If you live in Benson, NC, it’s crucial to extend your furnace’s lifespan to maintain a comfortable home during the cold months and avoid the high cost of replacing your furnace. The more you take care of your furnace through maintenance, the longer it will last and operate efficiently. Here are simple yet effective ways of increasing the lifespan of your heating system and ensuring that it remains in great working condition.
How Long Do Furnaces Last?
The average lifespan of a furnace is about 15 to 30 years. With proper maintenance, your heating system can last up to the max of 30 years without losing much of its efficiency. Furnace parts don’t often last the complete life cycle, so you may have to repair or replace them after some time, which is cheaper than replacing the entire heating system.
The furnace’s life expectancy can also depend on certain factors, such as the model and make. Improper heating system sizing can also reduce the system’s lifespan, your comfort and your home’s energy efficiency. Shoddy installation, poor design and sealed ductwork restrict airflow and affect the heating system’s reliability and performance, which reduces its lifespan.
Change Air Filter
Failure to change your furnace’s air filter causes poor indoor air quality and damages the system, shortening its lifespan. Dirty filters force the heating system to work harder than usual to maintain proper airflow because debris and other dirt particles cause blockages. Extend your heating system’s lifespan by changing air filters every three months or sooner if your home has more dust and dirt.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
An effective way to extend the lifespan of your furnace is to invest in a programmable thermostat that allows you to schedule your heating system to suit your comfort levels. You can program the thermostat to moderate temperature during the day or night while away from the house. Ultimately, a programmable thermostat enables you to reduce heating bills and wear and tear on the heating system and extend its life.
Schedule Seasonal Furnace Maintenance
Regular preventive furnace maintenance is vital in extending its lifespan, so ensure that you schedule seasonal maintenance. An experienced HVAC technician thoroughly inspects your heating system during seasonal or annual maintenance while checking for faulty parts and cleans the system from top to bottom. A clean and well-maintained heating system operates more efficiently than a dirty one, which saves money, keeps your home healthier and helps it to last longer than expected.
Seal Air Leaks Around Your Home
Air leaks around the house allow warm air to escape to the outside, which can shorten the life of your furnace. When air is escaping from the ductwork, it forces the furnace to work harder than it should to maintain your desired home temperatures, causing wear and tear on the system. Air leaks also cause frequent furnace breakdowns and higher energy bills, so fixing them can make your furnace last longer than expected.
Reduce the Load on the Furnace
An effective way to help a furnace last longer than its life expectancy is by reducing its workload. Poor habits, like frequently adjusting the thermostat or failing to close exterior doors properly, can force your furnace to stay on longer than usual. Find ways to stop bad habits like fixing drafts around doors and windows to extend the lifespan of your furnace and enjoy a comfortable home throughout the season.
Getting the most out of a furnace helps save money you would have used on furnace repairs which can be costly. Regular furnace tune-ups and fixing minor repairs before they escalate can help to make the system last longer than expected. Contact Cape Fear Air Conditioning, Heating, & Electrical Company, Inc. to schedule heating installations and air conditioning repairs with our licensed HVAC technicians.
Image provided by iStock
