Having a furnace is a true godsend if you live in a place that gets uncomfortably cold outside in the winter. It keeps your home toasty and warm, even as the temperatures outside drop dramatically.
While a crucial part of staying warm in the winter, your furnace is also expensive. Many people spend hundreds of dollars (if not far more) each year to heat their home. But thankfully, there are some ways to cut the costs and help your furnace run as efficiently as possible, and this article is going to look at a few of them.
Get it Maintained and Inspected Annually
Likely the best way to keep your furnace working well is to have it inspected and maintained by a professional. Your city is likely home to plenty of companies that specialize in furnace repair that you can reach out to. In most cases, an annual inspection and maintenance visit should do the trip, but feel free to do it more frequently if you feel like you need it.
Even if nothing seems wrong, having an expert come out can make sure that nothing problematic is developing behind the scenes, and everything is working as it should. During the inspection, the experts will put your furnace through a lot of tests, and check everything to make sure it is working well.
Keep the Filter Clean
Another way to make sure that your furnace is running efficiently is to make sure the filter stays clean. Your furnace filter aims to keep dust and dirt out of your system, to keep it working well. The filters can often help improve your indoor air quality.
Over time, the filter will become clogged up with debris, and will need to be changed or cleaned. If not, it can ruin the efficiency of your system and lead to it working much harder than it needed to. As far as how often to change your furnace filter, there is no single correct answer. Some need to be changed monthly, while others can last a couple of months before needing to be swapped for a new one.
Seal up Any Cracks or Air Leaks
Oftentimes, the reason your furnace is inefficient is because of cracks or air leaks around your home. If there are places where warm indoor air can escape and cool outdoor air can come inside, it can often ruin your heating efforts and make your heater run for much longer, increasing the wear and tear that it takes on.
Therefore, if you want your furnace to be as efficient as possible, you need to consider air sealing your home. This involves identifying and filling any air gaps or leaks, as well as making sure you close windows and doors when running your furnace.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can ensure that your furnace will be able to run as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible.
