How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Furnace
Your furnace works tirelessly to keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long. But, like any appliance, it should be given regular maintenance to ensure it performs its best and to avoid any inconvenient breakdowns. Maintaining your furnace can help it last years longer, especially compared to one left alone. It also means more affordable energy use!
1. Maintain a Clean Space Around the Furnace
Keeping the area around your furnace clean ensures 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 performs more effectively.
2. Keep Up with Routine HVAC Maintenance
Annual maintenance from a certified HVAC professional ensures your furnace’s reliable operation. During the appointment, the technician inspects, services and otherwise tunes up the system for best performance. This proactive service helps identify small issues sooner rather than later, preventing costly repairs. A regular tune-up also reduces energy waste, saving you more money on energy bills.
3. Invest in Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Another way to reduce your furnace’s overall 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 reduce heat loss, allowing your furnace to hold a comfortable temperature. When your furnace operates more easily, it undergoes less wear and tear, prolonging its lifespan.
4. Fix Problems as Soon as You Notice
If you begin to notice any odd humming, stubborn cold spots or unexpected utility spikes, don’t delay checking out these red flags. Even small malfunctions can gradually develop into more severe breakdowns. If left unresolved, it could shorten the lifespan of your furnace. Prompt furnace repairs stop further damage and keep your system better protected.
5. Avoid Overworking Your Furnace
Setting your thermostat too high forces your furnace to run constantly, putting extra wear on the entire system. This increased workload results in reduced efficiency. To minimize this kind of gradual damage, set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature—such as between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. You can alternatively adjust the temperature by 8 to 10 degrees while you’re sleeping. These simple changes cut costs and prevent any excess wear on your furnace.
6. Change the Filter on a Regular Basis
The filter captures dust, fur and other airborne particles to prevent them from entering the system’s more sensitive components. Over time, the filter fills up with debris, limiting air circulation and making your furnace to exert more effort. This extra wear and tear can lead to furnace troubles and sometimes more serious issues.
To avoid those kinds of problems, don’t forget to check and replace the filter as needed, depending on total usage and the type of filter installed.
7. Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Model
If your furnace is old and requires seemingly constant maintenance, it may be time to replace it. Modern furnaces offer the best in heating technology while still lowering heating costs. Although the initial investment may be higher than a repair, the long-term savings and better performance make it a smart choice.
8. Install a Programmable Thermostat
A smart thermostat lets you set precise temperatures in your home, with features like scheduling automatic setbacks when you’re out or asleep. This limits operating time, lowering your energy bill and helping preserve the system.
9. Ensure Balanced Airflow
Your furnace will only function best when the ventilation between supply and return vents is well-regulated. Obstructing more than 80% of your supply registers can lead to excess strain or force your furnace to exert more effort than it should. To help keep things running smoothly, make sure that all air vents are open and free from being blocked by any rugs. This allows your furnace to distribute heat properly.
Trust Environmental Systems Associates for Reliable Furnace Maintenance
Taking care of your furnace prevents breakdowns, maximizes efficiency and can even extend its total potential lifespan. Environmental Systems Associates specializes in helping you keep a complete sense of comfort. Our certified 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 optimize your furnace, please contact us today!
