Ways to Help Extend Your Furnace’s Service Life

Your furnace is working round the clock to keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long. Still, like any other utility, it benefits from regular maintenance to ensure it runs as efficiently as possible and to hopefully prevent any inconvenient breakdowns. Taking care of your furnace ensures it lasts years longer, especially compared to one left alone. It also means reduced heating costs!

Here are some practical tips to maximize the lifespan of your furnace and ensure the best operation for many winters to come.

Change the Filter on a Regular Basis

The filter traps debris, pet hair and other airborne airborne contaminants to keep them out of the system’s more vulnerable components. Over time, the filter becomes blocked with debris, limiting air circulation and making your furnace to work harder. This unnecessary effort could result in more problems and sometimes more serious issues.

To avoid those kinds of problems, don’t forget to check and swap out the filter on a regular basis, depending on how often you use the system and the type of filter you use.

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Another way to lessen your furnace’s potential 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, making it easier for your furnace to hold a comfortable temperature. Whenever your furnace operates more easily, it undergoes less wear and tear, extending its lifespan.

Schedule Annual Preventative Maintenance

Annual maintenance from a certified HVAC professional supports your furnace’s overall health. During the appointment, your technician inspects, cleans and otherwise optimizes the system for best performance. This preventative care detects small issues sooner rather than later, preventing costly repairs. A regular tune-up also reduces energy waste, saving you more money on energy bills.

Maintain a Clean Space Around the Furnace

Keeping the space around your furnace clean encourages better airflow. Make sure the area is clean and not near any flammable materials. This avoids any safety issues, ensuring your furnace performs more smoothly.

Consider Trying 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 away or in bed. This reduces operating time, cutting costs and minimizing strain.

Don’t Put Off Furnace Repairs

If you start noticing strange sounds, stubborn cold spots or higher energy bills, don’t delay checking out these concerns. Even small problems can gradually develop into more severe breakdowns. If left ignored, it could reduce the overall service life of your furnace. Prompt furnace repairs help avoid further damage and keep your system running.

Maintain Proper Circulation

Your furnace will only perform at its peak when the circulation between supply and return vents is well-regulated. Sealing off more than 80% of your supply registers can result in overheating 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 curtains. This enables your furnace to circulate warmth properly. 

Avoid Overworking Your Furnace

Setting your thermostat above normal forces your furnace to run constantly, putting unnecessary strain on the entire system. This added energy load causes extra wear and tear. To keep it running longer, set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature—ideally between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. You can additionally adjust the temperature by a few degrees while you’re asleep or on a trip. These strategies save energy and lessen any strain on your furnace. 

Consider Replacing an Old Furnace

As soon as your furnace is showing its age and needs more frequent repairs, it may be time to upgrade. Modern furnaces feature improved performance while reducing energy consumption. Although the upfront cost may be higher than a repair, the long-term savings and better performance make it a cost-effective, practical solution. 

Choose Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to Keep Your Furnace Running

Maintaining your furnace avoids any premature, costly failures, improves long-term performance and can even extend its total potential lifespan. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is committed to helping you enjoy a warm and comfortable home. Our experienced technicians provide efficient, truly Expert service.

If it’s been a while since your last furnace tune-up or if you’re seeking more personalized advice to optimize your furnace, please contact us today!