7 Tips for Extending the Lifespan of HVAC Equipment

Posted on March 4, 2021 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

When it comes to weather, Minnesota is a place of extremes. Our harsh, bitterly cold winters and hot, humid summer days make a functioning furnace and air conditioner crucial to a comfy home. Follow these tips for extending the lifespan of HVAC equipment to get the most out of your system.

Schedule Preventative Maintenance Twice Annually

Have your system professionally serviced before each heating and cooling season for a thorough tune-up, cleaning, and maintenance service to ensure peak performance and efficiency. Your technician will also catch minor issues to prevent costly repairs later on, as well as help you decide if it’s better to repair or replace.

But don’t wait for maintenance service or a total breakdown to have your system inspected. If you notice strange sounds or smells, decreased efficiency or performance, or any other warning signs, call your local HVAC professionals to diagnose and repair the issue before it gets worse.

Have Ductwork Professionally Cleaned Every Other Year

Dirt, dust, pollen, and other debris naturally settle inside your ductwork over time. This buildup not only impacts airflow and efficiency, but it also becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. As your HVAC unit pumps air to the home, these contaminants get blown out with it and decrease your indoor air quality.

Schedule professional duct cleaning service once every two years to help maintain air quality and reduce stress placed on the system.

Maintain a Clean Air Filter

Clogged filters decrease airflow, forcing the system to work harder and experience a higher level of wear and tear. They’re also the number one cause of breakdowns. Remember to clean or change your HVAC system’s air filter every month.

Take Care of the Condenser Unit

While A/C condenser units are designed to withstand the elements, they’re not invincible. Inspect your condenser for any damage or debris buildup on occasion, especially after severe storms and instances of hail. Additionally, give the unit two to three feet of space to easily and efficiently draw in air. Keep the unit and surrounding space clean and clear of obstructions as well as grass clippings, leaves, branches, dirt, and other debris.

Check the Drainage Pipe Regularly

HVAC systems feature a PVC pipe on the indoor unit that leads outside to drain excess condensation. Serious damage to this outlet line can result in expensive repairs, so inspect yours regularly for blockages, debris, and any other issues. Be sure to do so more frequently in winter due to the potential of ice or snow deposits.

Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

Being strategic with your thermostat can help lower utility bills and stress on your system. However, constantly adjusting the temperature can have the opposite effect. With a programmable thermostat, you can preset temperature and humidity levels over multiple days without worrying about manual adjustments.

Ease Stress on the System in Other Ways

Give your HVAC system a break whenever possible to maximize its performance and useful life. For more information, check out our helpful guides to optimizing HVAC efficiency in the winter and summer.

Heating and cooling systems contribute up to half of a home’s energy consumption, and we rely on them throughout the year in our state. Use this guide to extending the lifespan of HVAC equipment to keep the air in your home clean and comfy for years to come.

Backed by over 30 years of industry experience, locally owned and operated WestAIR has the knowledge and expertise for all your heating, cooling, and indoor air quality needs. Contact us to learn more about our services.

This entry was posted in AC,Air Conditioning,Cooling,Duct Cleaning,Energy Savings,Fall,Furnace,Health Tips,Heating,Humidity,HVAC Maintenance,Indoor Air Quality,Tips,Winter and tagged A/C, A/C maintenance, A/C Tips, Air conditioner maintenance, Air filters, Condenser Unit Maintenance, Duct cleaning, Energy savings, Energy-Saving HVAC Tips, Extending the Lifespan of HVAC Equipment, Furnace Maintenance, Furnace Tips, Homeowner Education, HVAC Education, HVAC Maintenance, HVAC Maintenance Tips, HVAC tips, Preventative Maintenance, Programmable thermostat

Money-Saving Tips to Keep your Home Cool this Summer

Posted on May 21, 2018 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Have you switched your thermostat over to cool yet this spring? When the weather turns hot and sticky, you may be tempted to crank the a/c. Give yourself some peace of mind and follow these money-saving tips to keep your home comfortable this summer.

A/C Maintenance

Avoid an expensive breakdown during summer’s scorching hot days. HVAC technicians are working their peak seasons, so wait times could be longer than you’d like. Instead, schedule your a/c tune-up to keep your air conditioner working at top performance. Technicians will clean parts covered with dust and debris, fill coolant levels, tighten electrical connections, and more. You should always change your air filter every month during cooling (and heating months), too!

