5 Tips for Preserving Your HVAC Through the Years
No matter what part of the country you live in, your HVAC system is an important and valuable asset. You depend on it to function equally well during those cold winter months in addition to the blistery days of summer that are bound to show up sooner or later. At the same time, your HVAC system is quite the investment. As such, it is important to do what you can to keep it working at its optimal best without having to endure the sting of costly repairs each time a new season rolls around. With that in mind, take a close look at the following five tips designed to help you preserve the operation of your HVAC through the years.
Consider Retrofitting Your Existing Unit
You do not necessarily need to feel that you need to purchase a new HVAC all together simply because your existing one appears to be on its last leg. In fact, old HVAC systems can be retrofitted to run just like new. This might be something that you want to consider in your case. This is a way to keep from continuously having to perform repairs on an older unit. While it is true that older HVAC systems tend to break down much more often, a retrofitted unit will bring you relatively hassle free cooling and heat for years to come.
A retrofit can also be useful if you are planning to move to a new location that does not currently have a functioning HVAC system. Rather than purchasing a new unit, you can take your existing one with you and have it retrofitted to the new location. If you are not quite ready to invest in a new system, a retrofit will buy you the time that you need to get together the money necessary to purchase the unit you really want. There are many other advantages associated with a retrofitted HVAC system, including a reduction of up to 35 percent on your existing heating and cooling bills.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
One way to preserve your HVAC system for years to come is to make sure it does not have to work harder than it needs to. You can do this by installing a programmable thermostat control system. This will allow you to control the temperature, particularly when nobody is home or in the office. This has the added benefit of saving on your utility bills each month as well.
Conduct Regular Maintenance
Many people seem to wait until there is a noticeable problem with their HVAC system before taking action to regularly maintain it. This is not a prudent course of action to take. If you want to keep the system functioning at its best for years to come, it is important to engage in a regular system of maintenance. This will allow a technician to keep everything running smoothly and as it should, as well as spot any potential troublesome areas before they become a serious issue.
Change Those Air Filters
Blocked air filters can increase your utility bill and cost a host of problems for your HVAC system over time. This is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of HVAC maintenance, yet it is one of the easiest to take care of. Just buy a box of air filters at your local hardware store and make sure you change them out regularly. It is a really simple process, and it can help preserve your HVAC system in ways that you never before dreamed of.
Educate Yourself
One final tip to preserving your HVAC system through the years is to educate yourself about its proper performance. You do not need to always rely on a trained technician to take care of every aspect of the unit. There are certain things that you can be done to proactively keep the machine in great running condition for years to come. Make sure that you learn the proper mechanics of an HVAC system so that you can spot potential trouble and can do something about it before it gets too late.
These five tips should go a long way towards helping you get the most out of your HVAC system.