Ways to Help Extend Your Furnace’s Service Life

Your furnace works tirelessly to keep your home nice and warm all winter long. But, just like with other mechanical systems, it benefits from consistent upkeep to ensure it performs its best and to reduce the risk of any inconvenient breakdowns. Maintaining your furnace ensures it lasts years longer, especially compared to a neglected system. It also means reduced heating costs!

Here are some helpful steps to extend the lifespan of your furnace and ensure the best operation for many winters to come.

Replace the Filter Regularly

The filter captures dirt, pet hair and other airborne allergens to keep them out of the system’s more sensitive components. Over time, the filter fills up with debris, limiting air circulation and forcing your furnace to operate less efficiently. This unnecessary effort may cause overheating and sometimes permanent system damage.

To avoid those kinds of problems, don’t forget to check and replace the filter as needed, depending on how often you use the system and the type of filter you use.

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Another way to reduce your furnace’s total 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 minimize any heat loss, allowing your furnace to reach a comfortable temperature. When your furnace operates more easily, it undergoes less wear and tear, increasing its lifespan.

Schedule Yearly HVAC Tune-Ups

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 proactive service spots small issues before they escalate, avoiding costly failures. Regular maintenance also reduces energy waste, cutting your monthly heating costs.

Maintain a Clean Space Around the Furnace

Keeping the area around your furnace uncluttered encourages better airflow. Make sure the area is cleaned regularly and not near any hazardous materials. This avoids fire and similar safety risks, ensuring your furnace performs more efficiently.

Consider Trying a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat gives you more control than ever in your home, with features like scheduling automatic setbacks when you’re not home or sleeping. This limits the time your system is running, saving energy and minimizing strain.

Fix Problems as Soon as You Notice

If you start noticing strange sounds, stubborn cold spots or rising heating costs, don’t wait to check out these signs of trouble. Even small issues can rapidly evolve into more severe situations. If left unchecked, it could reduce the overall service life of your furnace. Prompt furnace repairs help avoid further damage and keep your system safe.

Maintain Proper Circulation

Your furnace will only perform at its peak when the airflow between supply and return vents is balanced. Blocking or closing the majority of your supply registers can cause heat buildup or force your furnace to work itself too hard. To help keep things running smoothly, regularly check that your air vents are open and free from being blocked by any curtains. This allows your furnace to move air efficiently. 

Choose Energy-Efficient Temperature Settings

Setting your thermostat beyond energy-efficient levels forces your furnace to run way too much, putting extra wear on the entire system. This increased workload leads to extra wear and tear. To minimize this kind of gradual damage, set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature—for example between 68 and 72 degrees F. You can additionally adjust the temperature by around 8-10° while you’re away. These simple changes cut costs and prevent any excess wear on your furnace. 

Invest in a Modern Furnace When the Time Is Right

As soon as your furnace is outdated and needs more frequent repairs, it may be time to upgrade. Modern furnaces feature improved performance while still lowering heating costs. Although the pricetag may be higher than a repair, the long-term savings and better performance make it worthwhile. 

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

Maintaining your furnace prevents breakdowns, maximizes efficiency and can even promote a longer service life. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing takes pride in helping you enjoy a comfortable home environment. Our experienced technicians offer prompt, reliable service.

If it’s been a while since your last maintenance visit or if you’re seeking tailored tips to strengthen your furnace, please contact us today!