3 Tips for Making Your Home’s HVAC System Last Longer

Your home’s HVAC is one of the most important systems. You need it to maintain comfortable temperatures in the home. However, for it to serve its purpose, you should ensure that it’s maintained properly. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you need to carry out routine maintenance for your HVAC at least twice a year. You can do this for the furnace once in the fall and once in the spring for the air conditioner to keep it running well. Want to listen to that advice? Here are three maintenance tips that will help your HVAC system last longer.

1. Change Your Filters

This is one of the most underrated, yet important, parts of your heating and air conditioning maintenance. Ideally, you should change your filters at least once every one to three months. The frequency of changing them depends on where you live and other factors like whether you have pets in the home. Dirty and clogged air filters will put unnecessary strain on your system, and this will reduce its efficiency and cause malfunctions. Dirty filters will also lead to decreased indoor air quality. To prevent all this, always remember to change your filters regularly.

2. Clean Your Condensing Unit

The majority of air conditioners come with outdoor condensing units. These sit outside, and they have a fan on top, which helps disperse heat in the summer. Over time, the metal fins of your condensing unit will become clogged up with pollen, debris, dirt, and grime. To unclog them, take some time each season and spray the outdoor unit with some water. You can use a hose for more effective cleaning. Avoid using a pressure washer for this task, which will permanently damage your unit and lead to very costly repairs.

3. Visually Inspect Your Equipment

Proper inspection is especially important for your outdoor unit. You need to clear the space around the unit and do away with the build-up of overgrown vegetation and leaves. This will ensure that there’s no interference with the airflow to the outside unit. Another good idea would be to trim any trees or bushes so that there’s enough clearance. Ideally, you should leave at least two feet on every side. You should also keep an eye on trees that shed off excessive pollen. This will lead to an accelerated clogging of your condensing unit.

These tips will help you with heating and air conditioning maintenance, which will improve your HVAC’s efficiency and extend its life. If you’re not sure how to go about maintaining your HVAC, find a reputable professional. Get in touch with Olympic Aire Service Inc today to ask about our professional heating and air conditioning maintenance services.