How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Furnace and Avoid Breakdowns
Your furnace is working round the clock to keep your home at a warm, comfortable temperature all winter long. Still, 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. Taking care of your furnace ensures it lasts years longer, especially compared to one left alone. It also means more affordable energy use!
Here are some useful suggestions to maximize the lifespan of your furnace and maintain peak performance for many winters to come.
Change the Filter on a Regular Basis
The filter captures dirt, animal dander and other airborne allergens to stop them from reaching the system’s more sensitive components. Over time, the filter gets clogged with debris, obstructing ventilation and forcing your furnace to work harder. This unnecessary effort can lead to overheating and sometimes more serious issues.
To avoid those kinds of problems, remember to check and swap out the filter around every 1 to 3 months, depending on your heating habits and the type of filter you use.
Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Another way to minimize your furnace’s potential workload is to take what steps you can to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Proper insulation and other sealing accessories around windows and doors will keep heat from escaping, allowing your furnace to hold a comfortable temperature. When your furnace operates more easily, it suffers less wear and tear, extending its lifespan.
Schedule Annual Preventative Maintenance
Annual maintenance from a certified HVAC professional helps promote your furnace’s long-term performance. During the appointment, a technician examines, services and otherwise optimizes the system for best performance. This regular preventive maintenance helps identify small issues before they escalate, avoiding costly repairs. A regular inspection also improves efficiency, lowering your monthly energy bills.
Maintain a Clean Space Around the Furnace
Keeping the space around your furnace clear encourages airflow and safe operation. Make sure the area is kept dust-free and not near any hazardous materials. This avoids any safety issues, 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 not home or asleep. This reduces run time, lowering your energy bill and helping preserve the system.
Don’t Put Off Furnace Repairs
If you notice odd humming, stubborn cold spots or unexpected utility spikes, don’t delay checking out these concerns. Even small issues can rapidly evolve into more severe breakdowns. If left unresolved, it could reduce the overall service life of your furnace. Prompt furnace repairs can prevent further damage and keep your system safe.
Maintain Proper Circulation
Your furnace will only operate at its best when the circulation between supply and return vents is evenly distributed. Sealing off too many of your supply registers can cause heat buildup or force your furnace to work harder. To help keep things running smoothly, regularly check that the air vents are open and free from being blocked by any furniture. This enables your furnace to move air properly.
Choose Energy-Efficient Temperature Settings
Setting your thermostat too high forces your furnace to run constantly, putting extra wear on the entire system. This constant demand results in reduced efficiency. To minimize this kind of gradual damage, set your thermostat to an energy-efficient temperature—such as between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also adjust the temperature by around 8-10° while you’re asleep or on a trip. These strategies reduce total heating expenses and reduce further stress on your furnace.
Consider Replacing an Old Furnace
When your furnace is outdated and requires seemingly constant maintenance, it may be time to consider a new model. Modern furnaces feature improved performance while still lowering heating costs. Although the pricetag may be higher than a repair, the smaller utility bills and increased efficiency make it a cost-effective, practical solution.
Trust Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for Reliable Furnace Maintenance
Taking care of your furnace avoids any premature, costly failures, improves long-term performance and can even extend its total potential lifespan. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing takes pride in helping you keep a complete sense of comfort. Our certified technicians offer prompt, trustworthy service.
If it’s been a while since your last furnace tune-up or if you’re looking for more personalized advice to maximize your furnace, please contact us today!