FAQ

Regardless of the type of HVAC system you have, you should have it inspected, cleaned, and serviced annually. In the same way that cars need routine maintenance, regular HVAC maintenance helps to prevent the need for repairs.
Of course, maintenance of your HVAC is best scheduled before the season you’ll be needing it the most.

So for your heating system, schedule maintenance in the fall, before winter arrives. For your air conditioner, do this in spring. HVAC professionals will be less likely to be taking emergency calls during these times, allowing for convenient maintenance.

One easy way to determine the right size HVAC system for your home is to simply consult with an HVAC dealer. They can do the calculations on the spot if you can tell them your home’s square footage.

If you need to do the calculations yourself, just remember that the average home consumes 25 BTUs (British Thermal Units) per square foot. So to figure out how many units you need for your home, simply multiply the square footage by 25 — this will be your base BTU. Once you have the BTU requirements, there are two more calculations. To get the tonnage you’ll need for air conditioning, divide BTU by 12,000. In the case of heating, divide the BTU by the unit’s efficiency.

If you ask an HVAC specialist, they’ll likely say the average HVAC system can last between 10 to 25 years. While this is technically true, the reality is that there is no simple answer. That’s because the quality of the installation and how you use and maintain your system will greatly affect its lifespan. For instance, people who live in an area that experiences extreme heat might run their AC more often than is typical, risking more wear and tear.

To make matters more complicated, different components, like furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, and water heaters, have different lifespans.