When taken care of and properly maintained, a new furnace should last for between 15-20 years. However, when units are neglected, their life spans are usually cut considerably short.
Once per year, you should call on A-1 Guaranteed Heating & Air, Inc. for regular routine checkups on your system. Many critical tasks can only properly be done by our pros! That being said, you can still do some things yourself to help maintain the longevity of your furnace.
Top 5 Things You Can Maintain on Your Furnace
So, what are some of the things that anyone can do themselves to help keep their heating systems in primo shape in between professional tune-ups?
1. Check the Blower Motor
Your furnace’s blower motor is what drives the fan that moves the air for your furnace, moving air through the heat exchanger to warm the air and distribute it. Many furnace blower motors also provide the air for air conditioning units, too, and it’s where the air filter is installed.
If a blower motor’s many working parts aren’t maintained, they can begin to break down. Listen to see if you hear “new” noises from the area that could signal an issue with the motor or the blower wheel. Listen for high, shrill sounds that sound like metal pieces rubbing against each other. Also, listen for a loud humming, which could signal an electrical problem.
2. Change the Filter
When the filter gets dirty, change it! This should usually be done about once every two to three months. However, if you have pets and/or a lot of dust and dirt in your home, you’ll likely need to change your filter more often, probably about once per month. You probably have been told time after time to change the filters; it’s advice that is repeated so often because it’s so crucial.
If it’s been a while since the air filter was last changed, inadequate airflow will be delivered to the furnace and it won’t operate as it should, which can cause bigger, more expensive problems down the road.
3. Make Sure the Exhaust Flue is Clear
This one is for those who have gas furnaces. The gas flue is what allows deadly gases to leave your home and go outdoors. You must make sure that your flue remains free of obstructions because otherwise, air won’t be able to move freely and hazardous problems can quickly arise. Severe health problems and death can occur when a flue is blocked because of a buildup of nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and/or carbon monoxide.
4. Reduce the Heating Load
Sealing your home’s envelope is going to reduce its heat load, which is the amount of heat needed to comfortably warm your home at the temperature you set on the thermostat. You can use a wide variety of products to seal air leaks to help keep warm air in and cold air out.
This will not only save you money on your heating bill but also reduce the workload of your furnace and increase its lifespan.
5. Do A Perimeter Check
Make sure your furnace area is clear and there is nothing dangerous, flammable, or congestive nearby. Even though furnaces are usually located in storage areas like basements, crawl spaces, or even closets, they are not designed to work efficiently when surrounded by storage containers.
Remove all clothes, boxes, gasoline, aerosols, paint, and everything else; there should be no household items ever placed in the vicinity of your furnace.
Call on the Top HVAC Repair Company in the Bay Area
Whenever you need professional HVAC service near Solano, Vacaville, Fairfield, Berkeley, or throughout Contra Costa and Napa Counties, trust our award-winning team at A-1 Heating & Air, Inc. Contact us and schedule an appointment today for your HVAC system repair, replacement, or maintenance.
