3 Ways To Prevent Your Furnace From Dying Next Winter

Do you live in a colder area of the country? Are you excited about spring and summer because it means that you no longer have to deal with the furnace that's installed in your home? Having to deal with a failing furnace is never fun, especially if it happens to break down on a cold winter day. Fortunately, you have the summer to set aside enough money for a more complete furnace repair or replacement than you were able to have done this past winter. Once your furnace is either in good working order or has been completely replaced, the right maintenance steps can help ensure that it remains in good shape for as long as possible. Some things that you'll need to do include:

Replace filters regularly: In a misguided attempt to save money, many people don't replace their furnace filters as often as they should. Most filters are rated for 30 days, but you can also find ones rated for 60 or 90 days, depending on what you want to filter out and your inside environment. But if you have any pets, the pet hair that gets drawn into the filter will cause the filter to need replacement more quickly than if you do not have a pet. Instead of relying on dates, check your filter on a regular basis and replace it as necessary. Failure to replace the filter can cause the furnace to overheat or cause excess stress to the circulating fan, both of which can result in a premature need for a furnace repair call.

Have vents checked: Vents that are dirty or that are otherwise in need of maintenance can be nearly as bad as clogged filters. For instance, consider a vent that has managed to partially come apart at the seams, allowing warm air to escape into your attic or crawlspace. Since the air is going into your attic or crawlspace, it's not going to be heating your home. If it's not heating your home, you're going to be under the impression that you need a furnace repair due to a malfunction. In reality, having a heating & cooling professional — like those at A & A Service Company — put the vent back together may be all that you need in order to have a warm home.

Annual tune-up: Once you have a furnace that's in good condition, an annual inspection is going to be one of the best ways to avoid having to pay for any serious furnace repair. An inspection and tune-up will catch most potential issues before they become serious problems, meaning that you're much less likely to get stuck with a suddenly broken furnace in the dead of winter.