Winter has arrived. Is your furnace in good shape? If it’s working well, you definitely want it to keep it that way. Here are six tips from commercial plumbers at Efficient Systems, Inc. to help you extend its life and performance for decades.
1. Get Yearly Furnace Maintenance and Tune-Ups
Annual maintenance is paramount to the longevity of your furnace. By scheduling a yearly tune-up, preferably in the fall before the heating season starts, you ensure that your furnace is in top-notch condition. An HVAC technician can inspect, clean and address any issues, big or small, preventing minor problems from escalating into major repairs. This is indeed a proactive approach to extend your furnace’s life.
2. Address Repairs without Delay
Never postpone necessary repairs. If during a maintenance check, or through normal operation, you identify potential issues with your furnace, it’s imperative to have them addressed immediately. Prompt repairs prevent the escalation of minor issues into significant, costly problems and also avoid potential hazards like gas leaks. Observing signs like difficulty in starting the furnace, unusual noises or an inexplicable rise in energy bills should prompt an immediate check-up.
3. Update to a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
Optimizing how and when your furnace operates can significantly reduce wear and tear. Installing a programmable thermostat or better yet, a smart thermostat, allows for more precise control over your heating system. By only heating your home when necessary and avoiding the energy waste of heating an empty home, you lessen the operational burden on your furnace, contributing to a longer lifespan.
4. Ensure Proper Airflow
One of the critical factors in furnace efficiency and longevity is proper airflow. Regularly replacing your furnace air filters every 30 to 90 days is crucial to maintain optimal airflow and prevent the system from overworking. Moreover, checking that your air ducts are correctly sealed and free from leaks ensures that precious warm air isn’t lost to unheated spaces, reducing unnecessary strain on the furnace.
5. Enhance Home Insulation
Improving your home’s insulation—especially in areas like the attic, walls and around windows and doors—can significantly reduce the workload on your furnace. By keeping warm air inside and cold air out, you ensure that your furnace doesn’t work harder than it needs to. Enhanced insulation coupled with weatherstripping and double-pane windows are excellent steps toward energy efficiency and furnace longevity.
6. Utilize Ceiling Fans Wisely
An often-overlooked aspect of easing the load on your furnace and enhancing heat distribution throughout your home is the strategic use of ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans in a counterclockwise direction during the winter months can push warm air down from the ceiling, promoting even heating and allowing for lower thermostat settings.
Need high-quality furnace installations or services? You can always trust our team at Efficient Systems, Inc. Call today at (317) 293-6510, or visit our site to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving homeowners in and around Indianapolis, IN.
