Anyone living in Chicagoland understands the importance of a warm house. However, the colder months put a lot of stress on your HVAC unit because of the constant use. As a result, overworking your heating system can create costly issues.
Scheduling annual maintenance for your HVAC units is the best way to avoid such issues or, at the very least, to catch them before they become bigger problems. A well-maintained furnace, boiler, or central air conditioner should keep you comfortable for 15 to 20 years. Those that aren’t maintained can give out in 10 years or less.
Here are some ways to extend the life of your HVAC system to work when you need it.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
The main way to extend the life of your HVAC system is through routine maintenance. Ideally, you should schedule this twice a year (once for your heater, once for your AC) to spot any wear and tear.
In addition to extending the life of your units, regular maintenance ensures that your that they’ll run as efficiently as possible. Thus, the modest cost of a maintenance call will actually save you money by keeping your monthly energy bills low and by prolonging the life of your system.
While performing maintenance, your HVAC technician will also inspect your system for potential problems. By doing so every year, you’re technician should be able to identify minor issues while they’re still easy to fix. As a result, you’ll be able to avoid the expensive repairs, which are often necessary to keep poorly maintained units running.
Clean The Ducts
Duct cleaning also helps extend the life of your HVAC system because it removes blockages that reduce the efficiency of your unit. Under normal circumstances, air ducts disperse hot/cool air from a furnace/AC throughout the house. However, excessive dust or debris in ducts forces the fans pushing air through your ducts to word overtime. Thus, these obstructions add stress to your HVAC system which can lead to breakage.
To prevent excess buildup, have your ducts cleaned every five years. And between cleaning, remember to replace the units’ air filters, which prevents debris from entering your ducts in the first place.
| Size of Air Filter | When to Replace |
| 1-2 in. | 1 to 3 months |
| 3-4 in. | 5 to 6 months |
| 5-6 in. | 9 to 12 months |
Alternatively, consider switching to a ductless system. Ductless air systems allow for independent climate control throughout the house and use significantly less energy than traditional air ducts. Without the need to push air throughout your home, ductless systems have one less point of failure. They’re easier to keep in peak working condition, which is the best way to ensure their long life.
Let Deljo Keep Your System Running
Deljo Heating and Cooling is here to help keep your HVAC system running. If you live in the Chicago area and haven’t had your HVAC units serviced this year, reach out to us to schedule an appointment! Let us help you keep your heating and cooling systems running efficiently to give them the long life the deserve!
And for those whose HVAC systems are already on their last legs, we also offer AC and furnace installation in Chicago to make sure you’re comfortable throughout the year. Whether you’re in need of a simple maintenance call or a whole new unit, we can help!
Call us today at 773-248-1144 to schedule an appointment!
