How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Furnace and Avoid Breakdowns

Your furnace is working round the clock to keep your home nice and warm all winter long. However, like any appliance, it should be given routine care from trained technicians to ensure it performs its best and to avoid any inconvenient breakdowns. Maintaining your furnace ensures it lasts years longer, especially compared to one left alone. It also means more affordable energy use!

Here are some useful suggestions to extend the lifespan of your furnace and keep it running more efficiently for many winters to come.

Change the Filter on a Regular Basis

The filter captures debris, animal dander and other airborne airborne contaminants to prevent them from entering the system’s more delicate components. Over time, the filter gets clogged with debris, restricting airflow and forcing your furnace to work harder. This added strain may cause overheating and sometimes more serious issues.

To maintain efficient performance, remember to check and replace the filter on a regular basis, depending on total usage and the type of filter installed.

Reduce Your Home’s Energy Loss

Another way to reduce your furnace’s overall 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 reach 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 long-term performance. During the appointment, a technician inspects, services and otherwise optimizes the system for best performance. This preventative care spots small issues before they become something more serious, avoiding costly breakdowns. Regular maintenance also reduces energy waste, lowering your monthly energy bills.

Keep the Area Near Your Furnace Clear

Keeping the area around your furnace uncluttered ensures airflow and safe operation. Make sure the area is cleaned regularly and not near any flammable materials. This avoids any safety issues, ensuring your furnace performs more effectively.

Use a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat gives you more control than ever in your home, through features such as scheduling automatic setbacks when you’re not home or in bed. This limits operating time, cutting costs and helping preserve the system.

Fix Problems as Soon as You Notice

If you begin to notice any odd humming, uneven heating or rising heating costs, don’t wait to check out these red flags. Even small problems can rapidly become more severe breakdowns. If left unresolved, it could shorten the lifespan of your furnace. Prompt furnace repairs can prevent further damage and keep your system better protected.

Maintain Proper Circulation

Your furnace will only perform at its peak when the ventilation between supply and return vents is well-regulated. Blocking or closing too many of your supply registers can result in heat buildup or force your furnace to work itself too hard. To help prevent any issues, regularly check that the air vents are open and free from being blocked by any rugs. 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 excess stress on the entire system. This constant demand leads to reduced efficiency. To avoid cutting your furnace’s lifespan short, set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature—for example between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. You can alternatively adjust the temperature by a few degrees while you’re asleep or on a trip. These strategies reduce total heating expenses and prevent any excess wear on your furnace. 

Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Model

When your furnace is showing its age and requires seemingly constant maintenance, it may be time to upgrade. Modern furnaces feature the best in heating technology while still lowering heating costs. Although the pricetag may be higher than a repair, the total lifetime repair costs and better performance make it a smart choice. 

Rely on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to Maintain Your Furnace’s Health

Taking care of your furnace avoids any premature, costly failures, improves long-term performance and can even ensure a long service life. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is committed to helping you keep a comfortable home environment. Our certified technicians deliver prompt, reliable service.

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