Whatever it is you own to heat and cool your home, the fact is that it will need replacing after a while. The only question is how long that will be. To answer this, though, there are a few factors you need to take into consideration. There are three major questions you should ask yourself when you’re figuring out how long your HVAC will last.
What Type of HVAC System Do I Own?
We’re being intentionally broad by saying “HVAC system.” HVAC stands for “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning,” and it encompasses everything from furnaces and boilers to central ACs and ductless mini-splits. Each type has a different life span.
For example, central heat pumps, which both heat and cool, can last around 15 to 20 years. Furnaces, which must use fuel to generate heat, don’t last as long; much depends on the fuel, with gas and electric furnaces typically running for 15 years and oil furnaces for a shorter time. Mini-splits, since they cool only one room, may not need replacing for a good 30 years.
What Am I Doing to Maintain It?
Biannual maintenance is critical no matter what system you own. Without it, even a mini-split won’t support you beyond a decade, and the point is to put off replacement for as long as possible. A lack of regular maintenance can definitely impact how long your HVAC will last.
Make sure a professional company is handling the tune-ups. Such a company will be able to pinpoint all that’s wrong with your system, addressing it before it wears down the system and shortens its life span.
Do I Run It All the Time?
Some homeowners let their system run all the time, not adjusting the temperature for the times when they’re asleep or away. The more the system runs, the more wear it incurs and the more brief its life will be. We understand, though, that in extreme climates, it’s unavoidable.
NORCO Heating & Air Conditioning is a fourth-generation family-run business that can provide HVAC maintenance, repairs, and installations in Spokane, WA. Rely on our NATE-certified technicians. Besides heating and cooling work, we install humidifiers, indoor air quality products, and tankless water heaters.
If you’d like to learn more, simply call us today!
