Proper maintenance of your HVAC system allows it to run efficiently and last longer. Many homeowners overlook their HVAC units until a breakdown occurs. However, proactive care can prevent costly repairs and extend the lifespan of your system. With routine maintenance, you can keep your HVAC unit in top condition, providing comfort on those cold winter nights.
In this article, I’ll discuss tips to extend the life of your heating system, what to do when it stops working, and the signs that indicate it’s time to replace it.
Tips for Extending Your Heating System’s Lifespan
The typical cost to replace a heating system is approximately $5,500 to $11,000, a significant expense most homeowners would like to put off as long as possible. So, how can you extend the life of your furnace?
Smart, preventative HVAC maintenance is the key to extending the life of your HVAC system. Here are some tips to help you maximize the lifespan of your heating system and reduce heating and cooling costs.
Schedule Regular Checkups
Regular maintenance extends the life of your HVAC system and reduces repair costs. An HVAC technician can save you thousands of dollars in repairs by regularly checking your heating system and air conditioner and catching problems early.
I recommend you have your heating system regularly inspected and serviced at least twice a year to make sure it functions optimally. During routine maintenance visits, your HVAC professional can also assess whether your system is outdated, compromising indoor air quality, and driving up energy costs.
Change the Filter Regularly
Another crucial part of caring for your heating system is regularly changing your air filters. Dirty air filters cause your heating system to work harder to circulate air in your home, overworking the system. Keep a supply of clean filters on hand to extend your HVAC systems lifespan and improve your indoor air quality.
Most homeowners use 30-day or 90-day filters. However, you should regularly check these and replace them before their specified time if they become clogged or dirty earlier than expected.
Adjust Your Home’s Environment
Make smart decisions, like installing shades and investing in high-quality ceiling fans, reducing your reliance on your heating and cooling systems. Reflective shades block and reflect unwanted heat from the outside during the summer but hinder natural and free heated airflow into your home during the winter. Remove them seasonally to allow for better airflow.
Bundle up and use blankets and sweaters to keep yourself warm during the winter without cranking up the thermostat in your home. Space heaters also help you save money, blow warm air, and prevent wear and tear on your heating system.
Whenever possible, switch off your HVAC system and rely on open windows, space heaters, fans, and blankets to keep you comfortable throughout the day. Use the “auto” setting on your HVAC system, reducing how often it’s actively heating and cooling your house. If you struggle with allergies or other respiratory issues, keeping your HVAC system on may be necessary to maintain high air quality.
Upgrade Your Insulation
The less your system has to run to maintain the desired temperature throughout your home, the longer the system will last. Properly insulating your home reduces the amount of heating and air conditioning required to maintain your desired temperature.
The best place to look for air leaks and insufficient insulation is your attic. Check the Environmental Protection Agency’s insulation climate map to see the guidelines for insulation in your area. If you have less insulation than recommended, call a professional for an energy audit and evaluation.
Clean Your Ducts
HVAC system ducts are crucial for indoor air quality, and energy efficiency. A thorough duct cleaning will remove contaminants and obstructions. A deep clean of your air ducts every five years maintains healthy indoor air quality and improves your HVAC’s life span and efficiency.
Use a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat can save you a lot of money on your utility bill. Look for programmable thermostats that you can control from anywhere with your smartphone. This allows you to cut back on heating and cooling while away from home and make energy-saving adjustments to your settings.
Repair Any Issues Immediately
Waiting to repair your heating system only worsens the problem and puts more strain on the system. Addressing small issues promptly by a service technician makes sure your heating system remains in the best shape possible.
Upgrade Your Heating System
There are vast differences between types of heating systems and their average life span. For example, a heat pump system has a life expectancy of 15 years, while furnaces and boilers are expected to last 15 to 30 years. Modern heating systems, like electric heating and active solar heating, are expected to last 20+ years.
If you have an outdated heating system that isn’t energy efficient, it’s likely worthwhile to replace the entire unit. Starting with good habits from the beginning of the system’s lifespan not only reduces your energy consumption and energy bills but also increases the likelihood of maintaining the new system.
If you want to upgrade your heating system, consider electric heating, which has an estimated 95% to 100% energy efficiency and is relatively inexpensive to purchase compared to other heating systems.
Know What To Do if Your Furnace Stops Working.
Before paying for a service call, consider trying these things first. However, leave furnace repairs to trained HVAC professionals.
- Thermostat Settings: Start by checking the thermostat to make sure it’s turned on, set to heat, and at the right temperature. Also, make sure the programmable feature found on most new thermostats isn’t programmed to turn the furnace off. Many new thermostats are battery-powered and will stop working when the batteries run down, so replace the batteries to see if that solves the problem.
- Power Supply: Check the circuit breaker or fuse that supplies power to the furnace to see if it’s tripped or blown. If it is, turn the breaker back on or replace the fuse. The fuse tripped for a reason, so if it happens again, have an HVAC pro check it out.
- Reset Button: Your furnace may have a reset button. Start by turning the power off the furnace, then look for a red or yellow reset button. You will probably find it under the cover of the furnace motor. Press the reset button, replace the cover, and turn the power back on to see if that fixes the problem. Call an HVAC pro to fix the problem if the reset button trips again.
- Pilot Light: If your furnace has a pilot light, check to see if it’s gone out. If it has, relight the pilot following the instructions in the owner’s manual.
Your furnace needs to be inspected regularly to operate at maximum efficiency. The best time to have your furnace inspected is in the fall to make sure it’s in top shape for the winter months ahead.
Know When It’s Time To Replace Your Furnace
As reliable as your furnace is, it might be time for a new one. Here are some warning signs that your furnace may be ready for replacement:
- Room Temperature: Uneven heat distribution in some rooms may indicate issues with your heating system. It could be as simple as needing adjustments or cleaning in the ducts, or it could point to a problem with the furnace itself.
- Furnace Age: Furnaces typically need to be replaced after 15 years, and heat pumps after 10. If you’re not sure about the age of your furnace, a dealer or HVAC pro can give you an estimate of its age and expected lifespan.
- Unusual Sounds: Unusual or excessive noise may suggest that the duct system is too small for your home, resulting in strain on the furnace. Unusual sounds may indicate a problem with the unit itself.
- High Heating Bills: A more energy-efficient furnace might be the answer if your winter heating bills are excessive. Start by taking the Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick to see how your home scores on a 1 to 10 scale. If you score a five or lower, you probably use more energy than necessary to heat and cool your home. In addition to installing a more energy-efficient heating system, consider adding more insulation and improving the energy efficiency of windows and doors.
Final Thoughts
A heating system is expensive to replace and runs inefficiently if not properly maintained. By scheduling regular check-ups, changing filters, adjusting your home’s environment, upgrading insulation, and cleaning ducts, you can maximize the lifespan of your HVAC system. Address issues promptly and consider upgrades when necessary to avoid costly repairs.
Stay on top of routine maintenance and regular tune-ups with a professional HVAC technician to make sure your system keeps you comfortable for years to come.
