6 Tips to Make Your Morrilton, AR, Furnace Last Longer

Now that colder weather is on the way, it’s time to take care of fall maintenance before winter arrives. The average lifespan of an HVAC system is 10 to 15 years, with furnaces lasting about 20 years. While replacing your system is inevitable someday, here are six tips to make your Morrilton, AR, furnace last longer.

1. Clean or Change the Air Filters Regularly

While dirty air filters impact your home’s indoor air quality, they also impact how well your HVAC system functions. Dirty air filters make it more difficult for your HVAC system to circulate air throughout your home, putting more wear and tear on system components.

You may also experience restricted airflow in the form of cold or warm spots in the house. While you may blame your furnace on not being able to heat as it should, make sure your air filters aren’t clogged. Clogged air filters also cause your system to use more energy to keep you comfortable.

2. Improve Your Home Insulation

While you need your HVAC system to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer, if you can help your system more effectively heat your home, the longer it’ll last. One of the best ways to keep heat in your home so your system doesn’t run as long or as often is to improve the insulation. While the amount and type of insulation you need varies depending on where you live, almost every home can benefit from additional insulation.

Some signs that your home has insufficient insulation include drafts, uneven temperatures when you go from room to room and a second story that’s noticeably warmer than your main floor. Other signs include cold floors and walls, higher than normal energy bills and moisture condensation.

3. Maintain Your Ductwork

Dirty ductwork is another thing that can make your Morrilton, AR, home suffer from poor indoor air quality. Additionally, dust, pet dander and other contaminants build up in your ducts, creating obstructions. These obstructions make your furnace work harder to keep you comfortable while at the same time polluting your indoor air.

Another issue with ductwork that affects how long your furnace lasts is duct leakage. With duct leaks, you can lose up to 30% of your heated or cooled air, which drives your energy bills up.

4. Maintain a Set Temperature

Maintaining a constant temperature on your furnace’s thermostat helps to make your furnace last longer. One misconception people have is that if they turn up the temperature on their thermostat, the furnace will warm their house faster. Not only is this not the case, but adjusting your thermostat when you don’t need to increases the wear and tear on your furnace and its components.

5. Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance

Aside from maintaining a set temperature and routinely cleaning your air filters, another way to ensure that your furnace lasts longer is to schedule regular maintenance. An HVAC technician will inspect and clean your furnace system from top to bottom, preventing minor issues before they become expensive repair problems and enabling your furnace to continue running efficiently.

6. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

There are several factors that determine how hard your furnace works to keep your home comfortable. When you’re away from home at work or on vacation, your furnace still runs as it normally would, wasting energy that you’re not using. A programmable thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature on your thermostat for you, reducing your monthly energy bills.

Not only do you minimize energy costs when you switch to a smart thermostat, but you can also track your energy usage and control your thermostat remotely. Smart thermostats can give you insights on efficiency, and connected apps can make suggestions to further improve the longevity of your furnace.

As a homeowner, you want your furnace to last forever, even though you know that’s not possible. That’s why you should take steps to ensure that your furnace lasts as long as possible with the tips mentioned above. Contact Freyaldenhoven Heating and Cooling today for all your HVAC maintenance needs to keep your home comfortable and prevent potential damage.

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