Your furnace is an investment in your home’s comfort and warmth. When you have a reliable furnace, you can stay warm all winter long, no matter how cold it is outside.
With proper maintenance, your furnace can last up to 15 or more years. However, if you don’t take good care of your furnace, you might need to replace it after only a few years.
If you’re looking for ways to extend your furnace’s lifespan and ensure it stands the test of time, keep reading to learn expert tips from Genuine Comfort, including investing in a high-quality furnace, changing your filters regularly, and scheduling annual maintenance.
1. Invest in a High-Quality Furnace
The first thing you can do to extend your furnace’s lifespan is invest in quality. Not all furnaces are created equal, and some brands are much more dependable than others. It’s important to do your research to ensure your furnace can withstand the rigors of daily use without breaking down.
Furnaces from unreliable brands may wear out faster, leading to costly repairs or replacements. There’s only so much you can do to keep a cheap furnace in good condition; even regular maintenance can’t quite make up for a lack of quality.
If you’re shopping for a new furnace, it’s a good idea to check sources like Consumer Reports to compare furnace brands. Stick to the top of the list, and avoid brands near the bottom. You can also get recommendations from local HVAC professionals like Genuine Comfort.
These top-tier brands may come with a higher initial cost, but they make up for it with long-term performance and efficiency. In fact, you’ll likely save money in the long run by avoiding frequent repairs and premature replacements.
2. Change Your Filters Regularly
Once you’ve installed your new furnace, you must take good care of it. Changing your air filters regularly is a simple, yet effective way to extend your furnace’s lifespan and ensure it runs efficiently.
Clogged filters can restrict airflow, making the system work harder to circulate air throughout your home. The harder your HVAC system works, the more strain is placed on it, leading to premature wear and tear. It may not seem like a big deal, but over time, clogged air filters can cause serious issues that necessitate costly repairs.
If you’re not sure how often to change your air filters, check your owner’s manual or ask an HVAC professional. Typically, you should change your filter about every three months; however, there are factors that may require more frequent replacement, including:
- Pets: If you have pets that shed, you may want to consider changing your filter more frequently. The dust, dander, and hair can build up quickly, not only affecting air flow but air quality, as well.
- Climate: Homes in dry or dusty climates may require more frequent filter replacements. Pay close attention to how quickly build-up appears on your filter so you know when it’s time to replace it.
- System age: As your system ages, it becomes less efficient. Changing your air filter more frequently can help compensate for reduced performance.
3. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
Finally, scheduling annual maintenance can extend your furnace’s lifespan by ensuring it remains in optimal condition. Routine tune-ups by an HVAC professional can improve the furnace’s efficiency, prevent major breakdowns, and identify potential issues early.
During an annual tune-up appointment, the technician typically inspects each component, cleans the parts, and checks for leaks. If there’s a problem, they can address it right away, preventing it from escalating.
Skipping maintenance can lead to costly repairs or premature system failure, so if you want to extend your furnace’s lifespan, make sure you schedule tune-ups every year. The long-term benefits of preventative maintenance far outweigh the initial cost.
Extend Your Furnace’s Lifespan with Genuine Comfort
At Genuine Comfort, we have many years of experience working with furnaces. If you’re looking for ways to extend your furnace’s lifespan, we recommend investing in quality, changing your air filter often, and seeking annual tune-ups from our expert technicians. Following these steps will help extend your furnace’s lifespan and save you money in the long run.
Contact Genuine Comfort today for furnace recommendations or professional maintenance services.
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