Questions We’re Frequently Asked
About System Health & Maintenance…
Q: How long can I expect a new furnace or air conditioner to last?
A: With the qualified technicians at Stan’s Air Systems performing regular preventative maintenance and service, industry averages suggest that an air conditioner should last 12-15 years and a gas furnace should last 20-25 years.
Q: What are some preventative maintenance procedures I should be aware of?
A: With the proper attention, heating and cooling systems can keep you comfortable year-round. Heat pumps, oil-fired furnaces, and boilers need a yearly professional tune-up. Gas-fired equipment burns cleaner and can be serviced every other year. A close inspection will uncover leaks, soot, rust, rot, corroded electrical contacts and frayed wires. Depending on the system you have installed, the inspection will also cover the chimney, ductwork or pipes, dampers or valves, blower or pump, registers or radiators, the fuel line and the gas meter or oil tank — as well as every part of the furnace or boiler itself.
The system is then run through a full heating cycle to ensure that it has plenty of combustion and draft. Finally, cleaning the burner and heat exchanger will remove soot and other built-up materials to ensure a smooth operation. A check of the heat pump should include inspection of the compressor, fan, indoor and outdoor coils and refrigerant lines, indoor and outdoor coils should be cleaned, and the refrigerant pressure is checked.
Q: What about regular maintenance I should handle?
Humidifier — A neglected in-duct humidifier can breed mildew and bacteria, along with adding too much moisture in your home. A common mistake is leaving them on after the heating season ends. Don’t forget to pull the plug, shut the water valve and drain the unit. A unit with a water reservoir should be drained and cleaned with white vinegar, a mix of one part chlorine bleach to eight parts water or muriatic acid. The mist-type humidifier also requires regular cleaning to remove mineral deposits.
Filters — Most house have a standard furnace filter, made of loosely woven spun-glass fibers designed to keep the furnace and ductwork clean, but they don’t improve indoor air quality. That takes a media filter, which sits between the main return duct and the blower cabinet. Made of a deeply pleated, paper-like material, media filters remove dust and other particles at least seven times better than standard filters. A pleated media filter can cleanse the air of everything from insecticide dust to flu viruses. The tight weave of a media filter can restrict your furnace’s ability to blow air through the house, so choose a filter that matches your blower’s capacity to ensure a strong, steady airflow.
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