During the fall in Auburn, AL, you may need your HVAC system to cool your home during the day and heat your home at night. This extra usage and switching back and forth from heat to cold could add some extra wear and tear to your HVAC system. Below are six tips you can use to help your furnace last longer.
Add Insulation
You may think of insulation as something that only keeps your home warmer during the cooler months, but insulation also keeps your home cool during the summer. When your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep you comfortable, it will last longer. A technician can evaluate the weak spots in your insulation, and you can also insulate your basement or add more insulation to your wall cavities.
Don’t Delay on Furnace Repairs
HVAC repairs may be expensive, but it’s easy to prevent the need for most repairs with routine maintenance. With regular maintenance, your service technician identifies potential issues before they require a big repair. When you skip maintenance and wait for problems to happen, chances are your HVAC system or furnace will have more costly repairs and have a shorter lifespan.
Install a Smart Thermostat
Since thermostats control your HVAC system and determine when your HVAC system turns on and off, it makes sense to replace your old thermostat. The average service life of a thermostat is 10 years, and if you have a non-programmable thermostat or even one with a needle, it’s definitely time for an upgrade.
A smart thermostat is easy to program, and can learn your habits and schedule, so you don’t have to adjust anything. You can even access your thermostat remotely with an app on your smartphone to make any adjustments that you need. This saves money on your utility bills.
Regularly Change Furnace Air Filters
Dirty air filters make your HVAC system work harder to circulate the air through your home. This lowers your HVAC system’s efficiency, which causes your system to use more energy than it should to keep you comfortable. While your HVAC technician will check your filters during the maintenance process, it’s relatively easy for you to clean or replace the air filters yourself.
Not only is a clean or brand-new filter good for the HVAC system, but it’s good for your indoor air quality, too. Dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and other pollutants become trapped in the air filter. When it gets too dirty, it allows allergens to circulate in the home’s air, aggravating allergies and asthma in those who suffer from these conditions as well as impacting healthy people.
Run Ceiling Fans Counterclockwise
Since heat rises and cooler air sinks to the floor, one helpful way to warm your home more effectively is to turn on your ceiling fan. Setting your ceiling fans in a counterclockwise direction directs warm air back down towards the floor. This way, your rooms stay warmer and your furnace doesn’t have to stay on as long. This is another way to reduce winter energy bills while increasing your comfort.
Seal and Clean Ductwork
HVAC ductwork is another cause for inefficient heating, higher utility bills, and shortened furnace lifespans. According to the EPA, 20% to 30% of the air that moves through ductwork leaks out due to cracks, holes and improperly sized ductwork. Having properly sized ductwork does wonders when it comes to retaining heated air, as does having your ductwork checked for leaks and sealing those leaks.
Dust, mildew, and other pollutants create airflow obstruction that causes wear and tear in furnace components and makes your furnace work harder, driving your energy bills higher. Not only that, but dirty ductwork pollutes your indoor air.
Because a faulty furnace or will not adequately heat your home or keep your family comfortable, consider all the aforementioned tips. Also, be sure to have your furnace tune-up before winter arrives in full force. Contact our team at Sensigreen Heating, Cooling & Insulation today to learn more about how our HVAC maintenance plans would benefit you.
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