While we don’t depend on our furnaces here in Yuma to the degree that homeowners do in more northerly climes, we sure do want them working right when one of our rare cool fronts sends temperatures plummeting. Then, there are those cool desert evenings when you want the furnace on now and then just to take the chill out of the house.
Despite the fact that you don’t really put a lot of wear and tear on your furnace, you may be noticing some decline in its performance. Or, maybe you’ve heard some suspicious noises that have made you wonder what your furnace’s life span may be.
That’s why, even though you don’t use your furnace heavily, you should invest in regular maintenance every year. Replacing worn parts before they break down can save you plenty of money and extend the life span of your furnace.
Here are a few tips for keeping your furnace running right:
- Change the Filter. This is usually easy to do. If you don’t know where your filter is, get your HVAC tech to show you, and ask for a demonstration on how to change it. Keeping a clean air filter in the equipment helps air flow through the unit. Parts work better, without friction, so that they last longer. Also, the furnace will heat the home more efficiently.
- Get the Furnace Serviced. Today’s furnaces are a lot more sophisticated than in the olden days, when you really just had to clean the thermocouple, pilot igniter, and burners, and check the heat exchanger for corrosion and cracks. Nowadays, the igniter should be checked with an ohmmeter; burners must be pulled, cleaned, and aligned, in addition to inspecting the heat exchanger; and the system static pressure should be checked.
- Cold Spots in the Home? Ask your tech to help you find the reason for cold spots in your home and what to do about it, rather than just cranking up the thermostat and wearing out your furnace.
For more on furnace life span, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. We provide quality maintenance, repairs, and installations in Yuma.
