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Ashburn VA Building Ductwork and Ventilation That May Need top HVAC Repair Services

HVAC Awareness: Parts & Their Lifespans

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Homeowners who have a malfunctioning HVAC system should research it and determine whether a professional HVAC repair or replacement offers better value. While the lifespan of any given part depends on its system’s type, daily usage, and maintenance, the industry has some general guidelines. For instance, compressors typically last between 10-15 years, furnaces 16-20 years, and window units 8-10 years (most models last 2-5 more years if maintained).

For all your HVAC questions, repairs, and installations, reach out to RA Dobson. We are the Ashburn, VA, region’s provider of heating, cooling, and plumbing services. A second-generation family business with over 45 years of industry experience, we have a deep connection to our community and customers. Our team offers a wide range of services that includes heat pump installation, duct cleaning, thermostat repair, and more. To learn more or get a free estimate, contact us today.

Below, we outline HVAC system types, parts, and their expected lifespans:

Air Conditioner Components

All home HVAC systems operate by exchanging interior and exterior air. The air conditioning function, in particular, is designed to pull warm air from inside and release it outside. It does so using the following parts: 

  • Evaporator – housed within the interior-facing portion of the unit, the evaporator cools indoor air using a copper tubing coil and aluminum fins.
  • Condenser – also made of a copper tubing coil, the exterior-facing condenser releases the unit’s collected heat outside.
     
  • Compressor – a pump that moves refrigerant fluid between the evaporator and condenser as well as their copper tubing.
  • Refrigerant fluid – a liquid pumped into the evaporator, where it pulls heat from the interior air by evaporating, to the condenser, where it releases heat and reverts back to a liquid.

Heating Components

In addition to their cooling capacities, many HVAC systems include heating functionality. Heating applies the air transfer principle, outlined above, in reverse: warm air is pulled from outside and released inside. However, when outdoor air becomes colder than the indoors, the HVAC system warms incoming air using one of two devices: 

  • Furnace – using natural gas, oil, or electricity, furnaces heat the air from outside then release it into ductwork that distributes it throughout a structure.
  • Boiler – instead of heating air, boilers heat water into steam that then warms the interior.

Heat pumps and geothermal heating systems are also used in homes, but they are far less common than furnaces and boilers.

HVAC repair in Ashburn VA

The Lifespan of HVAC Systems & Parts

So, how long do all these systems (and their components) last? As mentioned above, the lifespan of each depends on its system’s daily usage and design. However, the following guidelines can give you a sense of their endurance: 

  • Central HVAC – the “traditional” form of heating and cooling, central HVAC systems combine heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) functionalities. Each element of these systems has a different lifespan: furnaces tend to last 16-20 years while central air conditioners last 12-15. On the other hand, boilers last 10-15 years.
  • Air conditioning window units – estimates for window unit lifespans vary widely. Some sources place it at an average of 10 years while others 8 years. However, all agree that you can extend your unit’s life with regular maintenance.
  • Air conditioner parts – on top of unit lifespans, individual parts in air conditioners can fail. Compressors, for instance, last between 10-15 years. However, this means that you can replace a part without replacing the whole unit.

HVAC Repair and Maintenance Services Available in Ashburn, VA

While HVAC systems come in many types that contain myriad components, learning about them pays off. You’ll know when to call for HVAC repair services and when you need a full HVAC system replacement. No matter the situation, turn to RA Dobson for all your home services needs. We specialize in heating, air conditioning, and plumbing services but also offer support with generators, humidifiers, and more. We’ve served the Ashburn, VA, area for 45 years, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with this community. For more information or to schedule a service, call us today at (703) 481-3700 or fill out our online form.

air cleaning Sterling VA

3 Key Benefits of An Aprilaire Air Purifier

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There are many issues in our homes that may seem marginal compared to others, but can have a tremendous impact on you and your family. One such issue is your home’s indoor air quality, which according to the EPA, does affect the comfort and health of families and individuals.

In order to ensure that your home’s air quality is at its purest and healthiest levels, consider an accurate indoor air evaluation or thorough air cleaning service from R.A. Dobson of Sterling, VA.

We have over forty years of experience in the heating, cooling, and air quality industry, providing expert maintenance services at affordable rates, as well as high-quality HVAC products, such as the Aprilaire Air Purifier, which are among the best budget home air cleaners available.

Here are three significant benefits in owning an Aprilaire Air Purifier:

Protects Your HVAC System

One of the advantages of having an Aprilaire Air Purifier as a component of your HVAC system is that it will secure the integrity and longevity of your whole system.

Components and vents that are covered and clogged with dust and other contaminants result in your HVAC system becoming less efficient.

An Aprilaire Air Purifier will filter out any and all contaminants from the air flowing through your ventilation system, making sure that it remains at peak efficiency.

Prevents Allergies and Illnesses

Aprilaire’s highly-effective air purifier will not only sustain the condition of your HVAC system but also the condition of your health. There are numerous allergies and illnesses that are tied to the quality of the air.

Its effect on your health can range from causing mild irritation, due to contaminants flowing through your ventilation system, to severe sickness caused by unfiltered air spreading airborne bacteria or viruses throughout your house.

Therefore, having an Aprilaire Air Purifier can ensure you and your family are safe and comfortable from bothersome allergy symptoms and debilitating illnesses like the flu.

Improves Overall Indoor Air Quality

On top of protecting your health and the condition of your HVAC system, an Aprilaire Air Purifier will effectively improve your home’s air quality, which carries a number of combined benefits.

These include less trouble breathing, as the pure, clean air flowing through your home will contain far fewer allergens and contaminants, and greater chances of preventing mold and mildew growth within your home. The benefits of having better indoor air quality makes installing an Aprilaire Air Purifier a worthwhile investment.

R.A. Dobson: Professional-Quality Air Cleaning Service in Sterling, VA

While it may not seem like an immediate necessity for your home, it is important to understand that investing in an Aprilaire Air Purifier can improve your home’s air quality, as well as you and your family’s  quality of living.

To get an air purifier, or any HVAC product installation and quality air cleaning service at an affordable rate, call a reputable company such as R.A. Dobson of Sterling, VA. With over forty-five years of service experience to countless customers across Northern Virginia, our highly-trained technicians are prepared to assist with all of your heating and cooling needs.

Contact us at (703) 481-3700 for more information on our expert services and HVAC products.