Ways to Help Extend Your Furnace’s Service Life
Your furnace works tirelessly to keep your home nice and warm all winter long. Still, like any appliance, it should be given consistent upkeep to ensure it runs as efficiently as possible and to avoid any inconvenient breakdowns. Maintaining your furnace makes it more likely to last years longer, especially compared to one that is poorly maintained. It also means more affordable energy use!
Here are some practical tips to extend the lifespan of your furnace and maintain peak performance for many winters to come.
Swap Out Your Furnace Filter When Recommended
The filter captures dirt, fur and other airborne airborne contaminants to keep them out of the system’s more delicate components. Over time, the filter fills up with debris, limiting air circulation and making your furnace to operate less efficiently. This added strain can lead to overheating and sometimes more serious issues.
To maintain efficient performance, check and change the filter around every 1 to 3 months, depending on total usage and the type of filter installed.
Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Another way to reduce your furnace’s total workload is to take what steps you can to boost your home’s energy efficiency. Proper insulation and sealing around windows and doors will keep heat from escaping, allowing your furnace to maintain a comfortable temperature. As long as your furnace runs efficiently, it experiences less wear and tear, increasing its lifespan.
Keep Up with Routine HVAC Maintenance
Annual maintenance from a certified HVAC professional ensures your furnace’s overall health. During the appointment, your technician checks, cleans and otherwise tunes up the system for best performance. This regular preventive maintenance detects 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 space around your furnace clear ensures airflow and safe operation. Make sure the area is clean and well clear of hazardous materials. This prevents fire hazards, 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 not home or sleeping. This cuts back on the time your system is running, saving energy and helping preserve the system.
Address Any Repairs Immediately
If you start noticing strange sounds, uneven heating or higher energy bills, don’t delay checking out these red flags. Even small issues can gradually 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 running.
Maintain Proper Circulation
Your furnace will only function best when the airflow between supply and return vents is well-regulated. Obstructing too many of your supply registers can cause overheating or force your furnace to work harder. To help maintain good performance, regularly check that your air vents are open and free from being blocked by any curtains. This allows 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 extra wear and tear. To minimize this kind of gradual damage, set your thermostat to an energy-efficient temperature—such as between 68 and 72 degrees F. You can alternatively adjust the temperature by around 8-10° while you’re asleep or on a trip. These simple changes save energy and lessen any strain on your furnace.
Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Model
As soon as your furnace is showing its age and breaks down more often, it may be time to consider a new model. Modern furnaces feature higher performance than ever 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 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 promote a longer service life. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is committed to helping you enjoy a complete sense of comfort. Our licensed technicians provide prompt, trustworthy service.
If it’s been a while since your last maintenance visit or if you’re looking for more personalized advice to strengthen your furnace, please contact us today!
