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As winter persists and the climate stays cool, you need your furnace to do its job right.
For first-time homeowners, it refers to a piece of heating equipment designed to heat a given space. That includes your entire home. It’s an essential part of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, so it should always be well taken care of.
When the furnace operates correctly, you can keep your home warm during the cold months, maintain indoor air quality, and keep your energy consumption low. Also, having a functional furnace can protect you and your family against harmful bacteria, viruses, and mold growth.
Knowing this, maintaining your furnace is essential to extend its service lifespan and ensure it remains efficient.
If you have a furnace, below are the five tips for keeping it in good working condition.
1. Check Your Furnace Components Regularly
One of the effective ways to avoid furnace problems is to inspect its essential components regularly. It can help you identify any potential issues before they become serious and cause severe damage to your heating equipment.
For example, check and replace your filter if it’s dirty to ensure adequate airflow. Inspect your ducts to see if they have cracks and holes that should be sealed. Lastly, examine your vents to ensure curtains, furniture, and other potential obstructions do not block them.
Inspecting your furnace components can address all issues and keep your heating equipment running efficiently. Once you get this down, you can guarantee your household’s comfort during the cold months.
But if you think professionals can handle your furnace inspection, cleaning, and tune-up best, in that case, you can always hire a reliable company specializing in heating and cooling services.
2. Provide Proper Attic Insulation
Adequate insulation helps maintain the correct temperature within your home, especially during the colder months. Consequently, it can prevent your furnace from overworking and keep it in good condition for a long time.
To maintain optimal heating inside your home, check the insulation in the attic. You can call an experienced insulation company to check it and fix it to prevent potential heat loss.
Aside from that, you should check if the furnace register is properly opened or closed for proper heat flow. Consider using thermal curtains, as well. These help prevent significant heat loss, making it easier to keep the temperature comfortable.
By providing proper insulation, you aid your furnace in doing its job of proper climate control for a long time.
3. Clear The Area Around The Furnace Of Any Obstructions
As mentioned before, these can keep it from running more efficiently. You can start by using a vacuum cleaner with a brush to eliminate the dirt or debris that accumulates around the furnace.
Moreover, if you see grease or oil around your heating equipment, use a solvent to remove it. Once done, apply a sealant to safeguard your furnace from rust and natural elements.
If your pets like to lay near the furnace, you should move their bedding to another location so they won’t end up blocking it.
Doing all these things should allow your furnace to provide optimal heating for your home.
4. Provide Reinforcements For Your Furnace
Your furnace and HVAC system don’t need to do all the work to keep your home comfortable during the cold season. You can provide some reinforcements to ease their job of maintaining proper climate control around your home.
For example, you can add ceiling fans to help circulate the indoor air evenly. This can boost the performance of your heating unit, reduce energy consumption in the long run, and keep it operational for a long time.
Apart from ceiling fans, you can also invest in a furnace humidifier to maintain adequate amounts of moisture. This can keep your air from turning muggy or arid from the slightest temperature changes. It adds extra comfort while ensuring the furnace’s energy efficiency.
5. Check Your Thermostat Setting
You can maximize your furnace’s functions without getting it overworked by checking the thermostat settings. Adjusting them accordingly as the weather and temperature change can prevent your heating equipment from working too hard and running down its lifespan.
For more ease and convenience, consider having a programmable thermostat. This will allow you to save more energy at home and adjust the temperature without having to shift settings manually all the time.
Keep It Running For A Long Time
Your furnace is one of the essential parts of your home, especially during the cold months. But you shouldn’t wait until it gets damaged and stops working before you start taking care of it. Remember the tips mentioned above to keep your furnace in service for a long time. If things get out of hand, you can always turn to experts for help and advice.
