Extend the Life of the HVAC System in Your Highland Park Home With These Pointers

Highland Park summers are sweltering and  the winters are bitterly cold. As a result, the HVAC systems in our region work extra hard year-round to keep us comfortable. That amounts to a lot of wear and tear. Luckily, there are ways to extend the life of an HVAC system to ensure a high comfort level and energy efficiency for years to come.

How can a homeowner do this? It boils down to maintenance and reducing the heating and cooling loads on your A/C, heat pump and furnace. Here are some tips to help you take good care of your HVAC equipment to ensure a long, productive life.

Maintain the HVAC System

The number one reason for HVAC failure is lack of maintenance. Yearly preventive maintenance is essential to extend the life of an HVAC system and improve energy efficiency. The technician will tighten belts and connections, lubricate motors, clean interior components, and measure airflow, emissions, and heating and cooling output. This ensures optimal performance, preventing common problems during the peak of the hot and cold seasons.

Reduce the Workload

The harder the HVAC system has to work to keep you comfortable, the more wear it’ll experience over the course of a season and the more expensive your utility bills. Take a load off the system and save on energy costs with these essential tasks.

• Replace the air filter every one to three months, but check it monthly for dust buildup. A clean air filter ensures optimum airflow and protects the interior components to extend the life of an HVAC system.
• Seal air leaks in the home. Air leaks make the HVAC system work harder by letting conditioned air escape and allowing outdoor air to infiltrate. This keeps the system cycling more frequently than it should.
• Seal leaky ducts to keep conditioned air inside.
• Install a programmable thermostat to manage heating and cooling loads based on when you’re at home and away.

For more expert tips on how you can extend the life of an HVAC system, please feel free to contact us at Carefree Comfort, Inc. Heating & Air Conditioning.

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