As a Tampa Bay homeowner, you may be interested in learning how to improve the lifespan of your AC. Keeping your AC functioning optimally for years to come may be a priority due to economic inflation and climate change requiring more frequent use of your AC. That’s why learning about ways to extend your AC’s life will allow you to make significant changes in how you care for your system.
A report by Florida’s Solar Energy Center provides insight into several issues that influence the progression of system degradation. These factors include system age, improper refrigerant charge, and low airflow over the evaporator coils (remove humidity from the air). These problems can often be attributed to improper installation.
Because our professionals at Fairway Heating and Cooling in Tampa Bay, Florida, care about assisting you with your HVAC systems, we have provided you with the knowledge you need to preserve your system.
How Long do ACs Typically Last?
According to the Department of Energy (DOE) reports, the average lifespan of central air conditioning units is 15 to 20 years. However, how long they last also depends on system wear and tear, its history of maintenance, and ownership.
Since routine maintenance is a factor that extends longevity, it is detrimental to avoid upkeep over time.
7 Ways to Increase Your AC’s Lifespan
At Fairway, we understand that homeowners often lack the expertise regarding HVAC systems. So, using Fairway Heating and Cooling’s expertise, the following are our top recommendations to improve the lifespan of your AC:
Improper Installation
The DOE suggests that issues often arise from faulty installation and poor service procedures. Namely, one common problem is that the refrigerant charge (the amount of refrigerant in the system) does not match the manufacturer’s specifications. If it is not done correctly, the performance and efficiency of the unit are impaired. This is likely a result of unqualified service technicians failing to recognize these issues or other existing problems.
Consequently, the unit may overheat from constant cycling, potentially harming the system’s electronics and motor. Over time, this decreases the efficiency of your unit and its lifespan. And without proper upkeep, your unit may continue to deteriorate.
To avoid improper installation, hire licensed and insured professionals.
Routine Maintenance
Scheduling routine maintenance with your local professional is essential for extending your system’s life. For example, an HVAC technician’s checklist may consist of evaluating system controls, tightening loose electrical connections, or inspecting the condensate drain.
By keeping up with maintenance, you can prevent minor issues from leading to system replacement.
Adjusting Your Rate of Use
A home that uses its system constantly will have greater wear and tear, thereby increasing the need for repairs and reducing its longevity. For instance, a home that keeps its AC set to 70 degrees Fahrenheit will run more frequently than a home that keeps its thermostat set to 78 degrees.
The system that draws on their unit more will have a shorter lifespan. To prevent your AC from needing to be replaced sooner, alter your rate of use or thermostat settings. Your programmable thermostat can be set to turn off when no one is home.
Use a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are similar to programmable thermostats, but they can be controlled remotely using WiFi to adjust your AC to achieve optimal energy efficiency. They are beneficial because they help you decrease your home’s energy consumption while maintaining a consistent and comfortable temperature. More so, they provide a summary of their use for homeowners to review so they can further optimize their temperature settings.
The ability to make these simple alterations in programming is what helps to limit system strain and increase its lifespan.
Change Your Air Filters Regularly
A clogged air filter causes damage to your fan, motors, and other components due to dirt accumulation, restricting air flow. If there is a lack of maintenance, your AC’s lifespan may be reduced.
So, the solution is simple—change your air filters regularly to extend your AC’s longevity.
Clean Your Ducts & Vents
Dirty AC ducts and vents are detrimental because they prevent your unit from functioning properly, increasing wear and tear. With regular duct and vent cleaning, you can prolong the life of your system by reducing the stress on its components and improving its overall performance. As a result, you’ll need fewer repairs, avoid emergency breakdowns, and need a new unit later than you anticipated.
Upgrade Home Insulation
Having poor home insulation allows cool air to escape and hot air to enter, which makes your AC work harder than it should. According to the DOE, you can save up to 15% on your home’s heating and cooling costs or up to 11% on its total energy costs by adding insulation to attics, floors, crawl spaces, and accessible basement rim joists that connect to the foundation.
If you want to add more years to your AC’s life, seal all the gaps where air leaks.
Rely On Fairway Heating & Cooling To Enhance Your System’s Longevity!
If you’re looking to improve the lifespan of your AC, reach out to our specialists at Fairway Heating and Cooling in Tampa Bay, Florida. We will provide you with our knowledge and expertise to enhance your system’s longevity. However, what sets our company apart from the rest is that we prioritize in-home comfort and customer satisfaction.
We care about making our services reasonable for all our clients. More importantly, we are dedicated to providing affordable excellence.
We specialize in:
- AC Repairs
- AC Installations
- AC Inspections
- Indoor Air Quality
- Duct Sealing
- Duct repair and maintenance
Feel Free to contact us today to speak with a customer service agent or to schedule a service!
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