Tips To Avoid Furnace Repair This Winter
Posted on: 26 December 2014
Winter is a terrible time for furnace repair. With the outdoor temperatures dropping, the pressure to keep your home constantly heated rises steadily with each passing day. These tips will help you avoid an ill-timed and inconvenient furnace repair this winter.
Change the Air Filter
The air filter cleans the air that flows through your HVAC system with every use. In addition to improving the air quality in your home, this prevents dirt and pollutants from building up inside your furnace and air conditioner, contributing to the efficiency and smooth functioning of the system.
Failing to replace the air filter in a timely manner can force the furnace and air conditioner to work harder than necessary just to heat your home. This can contribute to the untimely breakdown of your furnace. The Energy Star program recommends that you replace the air filter every 90 days at minimum.
Program your Thermostat
Programmable thermostats enable you to use your furnace only as often as you need to use it, and never more. This allows you to make targeted use of your furnace at times when you truly need it. This is a more efficient use of your furnace and may also reduce the length of time that your furnace spends running, thereby reducing wear and tear on the unit.
Get a Tune Up
Be proactive about your furnace's maintenance. Have a qualified professional service the unit at the start of the season. He or she will check the electrical connections, check the belts for wear and tear, lubricate the parts and check the pilot for ignition. This type of preventative maintenance can help you avoid an inconvenient breakdown.
Get your Air Ducts Sealed
Sealing the air ducts in your home helps to reduce inefficiency and, like programming your thermostat and changing the air filter, prevents your furnace from working harder than it needs to in order to heat your home. This can extend the life of the unit.
Know When it's Time to Replace
The expected lifespan of a typical furnace is approximately 15 years. Your furnace may last much longer than that, but beyond this age the continued functioning and performance of the furnace is uncertain. In addition, the older the unit gets, the more inefficient it's likely to become. Replacing your furnace is a great way to avoid emergency mid-winter furnace repair while also reducing your energy bills.
Following these recommendations, hopefully your home will be warm and cozy this winter.
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