Five Ways You May be Overworking Your Furnace

In the winter it is inevitable you will use your heater to keep your home comfortable. Unfortunately, furnaces don’t last forever. They will eventually wear out and break down. Sooner or later you will need a furnace replacement. And misusing your furnace or avoiding furnace repair in San Jose, CA will shorten its lifespan. Here are just a few of the things you might be doing wrong:

1. Letting in Cold Air

Leaving open windows and doors, even just a crack, will allow cold air to readily flow into the house. Not to mention all the small leaks and gaps that make windows and doors less efficient. These drafts can have a huge impact on the efficiency of your heating and overwork the system. It is important to perform an inspection of windows and doors, or a home energy audit to find these cracks and seal them up immediately.

2. Not Using a Programmable Thermostat

Sure, older thermostats work just fine and manually adjusting the temperature may not seem like a big deal. For these reasons many people put off upgrading their thermostat until they need a new HVAC system. But old thermostats tend to overwork the furnace. How many times have you accidentally left the heat on high all day while you are at work? Or how often do you forget to lower the thermostat at night while you sleep? Programmable thermostats not only prevent these mistakes but also work on your schedule to help the system run at peak efficiency. You might even consider taking it a step further and upgrading to a smart thermostat you can track and adjust with an app on your phone.

3. Neglecting the Air Filters

It is surprising how many people still forget to check on their air filters. These are not simply in place to clean the air. They promote healthy airflow and keep dirt and debris out of the system. A dirty filter restricts airflow, causing the furnace to work twice as hard to heat the home. It can also introduce dirt and grime into the mechanics, causing parts to wear out and break down. This is why it is so important to check the filters once a month and replace them before they get too clogged.

4. Turning the Temperature Up to Heat Faster

When you are cold it is tempting to crank up the temperature in hopes that it will warm the home quickly. But this isn’t how the furnace works. It will heat the home at the same rate, no matter the temperature setting. And if you forget to adjust the temperature back down, it will only overheat the home and overwork the system.

5. Blocking the Air Vents

It is easy to accidentally block heat returns with furniture, curtains, or other objects. But if the vents are obstructed the furnace cannot evenly heat the home. Some parts will be warm and toasty while others remain chill. For optimal heating, you want to be sure all the return vents are open and unobstructed.

If you have been overworking your furnace for years, it is likely the system will break down and require furnace repair in San Jose, CA. Don’t worry. You can contact the Pelle Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide great professional service with the highest quality materials and equipment. For more information stop by 1045 N 10th St San Jose, CA 95112. Or if you have questions regarding your furnace contact us at (408) 800-2791.