How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Furnace and Avoid Breakdowns
Your furnace is working round the clock to keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long. But, like any appliance, it benefits from regular maintenance to ensure it performs its best and to hopefully prevent any inconvenient breakdowns. Maintaining your furnace can help it last years longer, especially compared to one that is poorly maintained. It also means reduced heating costs!
Here are some helpful steps to maximize the lifespan of your furnace and ensure the best operation for many winters to come.
Change the Filter on a Regular Basis
The filter traps dirt, pet hair and other airborne airborne contaminants to stop them from reaching the system’s more sensitive components. Over time, the filter fills up with debris, obstructing ventilation and causing your furnace to work harder. This extra wear and tear may cause more problems 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 how often you use the system and the type of filter you use.
Reduce Your Home’s Energy Loss
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 other sealing accessories around windows and doors will minimize any heat loss, allowing your furnace to maintain a comfortable temperature. As long as your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard, it experiences less wear and tear, prolonging its lifespan.
Schedule Annual Preventative Maintenance
Annual maintenance from a certified HVAC professional helps promote your furnace’s long-term performance. During the appointment, the technician examines, services and otherwise optimizes the system for best performance. This preventative care detects small issues before they escalate, avoiding costly repairs. A regular tune-up also reduces energy waste, lowering your monthly energy bills.
Maintain a Clean Space Around the Furnace
Keeping the area around your furnace uncluttered encourages steady, unobstructed airflow. Make sure the area is cleaned regularly and well clear of hazardous materials. This prevents fire hazards, ensuring your furnace performs more efficiently.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
A smart thermostat lets you set precise temperatures in your home, with features like scheduling automatic setbacks when you’re not home or in bed. This limits operating time, cutting costs and helping preserve the system.
Fix Problems as Soon as You Notice
If you notice odd humming, uneven heating or rising heating costs, don’t delay checking out these concerns. Even small malfunctions can gradually develop into more severe breakdowns. If left unchecked, it could shorten the lifespan of your furnace. Prompt furnace repairs help avoid further damage and keep your system running.
Ensure Balanced Airflow
Your furnace will only operate at its best when the circulation between supply and return vents is well-regulated. Obstructing the majority of your supply registers can result in heat buildup or force your furnace to work itself too hard. To help maintain good performance, make sure that your air vents are open and free from being blocked by any rugs. This enables your furnace to circulate warmth as intended.
Set Your Furnace to a Reasonable Temperature
Setting your thermostat too high forces your furnace to run way too much, putting unnecessary strain on the entire system. This increased workload causes reduced efficiency. To minimize this kind of gradual damage, set your thermostat to an energy-efficient temperature—such as between 68-72° F. You can alternatively adjust the temperature by a few degrees while you’re away. These simple changes save energy and prevent any excess wear on your furnace.
Consider Replacing an Old Furnace
When your furnace is outdated and breaks down more often, it may be time to replace it. Modern furnaces offer improved performance while reducing energy consumption. Although the initial investment 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
Properly servicing your furnace avoids any premature, costly failures, improves long-term performance and can even ensure a long service life. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is committed to helping you keep a comfortable home environment. Our experienced technicians offer fast, trustworthy service.
If it’s been a while since your last heating tune-up or if you’re looking for more personalized advice to strengthen your furnace, please contact us today!
