Like a car, your home's heating and air conditioning unit works best when given regular tune-ups.
Your car and your heating and air conditioning unit have more in common than you might think.
Both are major purchases from which you demand comfort, performance and energy efficiency. Following are a few things to consider when choosing an HVAC system for your home–and how to keep it running like a smooth highway drive.
Select the Right Size Heating and Air Conditioning Unit
Like a car, your HVAC unit must be appropriately sized for your household’s needs. For example, a family of two would probably not purchase a 10-passenger van for their transportation needs, right?
”We won’t sell you on the most expensive unit for your house if it isn’t what is needed,” says Travis Smith of Sky Heating and Air Conditioning in Portland, OR. “In most cases, a basic air conditioner will do.”
When it comes to heating and cooling units, bigger is not always better. Larger systems not only cost more initially, but they are more expensive to install and maintain. A properly sized unit will provide the most efficient energy use for your money.
But how do you find out what size unit your home needs? Track down an exacting contractor who spends time measuring your house’s windows and doors. And rule out contractors that give quick guesstimates. “We take almost 2 hours to give out a bid,” says Smith.
Research HVAC Models
Before purchasing a car, people often do extensive research to find the model that’s right for them. They want to know about the latest innovations, safety features, etc. The same type of research should apply for those buying HVAC units.
For example, the Trane XL20i heat pump is the only heat pump to have two compressors in it for the longest life possible. This means that your system is never oversized because it automatically selects the appropriately sized compressor by communicating with the furnace and thermostat. There is also the Frigidaire iQ Drive system that is the only fully modulating heat pump that can run up to 118% of capacity if needed for those bitterly cold days.
Then there are the geothermal heating and cooling products, which can cut all heating and cooling bills by 60 percent. Make sure you ask your contractor about them.
Perform Regular Furnace Tune-Ups
Did you know your furnace runs almost 1000 hours per year? If you imagine it running like a car at an average speed of 30mph, then you put an estimated 30,000 miles of use on your furnace every year.
“So many people will call asking why something has broken after 7-10 years,” says Smith. “I ask if they have ever performed maintenance and they say no! Would you expect your car to last without doing even a basic oil change after 7 to 10 years? It would be lucky to last a year or two.”
The simplest thing you can do is change out your filters about once every three months. Filters cost a third of the price of an oil change and can help improve your heating and cooling bills and increase the longevity of your furnace.
A more thorough “tune-up” should be performed about once every year. Maintenance can include everything from cleaning cabinets to testing electrical connections to adjusting burners and blowers for optimal efficiency. A contractor might also check the heat exchanger, inducer motor and venting for leaks that could spill harmful carbon monoxide into your home.
Finally, go with a contractor that offers a solid warranty. A minimum 5 year parts and labor warranty is a good bet for regular models, and 10 year parts and labor for higher end systems.
By applying these preventive measures, you can be sure your HVAC system will perform optimally year after year.
