Investing in a new HVAC system for your home is a big decision and one that you’ll be so thankful that you made. A well-tuned HVAC system can make maintaining a comfortable temperature inside your home easy no matter what season. Depending on the type of HVAC system that you choose to install, you can expect your investment to last anywhere between 10 to 20 years.
The Main Factors That Decrease System Lifespan
One very important part of understanding your HVAC system is learning what to avoid doing. The following practices can lead to a decreased lifespan of your new system. Therefore, they should be avoided at all costs to ensure that your investment lasts as long as it’s supposed to.
- Inadequate System Size: If your system is too small or too big for your home you may find that it is under performing or getting overworked to maintain your set comfort level. Most HVAC professionals measure your current living space to determine the proper size unit for your home or business.
- Poor Maintenance: Ideally, you should get your heating and a/c units tuned up annually. A proper inspection and cleaning of your system helps your unit running efficiently and smoothly. This is also a good way to catch little problems before they become a huge expense. Combine that will regular furnace filter changes and you should be good to go.
- Improper System Usage: At times homeowners may find themselves changing their thermostat temperatures from one extreme to another. Some feel this is a good way of getting warmer or cooler quicker. This is not the case, in order to maintain comfortable levels and not overwork your system you should only adjust it a few degrees higher or lower. You should also invest in a programmable thermostat which can easily control this desired temperature. It can even be set to a schedule to save you money for when you are not home while making sure when you are, the temperature is exactly where you want it to be.
Common HVAC System Components
A part of understanding just how long your new HVAC system will last is determining just what type of system you want to purchase. There are many options available and choosing the right one is going to be up to your personal preferences. Here are some of the most common HVAC components and their expected lifespan.
Furnaces
The typical gas furnace can last up to 20 years, while a traditional oil furnace will only last about 15 years. This is mostly based on the fuel powering your furnace and how it burns. Gas typically burns cleaner than oil, so the components do not get as dirty and ultimately last longer.
Boilers
Most boilers will last anywhere between 15 to 25 years. This mostly depends on the type of boiler you have. According to Weil-McLainstandard boilers can last a minimum of 15 years and can go beyond that. While cast iron boilers can be expected to last 20 to 25 years.
Air Conditioners
Most air conditioners will last up to 15 to 20 years. However, for those who live in the coastal areas where salt is a normal corrosive problem, expect your air conditioner to only last about 5 to 10 years. Covering your outdoor a/c unit during the fall and winter months will also help protect your investment from getting damaged and rusting out components due to rain and snow.
Heat Pumps
A fairly new system on the market, heat pumps are expected to last for up to 10 to 15 years. Those living in coastal ranges can expect only 5 to 10 years of lifespan due to salt corrosion.
Ductless Systems
The ductless mini-split systems are becoming a popular choice due to their lack of necessary ductwork throughout the home and their lifespan, according to Mitsubishi, of up to 20 years.
It’s important to remember these are all estimates of life expectancy for your HVAC system and vary by brand, home environment/climate you live, and level of maintenance provided. Installing or replacing your HVAC system is a big investment so you will want to get the most out of it.
Best Tips For Extending The Lifespan Of Your New System
As with most things, you’re probably wondering what you can do to ensure that you get even more life out of your new HVAC system. There are some best practices that can help to ensure that your system continues to last up to the high side of the manufacturer’s estimate. First, ensure that you get annual HVAC maintenance as this will ensure adequate cleaning of the system and identify worn parts before they break. You may find that a service plan will be beneficial to help keep you on top of maintenance.
We offer the Family Plan; this plan automatically incudes the necessary annual tune-ups for your system. It also has other benefits to help keep your system performing at its peak. Second, clean or replace your filters regularly to ensure that your system isn’t overworking due to a clogged or dirty filter. We recommend checking your filters monthly as you may find you need to change them more frequently if you are a pet owner, have seasonal allergies, or are a candle lover. Ultimately, you should refer to you owner’s manual to determine the proper filter size and recommended maintenance to extend your new systems lifespan.
Give Us A Call Today
Are you ready to get the most out of your new HVAC system with a seasonal tune-up or sign up for scheduled maintenance and other benefits through our Family Plan? If so, then contact us today at (215) 488-5795 Our customer service professionals will schedule your appointment and can help you decide which Family Plan will best meet your needs. Is your system older? Well schedule your FREE in-home estimate today and experience the benefits of a new HVAC system! Before you call be sure to head over to our service coupon and replacement specials page and check out one of our current offers.
