Tips for Keeping Your Furnace Running Smoothly as Long as Possible
Your furnace works tirelessly to keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long. But, like any other utility, it should be given routine care from trained technicians to ensure it performs its best and to reduce the risk of any inconvenient breakdowns. Proper maintenance for your furnace can help it last years longer, especially compared to one that is poorly maintained. It also means lower energy bills!
Here are some practical tips to extend the lifespan of your furnace and ensure the best operation for many winters to come.
Replace the Filter Regularly
The filter traps dust, pet hair and other airborne allergens to stop them from reaching the system’s more delicate components. Over time, the filter gets clogged with debris, obstructing ventilation and making your furnace to exert more effort. This extra wear and tear could result in more problems and sometimes permanent system damage.
To keep things running smoothly, check and swap out the filter as needed, depending on total usage and the type of filter installed.
Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Another way to lessen your furnace’s total workload is to take what steps you can to enhance your home’s energy efficiency. Proper insulation and sealing around windows and doors will reduce heat loss, allowing your furnace to reach a comfortable temperature. Whenever your furnace runs efficiently, it experiences less wear and tear, extending its lifespan.
Schedule Annual Preventative Maintenance
Annual maintenance from a certified HVAC professional helps promote your furnace’s reliable operation. During the appointment, the technician checks, services and otherwise tunes up the system for best performance. This preventative care detects small issues before they escalate, preventing costly breakdowns. A regular inspection also improves efficiency, cutting your monthly heating costs.
Tidy Up Around the Furnace
Keeping the space around your furnace clear ensures better airflow. Make sure the area is cleaned regularly and not near any flammable materials. This avoids fire and similar safety risks, ensuring your furnace circulates more effectively.
Consider Trying a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat gives you more control than ever in your home, through features such as scheduling automatic setbacks when you’re out or sleeping. This cuts back on operating time, cutting costs and helping preserve the system.
Address Any Repairs Immediately
If you start noticing odd humming, uneven heating or higher energy bills, don’t postpone looking into these red flags. Even small issues can rapidly become more severe breakdowns. If left unresolved, it could affect the total lifespan of your furnace. Prompt furnace repairs stop further damage and keep your system safe.
Ensure Balanced Airflow
Your furnace will only function best when the airflow between supply and return vents is balanced. Obstructing too many of your supply registers can result in overheating or force your furnace to exert more effort than it should. To help prevent any issues, regularly check that the air vents are open and free from being blocked by any rugs. This allows your furnace to move air as intended.
Choose Energy-Efficient Temperature Settings
Setting your thermostat above normal forces your furnace to run constantly, putting extra wear on the entire system. This constant demand results in extra wear and tear. To minimize this kind of gradual damage, set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature—ideally between 68-72° F. You can additionally adjust the temperature by a few degrees while you’re sleeping. These adjustments reduce total heating expenses and lessen any strain on your furnace.
Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Model
If your furnace is outdated and requires seemingly constant maintenance, it may be time to consider a new model. Modern furnaces offer higher performance than ever while still reducing total power use. Although the initial investment may be higher than a repair, the total lifetime repair costs and better performance make it a smart choice.
Choose Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to Keep Your Furnace Running
Maintaining your furnace avoids any premature, costly failures, enhances its day-to-day operation and can even extend its total potential lifespan. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is committed to helping you maintain a complete sense of comfort. Our experienced technicians provide prompt, trustworthy service.
If it’s been a while since your last maintenance visit or if you’re interested in customized recommendations to strengthen your furnace, please contact us today!
