If you have any kind of HVAC setup at your home or business, you will need to know how often it will need upkeep and repairs throughout its usable lifespan. Most people just operate by guesswork when it comes to this kind of thing, which can lead to issues that could have been avoided. Knowing more about the care of your HVAC system as a whole matters if you want to save money and prevent problems that leave you sweating or freezing.
AC repair services are something that you should only need a few times during the lifespan of your HVAC unit. However, there are always unpredictable issues that can crop up, especially if you are not providing your HVAC system with the proper upkeep annually. Taking care of your HVAC system can help prevent breakdowns and issues that are expensive to fix, which is why it is such a critical part of home or business ownership.
How Often Should a Standard AC Unit Need Repairs?
The age of your HVAC unit has a lot to do with the answer to this question. In the initial years when a system is new, there should never be major issues to contend with. Your system might run very well without even the recommended maintenance and care. You will still want to provide upkeep to this new system, but you should not have any repair needs that need to be tackled.
If you do have issues with a new HVAC system, you will almost always be able to access repairs under the protection of a warranty that was provided by the installer. Make sure that you have this information in hand for the duration of your warranty period so that you can get help with items that need repair.
In the middle of the lifespan of your HVAC system, at about 10-15 years, you will probably run into a couple of different repairs for your HVAC system. These will not be protected by the warranty, and are often caught when annual maintenance is being done. If you notice these symptoms of issues with your HVAC performance, you should reach out to your HVAC repair company:
- Increased heating or cooling costs
- Problems with hot or cold spots in rooms
- Noises when the AC or heating kicks on
As your AC unit ages toward the end of its usable lifespan, which is usually around 15-20 years, you will find that repairs are going to be more common. This is typically when home or business owners start to ponder if they need to replace their HVAC system with something new and more energy efficient. Your HVAC tech can tell you if there are issues that are going to make it impossible for your HVAC system to continue to operate without significant repairs.
How Long Do HVAC Systems Last?
This is a common question, and the answer can vary slightly depending on the kind of system and the brand of the HVAC products that you have used for your system. However, in most cases, your HVAC system should last for about 15-20 years with proper maintenance and care.
This is a good piece of information to know when you are looking at installing an HVAC system for your house or your place of business. You might want to be sure that you are financially prepared to replace the system as it heads into its last years of usable life. There is always a tipping point where the cost to keep an older system running outweighs the cost of getting a new HVAC setup put in place. Your HVAC expert, who is installing or caring for your existing HVAC, should be able to tell you what to expect when it comes to replacement costs for an aging HVAC setup.
Is There a Way to Prevent Repairs for Your HVAC System?
The best way to prevent needing to repair your HVAC system is to take good care of it. You should have an annual inspection by an HVAC expert to ensure that all of the parts and components of your HVAC system are working properly. You should also make sure that you have anything inspected that seems to be causing issues, such as inconsistent temperatures in various areas of your home or business, or increased energy bills.
The other way to prevent the necessity of lots of repairs for your HVAC unit is to invest in a quality system from the start. Having a good quality HVAC system can help you to save money and stress in the future, and the warranties that protect these quality devices will also help you cover the cost of anything that might crop up for any reason after the unit and system are installed.
Lastly, you should always work with an experienced and skilled HVAC company. Having expert help caring for and installing your HVAC system makes a difference in the longevity and the efficiency of your HVAC setup, no matter how large or small it might be. Many people do not realize just how much of a difference having a skilled HVAC tech on their side can make. You will be grateful that you spent a little extra money on your HVAC system and much more confident in your comfort all year long with a skilled HVAC expert on hand for anything that you might need.
HVAC Systems Need Consistent Upkeep to Remain Efficient and Effective
No matter what kind of HVAC system you have installed at your home or office location, you will need to take care of this system properly if you want it to last for the full expected lifetime promised by the manufacturer. Always ensure that you have annual maintenance on your system done by a skilled technician, and be certain that you are paying attention to the potential indications that there are issues with your HVAC that need attention.
HVAC systems can last for a long time when properly cared for and should not need too many major fixes during their expected lifespan.
