How to Increase the Lifespan of Your Heating System
Heating systems only last so long before they need to be replaced. Each new heating system you buy for your Montgomery area home is a significant investment, so it makes sense to do what you can to increase the lifespan of your heating unit. Hans Heating&Air explains how to care for your HVAC system to ensure you gain the maximum from its service life.
1. Regular Maintenance
To extend the life of your heating system, maintenance should be performed on a regular basis. This means one professional tune up per year for your heating system (if you use a heat pump, the heat pump will receive two tune ups each year – one for cooling and one for heating). Ideally, you want to schedule heating maintenance in the fall before it’s time to turn on the heat, but if you forget, don’t skip the yearly tune up!
A professional tune up delivers careful service to all important system components. The tune up counteracts wear and tear sustained in previous years to help your system and its parts maintain their condition and reduce the risks of a breakdown. When you make professional maintenance a priority each year, you may be able to increase the heating system’s lifespan by several years.
2. Change Dirty Furnace Filters
The furnace or heat pump air filter won’t last forever. It needs to be replaced with a new filter once the existing filter becomes clogged with debris pulled from the air supply. The amount of time you can go between filter changes depends on the type of filter you use and the air quality of your home. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations to see how often air filter replacement is necessary, and do not exceed this range.
It’s a good idea to check the filter monthly with your own eyes. This way, you can see if the filter has filled up faster than expected and perform the change earlier if needed. Filters often require more frequent changing during the summer and winter when HVAC systems are in heavy use.
Running the system with a dirty furnace filter causes components to stress and waste energy. Parts can also overheat, causing them to break down. Forgetting filter changes can kill your furnace fast, so make them a priority to increase heating system lifespan.
3. Use the System Efficiently
The more you can give your heater a break, the more successful your efforts will be to increase the lifespan of your heating system. By choosing energy-efficient temperatures, using programmable or smart thermostats to set back temperatures when you’re not at home, and adjusting your heating usage to save energy, you’ll give your furnace or heat pump more breaks and increase heating system lifespan versus a system that runs constantly for several months on end.
Get Heating Help from Hans
Get the professional help you need to extend the life of your furnace, heat pump, or boiler. Hans Heating&Air helps Montgomery area homeowners make the most out of their heating systems with professional services including routine maintenance and repairs. Contact us today to schedule a service appointment with an HVAC technician.
