Furnaces are designed and built in a way that enables them to last for many years. But if overused, abused, and neglected, these tough machines wear down. The last thing you would want during the cold months of winter is to deal with a furnace that is unreliable and failing. Even though your furnace has been built to last for well over a decade, it can wear down prematurely due to improper usage. Regardless of how long it takes, this system will eventually breakdown. But before this happens, HVAC repairs increase, furnace efficiency goes down, and home heating costs go up. Therefore, you need to know how to properly maintain your furnace to continue enjoying years of indoor comfort.
Most people fail to notice early signs and symptoms of furnace problems until they show up. You will be surprised to know that many homeowners contribute to the problems as well, without even knowing it. Today, we will be outlining six of the ways that homeowners stress and overwork their heating systems.
It’s a common practice for homeowners to keep their thermostat at the same temperature even when there is no one at home for an extended period. We discourage this. Doing this forces the heating system to work to keep an empty house at a comfortable temperature. Consequently, this places more wear and tear on your furnace and escalates your home heating costs.
Using a programmable thermostat will help you avoid this. With this thermostat, you can set a specific temperature for when no one is at home. However, do not worry if you do not have a programmable thermostat. What you can do is simply turning down the device manually before leaving for the day or at night, when you are warm in bed.
If you are used to leaving your doors and windows open, even just a crack, you are letting the cold air in. You will notice this during days where you notice a cold draft indoors. To remedy this, check and confirm that all your windows and doors are closed and locked. Also, learn how to find air drafts in your house. Examples include gaps, holes, and cracks around windows and doors. These inlets let in cold air, therefore, causing the drafts. Your heating system has to compensate for the cold air. Therefore, fix any drafts to avoid this issue.
It isn’t necessary to increase the temperature of your thermostat to warm your home more quickly. Instead, confirm if the temperature is already set to your ideal level. Do not try to increase it if it is at the right temperature setting. Increasing it does not warm your home faster, but only overworks your heating unit.
Some people place furniture, curtains, and other items over their air vents, therefore, unknowingly blocking them. These items block airflow and affect your furnace’s ability to distribute warm air evenly around the house. Some homeowners also put beds over vents believing that the air will warm their sheets and keep them toasty. Though this might work, it will hinder the proper flow of warm air. It also strains your system, causing unnecessary wear and tear. The same holds true for homeowners who close air vents to unused rooms. Keep your air vents open in all of the rooms to ensure proper airflow and avoid wear and tear.
Heating systems need to be maintained regularly. This means that you must schedule for maintenance and checkups at least once a year. Potential problems are identified early enough before they turn into major issues. An HVAC technician also has the opportunity to fix them right away before they have a chance to escalate. If you haven’t scheduled one yet, contact your local HVAC contractor. You will benefit from reduced energy costs, and your system will continue to operate efficiently.
Also, remember to change your furnace filter regularly. A good number of homeowners are guilty of not doing this, and as a result, the furnace is overworked, and it ends up wearing down. Conduct filter checks monthly and ensure it is clean and in good working condition.
Age affects furnaces negatively by making them less efficient. An aging unit will eventually give in to wear-and-tear, therefore, fail to function the way it used to when it was still new. As time goes by, this furnace will need a replacement.
You will notice a whole lot of difference in terms of the indoor air quality, comfort of your home, and your energy costs with a new, energy-efficient furnace. However, do not be tempted to replace your aging furnace with the cheapest option available. Remember that your furnace is a major investment, and price matters when it comes to a furnace replacement. The cheapest alternative won’t perform as well as a reasonably priced one.
It not unusual to receive high utility bills in the winter season. However, you should be concerned if the increase seems higher than usual. This is a sign that there might be a problem with your furnace. Several factors can cause your unit to consume more energy. Check your air filters and, if necessary, replace them. However, if you check and see that everything seems okay with your filters, call an HVAC contractor and have them identify the issue.
One of the signs that your furnace system might not be running correctly is uneven temperatures. This is exhibited by cold and hot spots throughout the house or from one room to the next. Your system might be overworked and unable to warm your home efficiently. Contact a furnace expert to offer a solution.
If your furnace requires more repairs than normal, it is likely because it is overworked. An overworked furnace will wear out prematurely. You will need to replace the furnace earlier than you had planned to.
Your furnace is an important investment. When it ages and wears out, it is time to replace it. Contact Tower Energy for high-quality HVAC services. Our NATE certified technicians can repair, replace, maintain, and install HVAC systems. We can also offer advice on how to keep your heating unit in top shape. Therefore, call Tower Energy today to schedule a free, in-home estimate.
Contact us now or call us at (860) 677-7347 to find out more.
