When you’re considering purchasing a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, one of the first questions that comes to mind is how long it will last. It can be really frustrating when a sales representative tells you that it depends. Some people consider this to be a sales tactic, but the simple fact is that determining how long your HVAC unit will last is not so simple. Here are some factors that play into how long your HVAC unit will provide reliable service to your home.
Factors influencing how long your HVAC unit lasts
Let’s take a look at this from the human perspective:
- What shape is the rest of your system in? If you expect to use old tubing and blowers, it’s like putting a heart transplant into a body with a lot of artery blockage. It can’t work as efficiently if it’s not using the pieces for which it’s designed.
- How often is your current unit running? Much like the dad who’s holding down three jobs to feed his kids, too much work wears your HVAC unit out prematurely. Think about that crusty old construction worker you know who’s in his 40s but looks like he’s in his 70s.
- Where is your unit being kept? If it doesn’t have enough space to circulate heat out of the system and cooler air in to take its place, it’s kind of like the homeless guy you saw downtown. Not having an appropriate resting place with everything it needs spells out an early death for the homeless and your HVAC unit.
- Can your HVAC unit breathe? Changing out your blower filter on a regular basis helps keep your HVAC unit from having to work any harder than it needs to so that it can keep your home comfortable. Imagine a coal miner with too much dust in his lungs to be able to breathe properly and perform as he needs to for his job.
- Is your HVAC unit able to chill out? Clean heat exchange coils help keep your system from overheating. Imagine a model showing off a beautiful parka — in Miami’s hot summer.
Now that you’ve reached the end of this list, you can understand why “it depends” is such a common answer. These are some questions you can ask yourself when giving a self-analysis of your unit. By keeping your HVAC unit well maintained, you’re helping extend its service life. For questions about your HVAC unit’s performance and maintenance, please contact us with any questions.
