How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Furnace
Your furnace works hard to keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long. However, just like with other mechanical systems, it should be given routine care from trained technicians 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 left alone. It also means lower energy bills!
1. Maintain a Clean Space Around the Furnace
Keeping the area around your furnace uncluttered ensures better airflow. Make sure the area is kept dust-free and well clear of hazardous materials. This avoids fire and similar safety risks, ensuring your furnace performs more smoothly.
2. Keep Up with Routine HVAC Maintenance
Annual maintenance from a certified HVAC professional helps promote your furnace’s overall health. During the appointment, your technician inspects, services and otherwise optimizes the system for best performance. This preventative care spots small issues before they escalate, preventing costly repairs. A regular tune-up also reduces energy waste, cutting your monthly heating costs.
3. Reduce Your Home’s Energy Loss
Another way to lessen 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. Whenever your furnace runs efficiently, it experiences less wear and tear, increasing its lifespan.
4. Address Any Repairs Immediately
If you notice odd humming, stubborn cold spots or unexpected utility spikes, don’t postpone looking into these signs of trouble. Even small issues can gradually become more severe breakdowns. If left ignored, it could reduce the overall service life of your furnace. Prompt furnace repairs can prevent further damage and keep your system better protected.
5. Set Your Furnace to a Reasonable Temperature
Setting your thermostat beyond energy-efficient levels forces your furnace to run constantly, putting excess stress on the entire system. This constant demand causes reduced efficiency. To minimize this kind of gradual damage, set your thermostat to an energy-efficient temperature—for example between 68-72° F. You can also adjust the temperature by a few degrees while you’re sleeping. These simple changes save energy and reduce further stress on your furnace.
6. Swap Out Your Furnace Filter When Recommended
The filter blocks dirt, animal dander and other airborne airborne contaminants to prevent them from entering the system’s more vulnerable components. Over time, the filter gets clogged with debris, limiting air circulation and causing your furnace to exert more effort. This extra wear and tear could result in furnace troubles and sometimes more serious issues.
To avoid those kinds of problems, check and replace the filter on a regular basis, depending on how often you use the system and the type of filter in place.
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 provide improved performance while still reducing total power use. Although the upfront cost may be higher than a repair, the smaller utility bills and increased efficiency make it a smart choice.
8. Consider Trying a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat lets you set precise temperatures in your home, with features like scheduling automatic setbacks when you’re out or sleeping. This limits run time, saving energy and helping preserve the system.
9. Maintain Proper Circulation
Your furnace will only operate at its best when the circulation between supply and return vents is balanced. Sealing off more than 80% of your supply registers can lead to heat buildup or force your furnace to work harder. To help keep things running smoothly, regularly check that the air vents are open and free from being blocked by any curtains. This allows your furnace to move air properly.
Trust McLoughlin Plumbing Heating & Cooling for Reliable Furnace Maintenance
Taking care of your furnace avoids any premature, costly failures, maximizes efficiency and can even promote a longer service life. McLoughlin Plumbing Heating & Cooling takes pride in helping you enjoy a complete sense of comfort. Our experienced technicians provide fast, truly Expert service.
If it’s been a while since your last maintenance visit or if you’re interested in tailored tips to maximize your furnace, please contact us today!
