"Twenty years with the same HVAC is pretty wild...mine barely made it past ten before it started sounding like a dying lawnmower."
Honestly, I wonder if it's less about luck and more about maintenance habits. I've flipped houses where the HVAC was ancient but ran smoother than newer units because the previous owners were meticulous about upkeep. On the squirrel front though, I feel your pain—once had a family of raccoons move into an attic. Sealed every gap imaginable, but they still found their way back in somehow... crafty little critters. Maybe old houses just have secret animal portals we don't know about yet?
Sealed every gap imaginable, but they still found their way back in somehow... crafty little critters.
Yeah, maintenance definitely plays a huge role. My parents' HVAC lasted almost 25 years, but my dad was obsessive about changing filters and having it serviced regularly. Meanwhile, I neglected mine for just a few years and suddenly it sounded like it was chewing gravel...lesson learned. As for the raccoons, I swear they have secret lockpicking skills or something—had one open a supposedly "raccoon-proof" garbage can once. Crafty indeed.
"I swear they have secret lockpicking skills or something"
Haha, seriously... raccoons are like furry little burglars. Have you tried setting up a motion-activated camera? Might help pinpoint exactly how they're sneaking in—plus, bonus entertainment footage for later.
Twenty years with the same HVAC is impressive—I'd say you're definitely doing something right. Regular maintenance probably played a big role, but a bit of luck never hurts either. My neighbor had a similar run with theirs, about 18 years I think, and when it finally broke down, they found out squirrels had been nesting inside the outdoor unit. Talk about furry burglars... raccoons aren't the only ones with sneaky skills!
If you're looking to keep that streak going, maybe double-check around your HVAC for any signs of critter activity. A quick look every now and then can help catch issues early. Also, don't underestimate the power of cleaning or replacing filters regularly—it's a small task that really extends the lifespan of your system. Either way, congrats on hitting that milestone; here's hoping you squeeze a few more years out of it.
Twenty years is solid, but have you thought about efficiency? Older units can be real energy hogs... ever checked your bills lately to see if they're creeping up? Regular maintenance definitely helps lifespan, but upgrading to something more efficient might save you money (and the planet) in the long run. Also, speaking of critters—ever had mice chew through wiring? Happened to a client of mine once, total nightmare. Might wanna peek inside occasionally just in case.