When it comes to the sweltering, humid summers and the ever-fluctuating winters of Southeast Georgia, a functioning, powerful HVAC unit is essential to maintaining the comfort of the residents of Georgia. When the outside temperature runs high, you’ll want to stay cool! And when frost begins to collect on the ground, beat the chill with a system you know can handle whatever you throw at it!
When you put your HVAC unit through the wringer, you want an HVAC company that can handle the heat. At Deal’s Heating & Air, we bring years of experience and a professional understanding of HVAC systems that we have used throughout Southeast Georgia. We ensure homes and businesses can handle the heat and beat the cold. We’ll guide you through the lifespan of an AC unit, what can shorten it, and, most importantly, how you can ensure it lives a long life!
What is the Lifespan of an HVAC Unit?
A well-maintained system can last a long time—unfortunately, having a well-maintained system isn’t an easy feat. Many things can cause your system’s lifespan to decrease, sometimes dying only a few years after installation.
Maintaining an HVAC system in Southeast Georgia can be challenging for residents who must deal with Georgia’s rapidly fluctuating temperatures. Humidity and heat are two of the most common enemies of a long-lived HVAC unit, and Southeast Georgia has both in spades. Moreover, rapid fluctuations in temperature, as are common during winter, also put a strain on the internal workings of your HVAC unit.
High temperatures force your system to work harder to maintain the temperatures that keep you comfortable. This can only get worse if you run your system inefficiently, such as keeping doors or windows open while you run your system or attempting to cool an area with an AC unit that is too weak for the space.
Humidity may be an afterthought for many residents, but in truth, it can be the worst culprit in the death of your AC unit. High humidity can make things feel hotter despite the temperature not changing at all. This will force you to lower your AC’s temperature to maintain your comfort, which only forces your system to work harder. Furthermore, high humidity can turn your AC into a vector for mold and mildew growth, which will severely impact your indoor air quality and could cause health problems for your family.
Rapid Temperature Fluctuations damage your system by forcing it to shift between its highs and lows throughout the day with no rest, straining the internal motors and compressors while also forcing your system to use more energy to maintain your comfort levels. While the weather grows colder, you may sigh in relief, thinking that you no longer need to worry about straining your system trying to beat the Georgian summers. Unfortunately, Georgia’s autumns and winters are known for shifting between under-freezing temperatures all the way up to summer-like 80s within the same day. You’ll soon discover that you’ve just traded one extreme energy sink for another.
But it’s not just the Georgia climate that can impact your HVAC systems. Did you know how cutting corners can hurt your HVAC unit? You may actually waste more money by trying to save it if you:
- Fail to choose a system that suits your areas and needs, such as using an improperly sized system.
- Try to save money through a cheap installation (or worse, a DIY installation)
- Neglect a routine assessment of your HVAC unit system
Improve Your HVAC Unit’s Lifespan with Routine Maintenance
Thankfully, for the residents of Georgia, there are some steps you can take to improve your HVAC unit’s lifespan. One of the most important is to set a routine maintenance schedule. Not only will this help avoid nasty surprises, it will also help extend the life of your unit. At Deal’s Heating and Air, we offer a preventative maintenance program called the Deal’s Comfort Club program to our customers. The Comfort Club makes it easy to get your unit maintained regularly, and you’ll also get 15% off labor!
During your preventative maintenance check, your technician will:
- Test thermostat calibration
- Measure supply and return air temperature
- Replace or clean the air filter
- Clean indoor and outdoor coil, condensate drain pan and drains, debris, and leaves on outdoor unit cabinet
- Check ductwork and connections for leaks
- Inspect and tighten wiring connections
- Measure voltage and amperage
- Test operation of electrical controls and system operation
- Test safety controls and adjust the operating sequence where appropriate
- Lubricate motors and bearings if required
- Inspect fan motor and blades for damages and wear & tear
- Inspect the compressor and associated tubing
- Measure refrigerant pressure, and if low, find the leak
- Examine belts, adjust and align as required
- Inspect blowers for proper balance and operation
- Check and test emergency or secondary heat
- Test heat pump defrost cycle
- Test crankcase heater
- Clean the burner assembly
- Measure the CO level of supply air
- Clean the flue vent or clear of debris
- Remove soot or debris from the fireside of the burner
- Visually or with a remote camera, inspect the heat exchanger for cracks
- Adjust gas pressure if needed
- Test fire-off cycle
- Test-induced draft motor
- Clean flame sensor
Choose the Right HVAC System
Choosing the right HVAC system for your home can be one of the best decisions you can make to ensure that your system lasts a long time and that your energy bills don’t skyrocket. A poorly suited unit will be forced to work overtime to heat or cool your building if it isn’t strong enough. This inefficiency results in higher bills and damages to your HVAC unit.
Choosing a system designed for the Georgia climate and your personal needs can reduce the number of repair calls you need to make in the long run. A system designed with your needs in mind can also better assist you in developing an energy efficiency plan that will save you money on bills and repairs!
Think Smarter, Not Harder
If developing an energy efficiency plan seems too complicated with your current system, the best way to improve your inefficient energy usage patterns (especially as winter approaches) is to install a smart thermostat!
Smart thermostats strike a balance between comfort and efficiency by tracking your energy usage, your daily schedule, and the areas you frequent within your home. Using this information, either you or it can develop a plan that allows you a comfortable house without straining your system. While often more expensive at installation, these can save you money in the long run as your energy bills run cheaper and your repair costs go down.
Get Your System Serviced by Professional HVAC Technicians
Whether you’re installing a new unit after your last one died or just trying to maintain your current system, using a trusted, reputable HVAC company is imperative to ensure your system lasts! At Deal’s Heating and Air, we’re familiar with what kills AC units and know how to safeguard yours from a grisly fate.
Our Comfort Club is the perfect solution for any Georgia resident seeking to extend the life of their unit. We’ll work with you to set up a planned HVAC maintenance agreement (PMA) that provides regularly scheduled maintenance for heating and AC units at a 15% discount on parts and labor. Our skilled technicians will visit twice a year to check the efficiency of your system and nip any developing problems in the bud. You’ll be prepared no matter the season!
Deal’s Heating & Air is a locally owned and operated HVAC company that has been servicing the Bulloch community and its surrounding areas since 1975. We have experience with the local climate and the woes that face our neighbors as they try to beat the heat and fight the cold. We’ll gladly assist you with any of your HVAC needs, whether residential or commercial.
Our service areas include Statesboro, Brooklet, Sylvania, Claxton, Metter, Millen, Pembroke, Portal, Register, Rocky Ford, and Twin City. Contact us today if you need assistance with your AC unit today.
