All homeowners want everything in their houses to work properly, and the furnace is no exception. You may not see it, smell it, or hear it when it’s running, but when things start to go wrong with your furnace, you’ll know it. Taking care of your furnace helps you save money on costly repairs and prevent accidents. Like any other part of your home, your furnace can last a long time when properly maintained. How do you extend your furnace’s life, and when is the right time to replace it?
The Purpose of Your Furnace
The primary purpose of your furnace is to provide warmth when temperatures outside drop. A furnace works by burning fuel, like natural gas or oil, and using the heat produced to warm up air that circulates through your home. Your furnace also improves indoor air quality.
Why Do You Need To Take Care of Your Furnace?
You’ll feel how important the furnace is when it starts to fail. Apart from the cost to repair a furnace, you’ll also have to deal with how cold it can get when it isn’t working. Here are two main reasons to take care of your furnace:
High Energy Efficiency
When your furnace runs efficiently, it’ll burn less energy and reduce the amount you pay for heating costs. Taking care of your furnace helps maintain efficiency and save you money. Homeowners love bills that don’t surprise them!
Affordability
Furnaces usually use natural gas, which is an incredibly cost-effective type of fuel source. When you keep your furnace in working condition, you keep saving money. The cost to replace a furnace is high when it’s reached the end of its life, but when you take care of it, it’ll last as long as 15 to 30 years!
Extending the Life of Your Furnace
Some furnaces last up to 30 years, some only 15. The lifespan highly depends on how you take care of it. Here are a few ways to extend the life of your furnace:
Schedule Professional Seasonal Maintenance
Your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) technician can inspect and clean your furnace when the seasons change. They’ll also make adjustments when necessary to prevent problems from occurring. Furnaces work best when they receive regular maintenance.
Replace Furnace Filters Regularly
It would be best to replace filters so air can flow freely when your furnace works. Not replacing filters when needed will reduce the efficiency of your furnace and allow dust and debris to enter, which can damage it when left unchecked.
Keep Your House Clean
When your house is clean, it reduces the amount of dust and debris entering and clogging your furnace. It’s quite impossible to keep dust and debris out, but regular vacuuming and dusting help a lot. Try to keep your house as clean as possible, and you’ll soon see the benefits!
Consider Installing Programmable Thermostat
By installing a programmable thermostat, you can reduce the energy usage of your furnace when you don’t need it. You can easily adjust the temperature when asleep or away from home without manually lowering the thermostat when needed.
Maintain Set Temperatures
Don’t keep turning the temperature up when it gets a little chilly. The constant change of temperature can overwork your furnace and reduce its lifespan. Always make sure to maintain set temperatures when possible.
Clean and Seal Ductwork
When your ducts are dusty and full of debris, it reduces airflow when your furnace runs. Consider having a professional technician inspect and clean your ducts. Seal any cracks and holes in the ductwork to prevent dust from entering when your furnace runs.
Insulate Your Attic
Insulating your attic can help reduce the use of your furnace when temperatures outside drop. It helps keep warm air in when it’s cold outside and reduces the need for your furnace when it’s not necessary. Your attic isn’t just some area in your home; when well taken care of, it can save you money when it comes to heating costs!
Make Necessary Repairs Right Away
Lastly, if you notice any signs of trouble when using your furnace, contact a professional as soon as possible. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Make necessary repairs when needed so you don’t have to settle for higher energy and repair bills.
Three Signs It’s Time for Furnace Replacement
When should you replace your furnace? You may find a label that states when your furnace was manufactured, so you can quickly know its age. However, lifespan also depends on usage and condition. Here are three signs to look out for to know when you should replace your furnace:
Between 15 to 30 Years Old
The rule of thumb when it comes to replacing furnaces is when they are between 15 to 30 years old. If your furnace is in this range and you also notice any of the signs below, it’s time to prepare for a replacement.
High Energy Bills
If you find yourself paying higher energy bills when using your furnace, it’s time to replace it. Your furnace should be working efficiently when it’s in good condition. You may settle for repairs, but a replacement is better when you find it too costly and when the furnace is aging.
Strange Noises and Stinking Odors
If you notice strange noises when your furnace runs, such as clunking or rattling sounds, it’s time to consider a replacement. Also, look out for strange odors when your furnace runs. These could be signs of a gas leak and should be checked immediately by a professional technician.
Key Takeaways
If you live in Bellingham, WA, then you know how your furnace can significantly help when the cold season comes. Your family deserves warmth at a reasonable cost. Clean Air Heating & Cooling keeps families comfortable year-round with professional HVAC services. We provide fully licensed and insured heating and cooling services to help with all your home needs.
Our team is friendly, professional, and certified, and we guarantee quality services that ensure your satisfaction. Your furnace needs care and regular maintenance like everything else in your home. Call Clean Air now and schedule a service!
