How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Furnace and Avoid Breakdowns
Your furnace works hard to keep your home nice and warm all winter long. But, just like with other mechanical systems, it should be given routine care from trained technicians to ensure it runs as efficiently as possible and to avoid any inconvenient breakdowns. Proper maintenance for your furnace can help it last years longer, especially compared to one left alone. It also means more affordable energy use!
Here are some practical tips to extend the lifespan of your furnace and ensure the best operation for many years to come.
Replace the Filter Regularly
The filter traps dust, fur and other airborne allergens to prevent them from entering the system’s more sensitive components. Over time, the filter gets clogged with debris, obstructing ventilation and making your furnace to operate less efficiently. This extra wear and tear could result in furnace troubles and sometimes more serious issues.
To keep things running smoothly, don’t forget to check and change the filter as needed, depending on how often you use the system and the type of filter you use.
Invest in Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Another way to lessen 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 minimize any heat loss, allowing your furnace to reach a comfortable temperature. Whenever your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard, it suffers less wear and tear, extending its lifespan.
Schedule Yearly HVAC Tune-Ups
Annual maintenance from a certified HVAC professional ensures your furnace’s reliable operation. During the appointment, your technician inspects, cleans and otherwise tunes up the system for best performance. This regular preventive maintenance detects small issues before they escalate, avoiding costly failures. A regular inspection also improves efficiency, saving you more money on energy bills.
Maintain a Clean Space Around the Furnace
Keeping the space around your furnace clean ensures better airflow. Make sure the area is clean and not near any hazardous materials. This prevents fire hazards, ensuring your furnace circulates more smoothly.
Use a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat allows you to truly fine-tune the heating in your home, with features like scheduling automatic setbacks when you’re not home or sleeping. This cuts back on the time your system is running, cutting costs and helping preserve the system.
Fix Problems as Soon as You Notice
If you notice unusual noises, stubborn cold spots or rising heating costs, don’t postpone looking into these signs of trouble. Even small malfunctions can rapidly develop into more severe situations. If left ignored, it could reduce the overall service life of your furnace. Prompt furnace repairs stop further damage and keep your system safe.
Maintain Proper Circulation
Your furnace will only operate at its best when the ventilation between supply and return vents is evenly distributed. Blocking or closing the majority of your supply registers can cause overheating or force your furnace to work itself too hard. To help prevent any issues, regularly check that the air vents are open and free from being blocked by any furniture. This enables your furnace to circulate warmth properly.
Avoid Overworking Your Furnace
Setting your thermostat beyond energy-efficient levels forces your furnace to work overtime, putting excess stress on the entire system. This added energy load results in extra wear and tear. To minimize this kind of gradual damage, set your thermostat to an energy-efficient temperature—for example between 68 and 72 degrees F. You can also adjust the temperature by 8 to 10 degrees while you’re asleep or on a trip. These strategies reduce total heating expenses and prevent any excess wear on your furnace.
Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Model
As soon as your furnace is old and requires seemingly constant maintenance, it may be time to replace it. Modern furnaces feature improved performance while still reducing total power use. Although the pricetag may be higher than a repair, the total lifetime repair costs and better performance make it a smart choice.
Rely on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to Maintain Your Furnace’s Health
Maintaining your furnace avoids any premature, costly failures, maximizes efficiency and can even extend its total potential lifespan. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is committed to helping you enjoy a comfortable home environment. Our licensed technicians deliver prompt, truly Expert service.
If it’s been a while since your last furnace tune-up or if you’re looking for customized recommendations to strengthen your furnace, please contact us today!
