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How to Extend the Life of Your Heater

A hand turning the dial on a white radiator

How to Extend the Life of Your Heater

Let’s face it - HVAC systems are not cheap, and having an unexpected repair or replacement may put unnecessary strain on your budget. The good news is that it’s relatively simple to keep your heating system running smoothly and cut down on unnecessary repairs. Follow these tips to extend the life of your heating system.

Don’t Overwork The System

Use the Auto-Fan Setting

A popular feature of modern HVAC systems is an “auto-fan” setting. This setting means that the fan will only run when the HVAC system is actively in use. Without the auto-fan, the system would be running all the time, wasting energy and money.

Get a Properly-Sized System

When you get a new heater installed, you’ll want to make sure to get a heating load calculation test to ensure your system fits well in your home. A system that’s too small will run continuously and still not be able to heat your home. When the system is too big, it will be turning off and on frequently, causing unnecessary wear and tear.

Make Sure Your Home is Sealed

Energy efficiency doesn’t just come from the energy source. Ensuring your home is properly sealed will help maintain a more consistent indoor temperature and require less effort from your heater. Also, making sure ductwork is sealed will cut down on many potential energy losses. And energy losses = money losses.

Perform Regular Maintenance

One of the best ways to extend your heater’s life is to get annual maintenance or tune-ups from a local HVAC professional. Valairco offers a maintenance program that gives you yearly peace of mind by having a technician make sure everything is working correctly. Technicians can find the root of potential problems and take corrective action before they get worse. Down the road, inefficiencies can become full-blown problems that need repairs.

Schedule these tune-ups in either the spring or fall, depending on when your system uses the most energy. This will ensure your system is ready for the coming season, and any inefficiencies are found and taken care of.

You’ll also want to manage the accessible components of your heating system. Change out your air filters often, and clean them during the busy season. Cleaning out your ducts will also help reduce dust buildup, which can hinder proper airflow.

Manage Your Use

Get a Smart Thermostat

There are easy ways to keep tabs on your energy usage, which will reduce your monthly bills and extend your heater’s life. A smart thermostat puts a lot of control in your hands that can help you fine-tune your energy consumption.

Smart thermostats connect to your phone through WiFi or cellular data and let you put usage limits. It also gives you more control when you aren’t home.

Give Your Heater a Break

Consider giving your whole system a break when you don’t need it. If the temperature outside is mild, shut the system off, and use other methods to keep yourself warm. Heating blankets, space heaters, and proper insulation are alternate ways to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Also, if it’s wintertime, open up your blinds in the morning and let the sun provide natural heat, saving both energy and money for you.

Set Reasonable Temperatures

In extreme temperatures, it can be tempting to crank your thermostat to its highest point. But doing this will use an unnecessary amount of energy and put a strain on your system. Instead, keep the thermostat at a comfortable level to manage the effort of your unit.

HVAC Services in Somerset County

Since 1968, Valairco has offered exceptional HVAC services in Somerset County. We are family-owned and operated and committed to providing the best value around through our stellar workmanship, industry-leading warranties, and affordable prices and maintenance packages. Call us today at (855) 661-3300 to request a free estimate.