Your furnace is an integral part of your HVAC system. When temperatures drop, your furnace comes to your rescue. It helps maintain a comfortable home temperature by blowing hot air into every room.
Returning home to a furnace that is not heating properly on a chilly winter night can be frustrating. From usage habits to age, various factors can impact the efficiency of your furnace.
Here are some tips and tricks to boost furnace efficiency.
Inspect and Replace Air Filters Regularly
The filters of your furnace prevent common pollutants such as dust and dirt particles, dander, and pollen from clogging it. Over time, dust accumulates and settles on filters, clogging them.
Clogged filters are one of the most common causes of heating problems. A clogged filter is unable to perform its functions. If you ignore the problem, things may get from bad to worse, and you may end up spending a ton of money on expensive repairs.
A dirty filter will cause airflow problems. A furnace with clogged filters is forced to work harder than usual to heat your home. The resulting stress can cut short the lifespan of your furnace.
How often you need to change your filters depends on a lot of things. Though HVAC experts recommend replacing air filters once every three months, consider performing the activity more often if you have pets, kids, or senior citizens at home.
Use Your Curtains Wisely
To reduce stress on your furnace, add natural sunlight to your home. Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to let sunlight in. Remember to close them at night to prevent heat loss.
Do Not Skip Maintenance
Regular maintenance is essential to keep your furnace in optimal condition. Have your furnace inspected and maintained by an HVAC professional at least once every year (preferably before the heating season).
Stick to your maintenance schedule even if you do not notice any signs of furnace problems. Remember, some signs of furnace issues can go unnoticed for days, even weeks.
Routine furnace maintenance gives the HVAC expert an opportunity to keep an eye on the health of your furnace. During maintenance sessions, your HVAC expert will conduct various tests to diagnose current and potential problems. The professional will move swiftly to nip furnace issues in the bud, helping prevent expensive repairs.
During a furnace maintenance session, your HVAC contractor will:
➢ Inspect the vent and air intake grills. The professional will look for and remove blockages
➢ Inspect the burner and flame sensor
➢ Check and calibrate the thermostat as required
➢ Inspect the electrical connections, and tighten them as needed. Damaged wiring will be replaced
➢ Lubricate all moving parts
➢ Check the heat exchanger for signs of damage or corrosion
➢ Check and clean the blower
➢ Check and replace air filters, if needed
➢ Check the belts for signs of damage or cracks
➢ Inspect the blower motor
Some benefits of furnace maintenance:
➢ You will save more in the long run
➢ Regular maintenance minimizes the risk of unexpected breakdowns
➢ Increases furnace lifespan
➢ With regular maintenance, you will have peace of mind
Clean Your Ducts and Make Sure They Are Sealed
The importance of regular duct cleaning cannot be emphasized enough. Clean ducts enable warm air to move freely around your home. A furnace with unclean ducts is forced to work harder to distribute warm air.
Make sure your ducts are sealed, as faulty ducts can leak up to 20 percent of warm air, forcing your furnace to go into overdrive. To prevent this from happening, ask an HVAC professional to check and seal your ductwork.
Use Ceiling Fans
Yes, you read that right! Though it may seem odd to use ceiling fans in the heating season, they can help reduce your heating bills. Heat tends to rise and collect near the ceiling. Run your ceiling fan on low to push the warm air down to the floor. This will help circulate warm air throughout your home.
Keep the Area Around Your Furnace Clear
Most families keep their furnace in their basement, where they also store several belongings. Regardless of where your furnace is installed, keep at least three to five foot area around it clear. This will allow the air to circulate freely.
Maintain Proper Humidity Levels
As winter approaches, the air in our homes tends to get drier. Use a humidifier to maintain humidity levels in your home to 40 percent. This will have a positive impact on your furnace’s ability to transfer heat.
Make Sure Registers Are Not Blocked
The efficiency of your furnace is heavily dependent on its ability to freely circulate air throughout your home. If you are experiencing a furnace airflow problem, inspect your registers. Make sure none of the registers are blocked by furniture. Check and clean the cover, if required. When purchasing decorative registers, make sure they do not restrict airflow.
Are you looking for a reliable furnace repair expert near you? Look no further than Connolly Heating and Air Conditioning. We have a sustainable and cost-effective solution for every furnace problem. No matter how complex your problem, we will come up with a solution fully customized to your needs. , call us at 925-288-1408.
