Taking care of a furnace is certainly best left to the professionals. However, that doesn’t mean that there is nothing to do as a homeowner. In fact, there are quite a few things that can be done by anyone. These practices have an impact on how long an HVAC unit can last and how expensive the repairs are. We got a furnace repair Manasquan professional to give us some recommendations on how to best care for a furnace.

Attend to Your Air Filter

One thing all HVAC professionals recommend to every homeowner is to be sure to attend to the air filter in your furnace every few months. The first step in taking proper care of an air filter is to ensure you are using the right one. All air filters have a rating and using the wrong one can cause damage to your furnace.

Selecting an air filter that is not strong enough may allow large particles to enter the HVAC system. These particles can block air flow within the system or infiltrate parts that can break the whole machine.

A filter that is too strong can do just as much damage to a furnace. An air filter that doesn’t allow enough air to flow through it will put your furnace under unnecessary stress causing increased wear and tear. An improperly rated air filter will inevitably require a replacement system to be purchased long before the average lifespan.

Set Your Thermostat Appropriately

Just as the wrong filter can break your furnace, using your thermostat correctly goes a long way towards keeping your system free from furnace repair Manasquan appointments. For one, always be sure not to stress the system by setting the thermostat either too high or too low. In winter, if you find yourself comfortable at 72°F, you can try, instead, setting your thermostat a few degrees cooler. The less work your furnace does, the longer it will last. No matter how cold it is, a furnace should never need to run continuously. Keeping your thermostat clean, changing the batteries often, and programming set schedules all help to keep it operating right.

Don’t Leave Your Furnace Off Your Cleaning List

When you make a cleaning list, don’t forget to include your furnace on that list. The air filter is supposed to block dirt and debris from entering the system, but a better way to avoid particles from getting past a filter is to remove them from the environment. Keeping the space around your furnace as well as the surface of the furnace itself clean helps the unit last as long as possible.

To start, don’t store things like totes or boxes or large piles of anything too close to your furnace. A good rule of thumb is to give your furnace about 3-feet of space all around for the best performance.

Second, keeping the exterior of anything makes it easier to keep the inside clean. This absolutely goes for your furnace. Part of an annual inspection by a furnace repair Manasquan technician is a thorough cleaning, both inside and out. Homeowners that maintain a clean furnace often pay less for their inspections and need less repairs.

Unblock Your Vents and Registers to Avoid Furnace Repair in Manasquan

Long ago, it was believed that you could save money when using your furnace by closing off vents and keeping doors to unused rooms closed. Now, however, it is understood that this isn’t true. This can end up costing homeowners more money in the long run. Shutting or blocking vents causes extra stress on an HVAC system just like a dirty air filter. Occasionally, vents are blocked on accident by furniture, rugs, drapery, or other items. Take a walk around your house and make sure there is nothing sitting in front of, over or otherwise blocking air from exiting a vent. Floor vents can sometimes also be closed without your knowledge by being bumped so ensure all your vents remain open at all times. Every HVAC system is specifically designed for the space it is found in. Therefore, eliminating air flow exits puts unnecessary strain on the units.  

Furnace Repair Manasquan Professionals Recommend an Inspection Most of All

The easiest and most important task of all is to schedule annual maintenance of a furnace by a professional. These inspections provide cleaning and minor repairs to ensure the unit will last as long as possible. Plus, these services also maintain an efficient furnace. Furnace repair Manasquan every year greatly reduces the likelihood of major damages and allows the unit to operate at its highest efficiency possible.