Not only will your home be more comfortable when your furnace operates efficiently, but your furnace will last longer and save you more money on utility bills as well. Like any machine, your furnace is subject to normal wear and tear. By reducing wear, your furnace will work longer, faster, and better. So the question is: What furnace maintenance services are key to reduce wear and tear on your unit?
Our HVAC specialists have composed a list of 10 key tips to keep your heating system functioning at full capacity while reducing wear and tear. No one wants to spend considerable amounts of money replacing a furnace. Luckily, there are some simple ways to ensure that your furnace operates effectively and efficiently in the long term. Let’s dive right in!
1. Change Your Air Filters
Furnace filters serve an integral role in the functionality of your home heating system. Furnace maintenance doesn’t always come with a hefty bill; it can be as easy as replacing your air filters regularly! These filters prevent dust and hair from clogging your furnace. With this in mind, an old air filter can accumulate a lot of debris and become dysfunctional. Changing your filters once a month is a surefire way to keep your furnace running at peak performance.
2. Clear Debris Regularly
Whether you have pets, children, clean inconsistently, or have undergone recent renovations, debris will build up in and around your vents, air filters, ductwork, and registers. A furnace must be able to freely circulate air throughout your home in order to work efficiently. Making sure your vents and registers are not blocked by furniture or debris is a great method in ensuring the optimal airflow and functionality of your furnace. Regularly cleaning will also improve your indoor air quality.
3. Insulate Your Home
Area rugs and carpeting on hardwood floors help to insulate against drafts. Not only are these things decorative and appealing, but they help your home avoid heat loss. Homeowners should also assess their home’s attic and basement insulation regularly to avoid a furnace that has to work overtime to meet your desired thermostat setting.
4. Seal Entries & Exits Properly
When they aren’t sealed properly, entries and exits like garage doors, basement doors, and patio doors are often the main culprits of drafts in winter months. Checking these entries and exits for drafts and sealing open spaces is a great way to avoid a furnace that has to work harder to keep up with your temperature setting. Sometimes it’s necessary to add new caulking in areas where cold air is slipping through the cracks.
5. Maintain Good Humidity Levels
Dry winter air can make homeowners feel as though the indoor temperature is colder than it is. Using a humidifier to keep humidity levels around 40% helps transfer heat better. Ultimately, maintaining adequate humidity levels will make your home more comfortable and prevent unnecessary furnace maintenance.
6. Keep the Area Around the Furnace Clear
It’s imperative to keep your furnace clear of clutter. Most furnaces are housed in basements, where homeowners often keep miscellaneous items that can pile up fast. Be sure to maintain 3 to 5 feet of space between any items or furniture around your furnace so that airflow can circulate freely. This will also help to avoid potential hazards being that furnaces burn gas to generate heat.
7. Use Ceiling Fans
This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s not. Warm air rises and tends to gather around ceilings making ground floor temperatures cooler. By setting ceiling fans on their lowest setting, hot air can circulate further toward the ground and make for a more comfortable home. This will also prevent an overworking furnace since homeowners won’t feel the need to constantly adjust thermostats.
8. Use a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats save homeowners big on energy bills and prevent a furnace from overworking. By setting the air conditioning temperature according to when you or your loved ones will be present in the home you can save money and years of life on your HVAC system.
9. Check Furnace Components
If you have experience checking components of your furnace such as your pilot light, heat exchanger, blower, motors, and vents for efficiency, then be sure to periodically check these elements for optimal function. However, in most cases, it’s best to rely on the expertise of professional HVAC services to avoid mishaps.
10. Schedule Regular Tune-Ups
Regular preventative maintenance can stop big problems before they start. Make sure to get your gas furnaces and heat pumps checked regularly by HVAC professionals. Not only will a regular checkup improve efficiency and energy costs over time, but it will also give you peace of mind. Your HVAC technician will be able to catch impending problems that could be covered under your warranty.
Stop searching for “furnace maintenance near me” and weeding through hundreds of reviews and comparing high prices. Home Comfort USA has been providing budget-friendly, expert, and effective furnace maintenance for California residents for years. Whether you need your filters changed, vents cleared, or the furnace repaired, we’ve got you covered! Contact us today!
