Heating and cooling systems are a major investment for homeowners. To get the most out of your home’s HVAC system, you will want to do everything possible to extend its lifespan. Here is a look at how tune-ups extend an HVAC’s lifespan, what tasks are included, and what schedule is best.
Improving an HVAC’s Lifespan
An HVAC system will typically suffer approximately a 5% loss in performance and efficiency each year it doesn’t receive professional attention. As a system’s performance declines, many components must work harder to achieve the same results. For example, your air conditioner’s compressor will work harder as it loses refrigerant. This can increase your monthly utility bills and result in expensive repair needs over time. About 85% of all HVAC failures arise from preventable problems. A system that receives regular attention should last 15 to 20 years, and many go beyond that.
Which Tune-Up Tasks to Consider
Routinely Changing Filters
It’s important to periodically replace your HVAC filter. Clogged filters can cut efficiency by as much as 50%. By neglecting this task, your system suffers significant strain that results in expensive repairs. Look at the replacement schedule recommended by the manufacturer of the filter you’re using or the information in your HVAC system owner’s manual. Traditional filters should be replaced every 30 to 90 days. Some households may need more frequent filter replacements. If your household has many pets, dander and hair can clog filters more frequently. The same goes for households with smokers.
Cleaning and Inspecting Coils
Your AC system has evaporator and condenser coils. Likewise, a heat pump uses coils. There are external coils, and homeowners can clean these with a light spray of water every fall. However, our technicians will perform a more thorough cleaning to help extend your coils’ lifespan.
Dirty coils create performance issues because they reduce the quality of heat exchange between your HVAC and the outdoors. This reduces efficiency by as much as 30% and forces the system to work harder. In extreme cases, the coils may ice over. This leads to a continuous cycle of failures as heat exchange continually gets worse.
Thermostat and Other Controls
The settings for your thermostat can change from factory specifications. Our technicians sample the temperature independently and compare it to what your system is showing. If necessary, we’ll make adjustments. We can calibrate a modern HVAC thermostat to within one degree of the actual temperature.
This is also a good time to test wiring and communication within the HVAC. Our technicians have tools to verify that the control system and the thermostat are communicating. We will verify that the wiring is still carrying a clear signal to all the HVAC components.
Depending on the type of equipment you have, we review data that helps us learn more about running times and total cycles. This information can be used to detect potential problems.
Addressing issues with thermostats and the HVAC control unit will prevent cycling issues. If your HVAC runs too long, this can wear out components. Likewise, short cycling may be a sign that the system is overheating or that there is an issue with airflow. Appropriate cycle lengths help extend your HVAC’s lifespan by several years.
Adding Lubrication to Moving Parts
Today’s HVAC units have many moving parts. Blower motors, fans, and dampers all suffer some degree of friction during normal operation. Lubrication is a standard part of any tune-up schedule. Replacing a worn bearing could cost hundreds of dollars, while preventive lubrication is part of the price of a standard tune-up. You also have the benefit of your HVAC system operating quietly.
Addressing Drainage Systems
Both heating and cooling systems produce condensation, and proper draining is essential for good operation and to prevent water damage. This is an area that is prone to the buildup of mineral deposits and sediment. Flushing a drain line is simple for our team and clears stubborn clogs.
Maintenance and Inspection for Burners
If you have a furnace or boiler that uses gas or oil as a fuel source, taking care of its burners is important. Cleaning the burners ensures that they’ll run as efficiently as possible. As with other components, inefficiency leads to cycling issues that can wear out components quickly.
More importantly, cleaning the burners addresses a major safety risk. Clogged burners can lead to gas buildups. In the best-case scenario, this causes noisy ignitions. In the worst-case scenario, it could result in a dangerous buildup of gas in your home. Inefficient burners also tend to emit more carbon monoxide, another potential health risk.
Consider HVAC Calibration
Components like blower motors, fans, and dampers are easy to overlook, but tuning them makes a difference. These systems control the rate of airflow to different parts of your home. As they age from use, they can fall out of specifications. A damper might end up stuck in an open or closed position, for example. With an unbalanced airflow, the HVAC may struggle to heat and cool your home. This ultimately costs you money, but recalibrating these components typically is a simple tune-up.
Addressing Your Ductwork
Inspecting and cleaning a home’s ductwork also makes a difference. Our team verifies that the ducts are properly sealed, ensuring system efficiency. Also, we inspect the ducts to ensure that maximum airflow is possible. As a bonus, duct services will improve your home’s indoor air quality. We recommend that you schedule an inspection of your ducts once every few years. Professional ductwork cleaning is recommended once every three to five years.
Establishing a Seasonal Schedule
A spring checkup tends to focus on preparing your air conditioner for the summer cooling season. Following a multipoint checklist, our technicians will test the AC’s functionality, scan for error codes, lubricate moving parts, and verify that the refrigerant is properly charged. We also check how the heating system looks after a winter of operation. March or April is a good time for the first tune-up of the year.
The second tune-up should be in preparation for winter, usually in September or October. This one focuses on heating components, and our technicians will inspect and clean burners, check system controls, and test for any signs of gas leakage. Our technicians check to see how the AC unit held up over the summer.
Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas is a licensed contractor that serves homeowners in Nanaimo, BC and the surrounding areas. We work on many heating, cooling, and plumbing projects. We work on many kinds of systems, including furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, AC units, and ductless mini-splits. Area residents appreciate the quality of our work, and it shows in the many good reviews that you can find online.
If you’re ready to schedule regular maintenance, consider joining our Comfort Club. In addition to discounts for a wide range of projects, we include an annual heating or AC tune-up of primary heating and cooling equipment. If you want to be sure the HVAC in your Nanaimo home is ready with a seasonal tune-up, contact Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas today.
