Ways to Help Extend Your Furnace’s Service Life
Your furnace works tirelessly to keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long. However, like any appliance, it does best with 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 makes it more likely to last years longer, especially compared to one left alone. It also means reduced heating costs!
Here are some practical tips to prolong the lifespan of your furnace and maintain peak performance for many years to come.
Replace the Filter Regularly
The filter blocks dust, pet hair and other airborne particles to stop them from reaching the system’s more vulnerable components. Over time, the filter gets clogged with debris, limiting air circulation and forcing your furnace to exert more effort. This extra wear and tear could result in more problems and sometimes more serious issues.
To maintain efficient performance, check and swap out the filter as needed, depending on your heating habits and the type of filter in place.
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 sealing around windows and doors will keep heat from escaping, allowing your furnace to reach a comfortable temperature. When your furnace runs efficiently, it suffers less wear and tear, increasing 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 inspects, services and otherwise tunes up the system for best performance. This preventative care helps identify small issues before they become something more serious, preventing costly repairs. 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 uncluttered promotes better airflow. Make sure the area is kept dust-free and well away from flammable materials. This avoids fire and similar safety risks, ensuring your furnace circulates more efficiently.
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 out or in bed. This cuts back on the time your system is running, cutting costs and helping preserve the system.
Don’t Put Off Furnace Repairs
If you begin to notice any odd humming, temperature inconsistencies or higher energy bills, don’t delay checking out these signs of trouble. Even small issues can gradually evolve into more severe breakdowns. If left unresolved, it could shorten the lifespan of your furnace. Prompt furnace repairs help avoid further damage and keep your system better protected.
Ensure Balanced Airflow
Your furnace will only function best when the ventilation between supply and return vents is balanced. Sealing off more than 80% of your supply registers can lead to excess strain or force your furnace to work harder. To help maintain good performance, make sure that your air vents are open and free from being blocked by any curtains. This allows your furnace to distribute heat efficiently.
Avoid Overworking Your Furnace
Setting your thermostat above normal forces your furnace to run way too much, putting unnecessary strain on the entire system. This added energy load causes reduced efficiency. To keep it running longer, set your thermostat to a seasonally appropriate temperature—for example between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. You can additionally adjust the temperature by a few degrees while you’re away. These strategies cut costs and lessen any strain on your furnace.
Invest in a Modern Furnace When the Time Is Right
As soon as your furnace is showing its age and needs more frequent repairs, it may be time to replace it. Modern furnaces provide improved performance while still reducing total power use. Although the initial investment may be higher than a repair, the long-term savings and better performance make it worthwhile.
Rely on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to Maintain Your Furnace’s Health
Properly servicing your furnace reduces the risk of malfunctions, maximizes efficiency and can even promote a longer service life. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing specializes in helping you enjoy a comfortable home environment. Our certified technicians offer fast, truly Expert 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!
