After spending a hefty amount on a furnace, you want the unit to serve you for as long as possible. A furnace typically lasts 18 to 20 years but can live 25 to
30 years if you properly maintain it. All you need to do is commit time and money to furnace maintenance, and the unit will serve you for a long time.
A well-maintained furnace is an efficient furnace and significantly lowers your heating and cooling bills. Get more life out of your furnace with these tips.
1. Replace the Air Filter
If the air filter is old and dusty, you should replace it ASAP. An air filter’s main job is to prevent dust, pet dander, and other debris from entering the furnace. The clogged air filter forces the furnace to work harder to overcome resistance, which ultimately shortens the furnace’s life.
Also, with less air circulating the system, the furnace runs longer to raise the temperature. If the furnace has to work harder to heat your home, it’s only a matter of time before the furnace completely fails. So always change an old and dirty filter to ease the strain on your machine.
If your house has a lot of dirt, you have pets, or you use your HVAC system often, ensure that you change the air filter more frequently. You can tell if it’s time to change the filter by holding it up to the light. If you can’t see the light through it, it’s time to change it. Some filters are reusable, but you must clean them routinely, so the furnace runs without a hitch.
2. Prevent Air Leaks
Take measures to improve your home’s energy efficiency to reduce the strain on the HVAC system. Air leaks make it quite hard to heat and cool your home, and the furnace has to work extra hard to keep your home comfortable.
Bathroom and kitchen vents, walls, front door, and windows, cables and pipes entry points, and other existent gaps or holes can allow air to infiltrate. You can eliminate air leaks by properly sealing and insulating your home. This step keeps hot air inside, and the furnace does not strain while working.
To determine if your door or window causes air leaks, light a stick or match and watch the direction the smoke moves. If the smoke moves up, no air leak is present. However, if the smoke goes in a different direction, you need to check the window or door for an air leak. Weatherstripping also goes a long way to fill gaps and leaks in your home.
3. Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
An attempt to overwork the furnace will send it to an early grave. If the furnace keeps working even when you are away from home for long hours, it’s definitely overworking, and you will have to spend more on energy bills. You need to strike the right balance in your furnace usage if you don’t want it to die prematurely.
It’s easy to forget to turn the thermostat down when heading out, but you can install a smart and programmable thermostat. This device design allows you to adjust the air conditioning in your home based on programmed settings. You can set it to turn down the heat during the day when you aren’t home and at night.
Some advanced thermostats can detect when people are home or not. Others come with a smart control that allows you to control the system remotely from any location. Programmable thermostats not only add life to your furnace but also save you money on energy bills.
Another sure way to extend the life of your furnace is through regular preventive maintenance by an HVAC technician. Talk to us at Steele Brothers Heating, Inc. for all your HVAC repairs, maintenance, and installations.
