Your heating system needs regular care to keep it operating reliably and efficiently. There are a few common furnace maintenance pitfalls that can lead to damage, wear, and higher heating costs. Here are the main issues to watch out for and how to deal with each.

What to Watch Out For

1. Overuse

The higher you set your thermostat, the harder your heating system has to work to maintain the temperature. Past a certain point, high temperature settings are an inefficient use of fuel, and they also cause excessive wear and tear on the furnace—not to mention the risk of overheating. To avoid this, set your thermostat to about 68 degrees when you’re awake and at home, and lower during the night or when you leave the house.

2. Blocking the Registers

The registers are the vents in each room that deliver hot air from a central heating system. You may close them during the summer to keep dust and debris out. However, during the colder months, all registers should be open, and no furniture or other belongings should be on top or in front of them. This is because your central air system is designed to operate at a certain air pressure. When registers are blocked, there are fewer places for the air to escape, increasing the pressure. This can put holes in your air ducts and cause excess wear and tear on the system’s fans, so always keep the registers open when using the system.

3. Skipping Basic Maintenance

Your heating system’s air filter needs to be changed every one to three months to keep it from becoming clogged and blocking airflow. Also, the burners need cleaning once a year to remove buildup and allow the flame to burn steadily and cleanly. Without this regular maintenance, the system will run less efficiently and endure extra wear and tear, shortening its life. Meanwhile, if you notice a problem with the furnace, call for repairs right away; putting off maintenance can make the problem worse and lead to more costly repairs and a shorter furnace life span.

For HVAC repairs and heating maintenance in Avon, OH, choose Raymond Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. Serving Lorain County for over 65 years, this family-owned HVAC contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured, and is also a factory-authorized dealer for Carrier®. Learn more about their heating services online, or call (440) 244-5584 for 24/7 emergency service.