The last thing you want in the middle of the colder months is for your gas furnace to break down, leaving you vulnerable until it can be repaired or replaced. The truth is, however, it happens all the time, and as winters are getting colder, gas furnaces have to work that much harder. The older furnaces get, the more often they have to be repaired until it simply makes more sense to replace them. However, you can take these tips to extend the life of your gas furnace and enjoy it for as long as possible.
Schedule Preventative Maintenance
It’s easy not to think about checking up on your gas furnace, because it’s tucked out of the way. We tend not to look into it until it’s time to turn it on or until there’s a problem. However, if you want to make sure your furnace lives for as long as possible, you should be doing regular maintenance so you can catch problems early on.
You can schedule yearly preventative maintenance with your HVAC contractor. They’ll check and clean the air filter, as well as making sure all the operable parts of the furnace are in good shape. They’ll even check for things like dust, mold, and mildew so your indoor air quality doesn’t suffer. This will help ensure that your furnace is in peak condition before winter, and if it’s not, you’ll have time to fix it.
Change Air Filters Regularly
This is an easy fix, but it’s well worth while for your gas furnace. Make sure you change your air filters regularly, especially during the colder months when the furnace is in use. The dirtier the filter, the harder the furnace will have to work, which can lead to high energy bills as well as wearing down of the machine itself. Clean filters keep your indoor air quality high as well as your furnace operation clean and smooth. Furnace filters should be changed every 2-3 months, depending on the size of the filter. If you’re not sure what kind of filters your furnace needs, you can ask a professional HVAC contractor.
Keep HVAC Ducts Clean
It’s not usually necessary to clean the furnace itself, as newer furnaces tend to be sealed. However, if your HVAC ducts are filled with dust, mold, or mildew, that can only be harmful to your furnace. Just like you should regularly schedule maintenance on your furnace and should regularly change air filters, you should also make sure that your HVAC ducts are regularly cleaned. It’s understandable not to feel qualified to clean them yourself. If you think your ducts need cleaning, make a service request with an HVAC contractor.
Install a Thermostat
A thermostat can help regulate how much your furnace works and ensure that it’s not in operation when it doesn’t need to be. This can help the furnace from becoming overworked and wearing down too easily. Programmable thermostats can run on an automated schedule, adjusting the heating in the home based on your needs. There are also WiFi thermostats that allow you to change the temperature in your home remotely, from an app on your smartphone.
The more care you put into your furnace, the longer it will last. Need maintenance or repairs done to help your gas furnace last as long as possible? Contact Air Solutions in Bryan-College Station today.
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