Tips for Keeping Your Furnace Running Smoothly as Long as Possible
Your furnace works hard to keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long. However, like any other utility, it benefits from regular maintenance to ensure it performs its best and to avoid any inconvenient breakdowns. Taking care of your furnace ensures it lasts years longer, especially compared to one that is poorly maintained. It also means lower energy bills!
Here are some helpful steps to prolong the lifespan of your furnace and maintain peak performance for many years to come.
Replace the Filter Regularly
The filter captures dust, pet hair and other airborne particles to keep them out of the system’s more vulnerable components. Over time, the filter fills up with debris, obstructing ventilation and causing your furnace to operate less efficiently. This unnecessary effort may cause more problems and sometimes irreparable damage.
To maintain efficient performance, check and swap out the filter as needed, depending on total usage and the type of filter in place.
Invest in Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Another way to reduce your furnace’s overall 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, making it easier for your furnace to maintain a comfortable temperature. When your furnace runs efficiently, it undergoes less wear and tear, extending its lifespan.
Schedule Annual Preventative Maintenance
Annual maintenance from a certified HVAC professional supports your furnace’s reliable operation. During the appointment, your technician examines, cleans and otherwise optimizes the system for best performance. This proactive service helps identify small issues before they become something more serious, avoiding costly breakdowns. A regular tune-up also improves efficiency, lowering your monthly energy bills.
Tidy Up Around the Furnace
Keeping the area around your furnace clean ensures airflow and safe operation. Make sure the area is cleaned regularly and well clear of hazardous materials. This prevents fire hazards, ensuring your furnace circulates more efficiently.
Use a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat lets you set precise temperatures in your home, with features like scheduling automatic setbacks when you’re away or asleep. This cuts back on operating time, saving energy and helping preserve the system.
Address Any Repairs Immediately
If you start noticing strange sounds, uneven heating or unexpected utility spikes, don’t wait to check out these red flags. Even small malfunctions can rapidly evolve into more severe breakdowns. If left ignored, it could affect the total lifespan of your furnace. Prompt furnace repairs stop further damage and keep your system safe.
Ensure Balanced Airflow
Your furnace will only function best when the ventilation between supply and return vents is balanced. Obstructing the majority of your supply registers can result in heat buildup or force your furnace to work itself too hard. To help prevent any issues, make sure that all air vents are open and free from being blocked by any furniture. This enables your furnace to move air properly.
Set Your Furnace to a Reasonable Temperature
Setting your thermostat too high forces your furnace to work overtime, putting unnecessary strain on the entire system. This constant demand causes extra wear and tear. To minimize this kind of gradual damage, set your thermostat to an energy-efficient temperature—such as between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. You can additionally adjust the temperature by a few degrees while you’re away. These adjustments 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 outdated and breaks down more often, it may be time to replace it. Modern furnaces provide higher performance than ever while still reducing total power use. Although the initial investment may be higher than a repair, the total lifetime repair costs and increased efficiency make it a smart choice.
Trust Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for Reliable Furnace Maintenance
Taking care of your furnace avoids any premature, costly failures, maximizes efficiency and can even ensure a long service life. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing specializes in helping you enjoy a complete sense of comfort. Our experienced technicians offer fast, trustworthy service.
If it’s been a while since your last furnace tune-up or if you’re looking for customized recommendations to optimize your furnace, please contact us today!