Thermostat

Program your thermostat this summer to the warmest comfortable temperature, and even warmer while you are away. However, while you’re away, don’t turn your air conditioner off on extremely hot days. The materials in your home will retain heat, so keeping the room cooler will make it easier for your air conditioner to run. On colder nights, you can turn off your cooling unit and open the windows. Then close them right away in the morning to trap the cooler air inside.

Windows

Use curtains and shades during the day to block direct sunrays from heating your home. Exterior awnings can reduce extra heat by up to 75 percent on west-facing windows! It’s also important to caulk or weather strip any drafty windows.

Air Circulation

Maintain maximum efficiency by inspecting your air ducts for any leaks. Keep cool air circulating in the right areas by closing doors and vents to any rooms not in use. Using an exhaust fan in bathrooms or kitchens also removes heat and moisture from your home, which helps prevent wall damage and mold.

Appliances

Save money on your electric and water bills by less frequent use of appliances that add heat to the house. Avoid using the oven by preparing cold meals or grilling outside on hot days. Air-dry your dishes and laundry. Your water heater is another culprit for extra heat, so try taking shorter and cooler showers on warm days as well.

Plant trees

Planting tall trees can cool your house naturally. Suburban and urban areas are warmer than rural ones because of the heat absorbed by roads, buildings, and parking lots. Planting tall trees to block windows can save you up to 35 percent annually on energy costs while keeping your home cooler and giving your yard extra curb appeal.

Contact WestAIR Heating & Cooling for your annual a/c tune-up and personalized suggestions to keep your home comfortable this summer!

This entry was posted in AC,Air Conditioning,Cooling and tagged A/C maintenance, A/C tune-up, A/C tune-up, Air circulation, Air conditioner maintenance, Air conditioner tune-up, Air ducts, Air filters, Comfortable, Cooling system, Energy efficiency, Exhaust fan, Grilling out, Heating and cooling, Hot days, Humid days, HVAC technician, Plant trees, Summer days, Thermostat, Tune-up, Window curtains, Window shadows, Window tips

A/C Tune-up – Why Should You, When Should You?

Posted on April 26, 2018 by WestAIR Heating & Cooling

Summer is just around the corner and having a broken a/c is no joke on those scorching hot days.

Why You Need an A/C Tune-up

Give your air conditioner a head start this summer by cleaning the key areas where dust and dirt accumulate. You can reach maximum efficiency by scheduling a thorough tune-up. Maintenance involves a comprehensive cleaning of condenser coils, maintaining coolant levels, calibrating your thermostat, tightening electrical connections, and inspecting the ductwork and performance.

Cleaning

• Condenser coils
• Condenser drain
• Air filter

Testing

• Coolant levels
• Thermostat calibration
• Supply and return temperature differential
• Compressor

Inspecting

• Electrical wiring
• Bearing lubricant
• Safety devices
• Refrigerant
• Indoor coils
• Fan blade
• Test capacitors
• Service valves
• Ductwork
• Blower motor and belt

Regular maintenance will almost always cost less than a repair or a replacement and can decrease your electricity bill. Your cooling unit lasts longer – sometimes twice as long as a neglected one. And to top it off, missing regular tune-ups can void your warranty.

When to Service Your Air Conditioner

Spring is the best time for an annual air conditioner tune-up. Summer becomes one of the busiest seasons for technicians with repairs and emergency service. Waiting until a serious problem develops with your a/c can mean delays in service or additional costs for emergency repair.

Is it Time to Consider a New Cooling System?

Sometimes, it’s worth upgrading your air conditioner system for something that’s more efficient and requires fewer repairs.

If your electricity bill keeps going up without any changing variables like extra hot weather, you might be ready for a new air conditioner. You also need to consider how old your a/c is – most last 10 – 15 years. If your system is unreasonably noisy or dusty, this could indicate that there are leaks in the ductwork or the system isn’t the right size for your home. Lastly, an efficient air conditioner should remove humidity from your home. Any trouble with humidity and inconsistent temperatures where vents are located also signifies a problem.

On our next visit, we can give your current air conditioner an energy assessment to see you need to tighten or clean a few parts or if it’s time to upgrade to a new cooling system. We are proud dealers of Rheem air conditioners – top-quality, innovative products with the latest technology.

Contact us to schedule a service today!

This entry was posted in Air Conditioning,Cooling and tagged A/C maintenance, A/C tune-up, A/C tune-up, Air conditioner maintenance, Air conditioner tune-up, Condenser coil, Cooling system, Heating and cooling, Rheem, Thermostat, Tune-up