Average January lows in the area can dip into the teens or 20s. This makes it crucial to keep your furnace functioning properly for comfort and safety. Regular maintenance is particularly necessary if your household includes children, seniors, or individuals with health conditions. Several simple maintenance tasks can make a positive difference. With proper care, including the steps below, your gas furnace could last approximately 15 to 20 years. Electric furnaces often perform well for up to 30 years.
Schedule Professional Inspection and Maintenance
A professional annual inspection is one of the best ways to extend the lifespan of your furnace. The ideal time to do it is in the fall, before the colder temperatures set in. During the visit, our highly skilled technicians assess your system, including checking the electrical wiring and the heat exchanger. They’ll make sure all the components are functioning safely and efficiently.
Once the tune-up is complete, our technicians will share the results with you. They’ll also let you know whether your system is in great shape or if it requires repairs or a replacement. It’s best to schedule this service before you turn your heat on for the season.
Change the Air Filter Regularly
The air filter traps dust, insects, skin cells, pet dander, and various other debris that circulate throughout your home. When the filter gets clogged, it restricts airflow and allows particles to build up on the internal components. This forces your furnace to work harder than necessary, which increases wear and tear. If your system overheats in the process, it can suffer damage that leads to costly repairs or a premature replacement. Overworking your furnace can also drive up your energy bills.
Changing the air filter is a simple task that helps your furnace last longer. Just remove the old filter, put the new one in, and make sure it fits properly. We suggest checking it monthly and changing it at least every three months to keep your furnace running efficiently.
Unblock Vents and Registers
Your registers and vents distribute heated air throughout your home. However, they can’t do that effectively if couches, rugs, drapes, dressers, or other items block them. Obstructions could lead to uneven temperatures and may cause your system to overheat, which puts it at risk for damage. To avoid these issues, walk through your Massachusetts home and check the registers and vents. If anything blocks them, clear the space and leave at least a few feet of clearance to ensure proper airflow.
Keep the Area Clear Around Your Furnace
Your furnace needs several feet of clearance on all sides to maintain proper airflow. If anything blocks the appliance, it can restrict ventilation and potentially cause the system to overheat. Additionally, flammable items, such as clothes, linens, boxes, and cleaning supplies, can pose a fire hazard when stored too close. The extra room is also important to provide our technicians with plenty of space to work safely.
Perform Regular Self-Inspections
Regular self-inspections can keep your furnace in good condition between professional appointments. This simple task can help extend your system’s lifespan and reduce your utility bills to a minimum.
Start by checking the exterior of your furnace for signs of damage, such as corrosion. Other indicators of a problem include hearing strange noises, such as banging, seeing leaks, or smelling a burning odor. Additionally, check if your furnace has a yellow pilot light. This could be a danger sign that your system has a carbon monoxide leak. Turn off the system, open your windows, then leave your home, and call us right away.
Schedule Repairs Promptly
Once you know you need furnace repairs, schedule them as soon as possible. Delaying them can shorten the lifespan of your furnace. Minor issues only worsen over time, especially if you’re running the heat, leading to more expensive and serious problems. If the issues become too severe, you may have to replace the entire system.
Fix Window and Door Drafts
Drafts create temperature imbalances in your home. This causes your furnace to work harder to get the home up to your preferred temperature. This causes extra stress on the system, which can reduce its lifespan. It can also lead to higher bills and more frequent furnace repairs.
Use gap filler and weatherstripping around your doors and windows to keep out the cold. Considering the frigid Massachusetts winters, it’s best to do this during the fall before temperatures drop.
You should also put a draft blocker under each of your exterior doors. This prevents even the smallest drafts from sneaking in.
Apply Insulating Film to Windows and Doors
Insulating window film reduces heat loss during the winter when applied to windows and glass on doors. It’s particularly helpful for old and/or single-pane glass. However, it can still benefit modern, energy-efficient windows. High-quality film can also block UV rays, helping to prevent furniture from fading.
By applying the insulating film, you can make your home feel warmer and more comfortable. You’re also helping to maintain a more consistent indoor temperature, which reduces your furnace’s workload.
Monitor Energy Bills
If your winter energy bills are increasing for what seems like no reason, it could indicate that something is wrong with your furnace. It’s one of the many reasons you should monitor your utility bills monthly and compare energy use year-to-year.
A clogged air filter or blocked registers or vents are two reasons your utility bill might be rising. If there are no problems with either, it may be due to another issue. These could include leaking ductwork, a malfunctioning thermostat, or poor insulation.
Install a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat can significantly reduce your home’s energy use. One major benefit of having us install this device is programming. You can keep the temperature lower while everyone is out during the day or sleeping. The system will automatically increase the temperature by the time you arrive home or people get up. These adjustments help you save money on utility costs and reduce wear on your system.
Smart thermostats offer several advantages over traditional programmable thermostats. Because they are Wi-Fi enabled, you can control settings from anywhere with an internet connection. If you go on vacation and forget to set your thermostat to vacation mode, you can do that from anywhere. Many smart thermostat models can also detect if something is wrong with your system and send a notification to your phone. This makes it easier to stay on top of potential issues and handle them promptly.
Can I Perform Furnace Maintenance and Repairs Myself?
There are some basic furnace maintenance tasks homeowners can handle, such as self-inspections and changing the air filter. However, you should leave most of it to the professionals. Our highly skilled team has the knowledge, experience, and tools to safely and efficiently perform all furnace maintenance tasks.
Homeowners should never perform DIY furnace repairs of any kind. Attempting them is extremely dangerous and could lead to injury or worse. It could also exacerbate the existing problem, cause a fire, or lead to a complete appliance breakdown. Additionally, attempting furnace repairs may void your appliance’s warranty.
Keep your furnace in top shape and operating efficiently. DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in West Boylston, Falmouth, and South Yarmouth, MA, provides reliable inspections, installations, and maintenance plan services. Schedule an appointment today through our website.
