How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Furnace and Avoid Breakdowns
Your furnace works hard to keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long. But, like any appliance, it benefits from routine care from trained technicians to ensure it performs its best and to reduce the risk of any inconvenient breakdowns. Maintaining your furnace ensures it lasts years longer, especially compared to a neglected system. It also means more affordable energy use!
Here are some helpful steps to extend the lifespan of your furnace and keep it running more efficiently for many winters to come.
Replace the Filter Regularly
The filter captures debris, animal dander and other airborne allergens to keep them out of the system’s more delicate components. Over time, the filter becomes blocked with debris, obstructing ventilation and making your furnace to exert more effort. This unnecessary effort may cause more problems and sometimes more serious issues.
To maintain efficient performance, remember to check and change the filter on a regular basis, depending on total usage and the type of filter you use.
Invest in Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Another way to reduce your furnace’s overall workload is to take what steps you can to boost your home’s energy efficiency. Proper insulation and other sealing accessories around windows and doors will reduce heat loss, making it easier for your furnace to maintain a comfortable temperature. When your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard, it experiences less wear and tear, extending its lifespan.
Keep Up with Routine HVAC Maintenance
Annual maintenance from a certified HVAC professional helps promote your furnace’s reliable operation. During the appointment, a technician inspects, services and otherwise optimizes the system for best performance. This regular preventive maintenance spots small issues sooner rather than later, preventing costly repairs. A regular inspection also improves efficiency, saving you more money on energy bills.
Tidy Up Around the Furnace
Keeping the area around your furnace uncluttered encourages 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 efficiently.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
A smart thermostat gives you more control than ever in your home, with features like scheduling automatic setbacks when you’re away or sleeping. This limits the time your system is running, cutting costs and helping preserve the system.
Address Any Repairs Immediately
If you start noticing odd humming, uneven heating or unexpected utility spikes, don’t delay checking out these concerns. Even small issues can rapidly develop into more severe situations. If left unchecked, it could reduce the overall service life of your furnace. Prompt furnace repairs stop further damage and keep your system running.
Keep All Vents and Registers Unblocked
Your furnace will only operate at its best when the airflow between supply and return vents is balanced. Obstructing more than 80% 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 all air vents are open and free from being blocked by any furniture. This allows your furnace to distribute heat efficiently.
Avoid Overworking Your Furnace
Setting your thermostat above normal forces your furnace to work overtime, putting extra wear on the entire system. This added energy load leads to reduced efficiency. To minimize this kind of gradual damage, set your thermostat to a seasonally appropriate temperature—ideally between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. You can additionally adjust the temperature by a few degrees while you’re sleeping. These strategies save energy 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 breaks down more often, it may be time to replace it. Modern furnaces offer higher performance than ever while still lowering heating costs. 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
Maintaining your furnace prevents breakdowns, improves long-term performance and can even extend its total potential lifespan. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing takes pride in helping you enjoy a comfortable home environment. Our experienced technicians offer prompt, truly Expert service.
If it’s been a while since your last heating tune-up or if you’re looking for customized recommendations to maximize your furnace, please contact us today!
