance, local climate, and usage tendencies can increase or decrease the life of your system. And of course, even with proper HVAC maintenance and small repairs, eventually even the best boilers, furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioners will begin to fail over time.
How can I increase my home’s energy efficiency?
The biggest way to increase your home’s energy efficiency is often to replace your HVAC system and upgrade to one of the newer, highly efficient models on the market, especially if your system is already nearing the end of it’s expected lifetime. If that sounds like a drastic and expensive first step, it might help to know that the average homeowner is overpaying on their energy bills by an estimated 25-50%.
Additionally, making sure your home is well insulated will increase efficiency for your unit. By properly insulating your home and your HVAC system’s ducting, these is less of a chance of air escaping, so the unit will not have to work as hard to heat and cool your home.
Another smart upgrade for your home is to invest in programmable thermostats. With one of these thermostats, you can set your HVAC to not work as hard during the day when no one is home, while also having the thermostat automatically change to a more pleasant temperature shortly before you return. This takes some of the workload off of the HVAC system and helps you make the most out of your energy efficient upgrades.
What can I do about dirt and dust?
To reduce dust in your home, you should clean or replace the filters in your central heating and cooling system about every other month. Standard air filters can remove as much as 50% of your total household dust, but not if they are old and clogged. To clean your home’s air as thoroughly as possible, it is recommended that you use high-quality paper or pleated fabric filters that are disposable.
How do I get rid of hot and cold spots?
Unfortunately, this is an issue with many homes, and it cannot be easily remedied unless you are replacing or altering parts of your system. Hot and cold spots are usually caused by poor ductwork design and layout. In addition to inconsistent temperatures, this can also lead to stuffy air, lingering odors, and wear and tear on your equipment. Your best solution here is to have a knowledgeable HVAC professional check the layout of your ductwork and reroute it as needed.