5 Tips for Adding Years to Your Furnace in Gatlinburg, TN

Under normal conditions, a furnace can last between 15 to 20 years. Since a new furnace installation is a big investment, it’s essential to do everything you can to properly care for it so that it lasts for many years to come. Here are five tips to help you add more years to your furnace in Gatlinburg, TN:

Changing Filters Regularly

The filter is your heating system’s first line of defense against dust, dirt, grunge, foreign agents and other contaminants. When you fail to change it regularly, your furnace filter can get clogged and cause the unit to blow cold air, shortening its service life. Clogged filters also decrease airflow through the furnace, forcing the unit to work harder to maintain the desired indoor temperatures.

Overworking your furnace can shorten its lifespan, but you can ease the strain on your system and make it last for many years by changing the filter. How frequently you change your filters depends on their quality and your home. For instance, if you live close to a construction site or your home has pets, you’ll need to change your air filters more frequently.

Repairing or Replacing Insulation

Fixing air leaks and repairing insulation is also an effective way to prolong your heating unit’s life. Air leaks rob your living space of warm air and force your furnace to work harder to reach and maintain the set indoor temperatures. The strain on the furnace’s motor can also significantly reduce the lifespan of your heating unit.

Your basement, windows, doors, bathroom vents, kitchen air vents and your pipes’ entry points are the common culprits that allow heated air to escape. Seal any openings and gaps in these areas to prevent air leaks. Repairing or replacing your home’s insulation can also ease your heating unit’s workload during the cold season, extending its service life.

Scheduling Furnace Maintenance and Tune-ups

Another way to extend your heating unit’s life is by scheduling autumn tune-ups and annual preventative maintenance. A seasonal inspection will allow your heating expert to fully inspect your furnace. This way, service technicians can discover small problems before they become expensive or emergency repairs.

During maintenance visits, the service technicians will clean the condensate drains, lubricate the moving parts, make minor adjustments and test all components to ensure your furnace is running optimally. Also, furnace maintenance keeps the unit’s components from deteriorating quickly due to wear and tear, meaning your heating system will remain in tip-top condition for many years.

Cleaning Your Ductwork

Air ducts are responsible for distributing and regulating air from the cooling and heating systems to every part of your house. However, your ductwork can accumulate pollen, pet dander, dirt, dust particles and other contaminants when you don’t keep them clean. As a result, there will be an inefficient flow of heated or conditioned air, leading to the formation of cold and warm spots in your residence.

Your heating system will also have to run for longer periods and overwork to maintain the set indoor conditions. Overworking your furnace can strain the unit and lead to increased wear and tear of the components, causing premature failures amid the wet Gatlinburg, TN, winters. Professional duct cleaning and maintenance services can help prevent premature furnace breakdowns and prolong your unit’s lifespan.

Don’t Ignore Heating Repairs

If you notice an issue with your heating unit or it’s not working well, contact a heating professional to inspect it immediately. Whether it’s a malfunctioning belt, a blocked condensate line or the unit blowing cold air, you don’t want to damage any other part of the unit.

If you wait, small problems can quickly grow into more complicated ones requiring costly repairs. Sometimes, allowing small furnace issues to go without getting repaired can lead to extensive damage or a permanent breakdown, which requires an emergency replacement.

Keeping your furnace well maintained is the best way to avoid premature failure of the unit and a shortened lifespan. Consider scheduling preventive maintenance with a professional heating expert yearly to keep your home’s furnace running for many years. To get the best maintenance plan for your furnace, call to talk to our heating experts at Pol’s Heating and Cooling, LLC today.

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