How do you take care of a furnace? – As the weather cools off outside, your furnace becomes incredibly important. It keeps your home and family warm for months and months every year. But in order for the furnace to work well and continue operating as you want it, you need to care for it. It goes through a lot every single winter, so you need to put some time and effort into helping it run well and last as long as possible.
If you fail to care for your furnace well, you may run into issues that range from it not working anymore, to it not being as efficient as it once was. This article is going to take a closer look at a couple of ways that you can properly care for your furnace and keep it in great shape.
Get it Maintained Regularly
The first thing to do to ensure your furnace is well cared for is to get it maintained often. If your furnace needs repair, or even if it doesn’t, it is a good idea to reach out to a professional annually to make sure all is good. Your city is likely home to many experts who can help, so do your homework and make sure to choose one with good experience, solid reviews, and is someone that is trustworthy.
An expert will come out and take a look at your furnace and make any changes that they deem necessary. They will make sure there are no hidden issues developing, and will inspect every component of the furnace to make sure it is operating as normal. Sure, this comes with a cost, but it is much more affordable than having to make a major repair after an issue develops that you didn’t know about.
With this, you might want to consider looking for furnace replacement service, it is crucial to prioritize what to look for in a replacement furnace, such as energy efficiency, appropriate sizing, reliable warranty, and compatibility with your home’s existing ductwork.
Change Out the Filter
Another thing to keep in mind if you want to care for your furnace is to make sure you are changing the filter. Your HVAC system will have a filter that looks to keep dust and dirt out of your system, to keep it clean and functional. They can also help to improve the air quality in your home in some cases, as well.
As the filter fills up with debris, it becomes harder for your furnace to operate. It takes more work to push air through a clogged and filthy filter than a clean one. Over time, this will have a negative impact on performance, and can also lead to your indoor air quality suffering.
When it comes to how frequently you are changing your air filter, it depends. There are filters that can last as long as 90 days before needing to be replaced, while others should be changed out every month. In most cases, if you have children or pets in your home, you should change out the filter more frequently than if you don’t.
Also, in addition to changing out the filter, it is a good idea to be aware that some filters can simply be cleaned out and don’t need to be replaced. Be sure to know exactly what kind of furnace filter you have, and what is required in order to keep it clean and working as it should.
Make Sure All Registers and Vents are Clear
Next, you want to make sure that all of your vents and registers throughout the home are clear and free from debris. These vents are what allow the warm air to actually enter a room. If they are blocked by clothing piles, furniture, or something else entirely, it won’t allow the warm air to enter the room as easily as if they were unblocked.
In addition to your home being colder, blocked or closed vents make the furnace push out more and more hot air, as the home simply isn’t heating up as it should. This leads to a lower lifespan for your furnace, as well as a larger energy bill at the end of the month. In addition to making sure that your vents aren’t blocked, you also want to make sure they are open and not closed, as well.
Ensure You Have a Proper Seal on Your Home
A big part of an efficient and effective furnace is having a proper seal on your home. If your home has air gaps, drafts, and leaks on the outdoor walls, it lets warm air escape, and lets cold air in. This means your furnace will need to work double time in order to keep the home at the temperature you have set.
With it running more, your furnace will deteriorate quicker and become more likely to experience issues. To avoid this problem, you need to put some effort into air sealing your home. This involves finding any drafts or air gaps, and filling them before winter to ensure your furnace continues to be able to work efficiently. Finding them is generally a simple and quick process, so this is an easy way to care for your furnace.
Don’t Forget About the Ducts
While your furnace is a very important part of your HVAC system, it is crucial that you don’t forget about the ducts. These are what will transport all of the hot air throughout your home and ensure it reaches all the right rooms.
You need to make sure that your ducts are in good shape to get the most out of your furnace. If your ducts have leaks, gaps, or are clogged with debris, it can make the furnace work harder than it needs to, thus leading to more and more wear and tear.
As a result, make sure to get your ducts cleaned and inspected every couple of years by trained professionals. In some cases you will be able to clean them yourself, but it is generally simpler and quicker to have a professional do it.
We hope that this guide has been able to help you learn a few wonderful ways to properly care for your furnace.
