Tips to Avoid Overworking Your Furnace This Winter

furnace repair services

Keep Your Furnace Healthy This Winter

Did you know it’s possible to overwork your furnace? Your heating system works hard to keep your house at an optimal temperature, especially in Auburn Hills, where temperatures can drop below 18°F. 

Many people take their home’s heat for granted, but it’s important to be aware of how you’re using your furnace and treat it as an investment, taking care of it so it can take care of you. Keeping your system well-maintained and avoiding overworking your furnace prevents breakdowns, helps you save on your energy bills, and ensures good long-term performance. 

Read on to learn how to avoid strain on your furnace this winter so you and your family can stay warm and comfortable through the coldest months of the year.

How Does Overworking Affect Your Furnace?

Overworking your furnace means you’re asking more from your heating system than it’s built to provide. When your furnace overworks, it can cause increased wear and tear on the furnace, reduced winter furnace efficiency, and potential breakdowns. 

Some signs your furnace is overworked include:

  • Inconsistent heating throughout your home
  • Constant cycling (turning on and off without ever thoroughly heating the room)
  • Unusual noises like banging or screeching coming from the furnace
  • Frequent repairs are needed on your home heating system
  • You’re constantly adjusting the thermostat to find your desired temperature

An overworked furnace costs money. You’ll pay more for repairs and energy bills while reducing the total lifespan of your furnace. Luckily, there are some ways you can save money and reduce the wear and tear on your home heating system. 

Optimize Your Thermostat Settings

A simple way to keep your furnace running well is to avoid using it when you don’t have to. This means turning your thermostat down when you’re not home. You can use a programmable or smart thermostat to adjust the temperatures automatically while you’re sleeping or at work, so your furnace doesn’t have to run at full blast 24 hours a day. 

One of the top tips for furnace care in winter is to avoid cranking up the thermostat when you’re feeling chilly. Instead, look up the recommended thermostat settings for comfort and efficiency (usually 68°F), set the thermostat to the desired temperature, and be patient as the house warms. This helps you avoid making constant adjustments and reduces stress on your furnace. 

Improve Home Insulation To Retain Heat

Keeping the cold air outside reduces the amount of reliance you have on your furnace. Here are some simple ways to reduce the cold in your home.

Seal drafts

Seal air leaks around your windows, doors, and vents by applying caulk or weatherstripping anywhere that feels drafty. Also, replace uninsulated windows with double-pane windows, fix faulty weatherstripping, and don’t forget to seal around the fireplace. 

Insulation

Upgrade the insulation in your walls and attic to keep warm air inside and cool air outside. Insulation improves your furnace efficiency, reducing wear and tear while keeping you comfortable.

Window treatments

Window treatments are another simple way to keep out the cold. Put up insulated curtains and blinds to keep your heat inside where it belongs. You can also install window insulation film, which acts as a thermal barrier, reflecting heat into the room.

Keep Your Furnace in Top Condition

Furnace maintenance is key to extending your furnace’s lifespan and keeping it running at peak efficiency. A simple DIY task is regularly changing the air filters to improve the airflow and overall efficiency of your furnace. Make sure your vents and registers are clean, and there are no obstructions like rugs or furniture preventing air from flowing freely. 

At Hoover, we offer professional maintenance plans that make preventing furnace wear and tear easy. We’ll make sure your furnace is in peak working condition and ready to heat your house all winter long. A professional tune-up is recommended at least once per year, preferably in the late summer or early fall.

Our HVAC technicians are experienced in working with all sorts of home heating systems, and they use a comprehensive furnace maintenance checklist to spot small problems before they become big issues. They’ll clean, service, and tune your furnace to prepare you for the upcoming cold snap.

Reduce Dependence on Your Furnace

Incorporating different heating methods into your daily routine can reduce the wear on your furnace. Some alternative ways to keep warm include:

  • Warming up with a space heater or fireplace
  • Cuddling with a heated blanket 
  • Encouraging the family to dress warmly, layering up while indoors
  • Use the sun’s heat during the day to let natural warmth in, then close the curtains at night to retain heat in your home

Avoid Common Heating Mistakes

Some common heating mistakes many people make include:

  • Accidentally covering heat vents or registers with furniture or other objects
  • Ignoring warning signs like new furnace noises or performance issues
  • Forgetting to change the filter
  • Ignoring ductwork leaks or forgetting to insulate ducts, causing heat loss
  • Overusing emergency heat settings, which strains the system and increases energy consumption

Save Energy Without Sacrificing Comfort

If you’re looking for a few simple ways to stay toasty warm this winter while saving on your next energy bill, try these tips:

  • Set the thermostat to a slightly cooler home temperature and compensate by wearing more clothes and using blankets.
  • Close off unused rooms to reduce the work the furnace has to do.
  • Install a humidifier — humid air feels warmer.

When To Call a Professional

If your furnace shows signs of struggling, like uneven heating, strange sounds or smells, frequent cycling, or rising energy bills, it might be time to schedule a professional inspection. 

Our HVAC experts at Hoover Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offer professional heating maintenance and repair services. We’ll look for signs your furnace is overworking and answer questions like, “Why is my furnace running constantly?” We can fix any heating issue fast, detect hidden problems, and optimize performance so you can count on your furnace to run safely and efficiently. 

If your furnace is acting strangely or you simply want to find out whether you need repair work done, Hoover offers professional advice you can trust. Schedule routine care to prevent overworking your furnace, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any heating issues.

Call Hoover For All Your HVAC Needs

Auburn Hills residents can count on Hoover Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to keep their furnace running well, so you don’t have to worry about breakdowns when temperatures dip and things start to freeze. 

We provide furnace maintenance, repair, and heating installation to keep you warm all winter. We’ve been offering courteous, professional service to our customers in Southeast Michigan since 1980. Because we offer all the services you need for residential maintenance under one roof, we can offer free estimates, extremely competitive pricing, and financing options while maintaining great customer service and guaranteed satisfaction. 

When you’re looking for top-quality electrical, plumbing, heating, or cooling services in Auburn Hills, contact Hoover through our website or call 586-232-9204 to schedule service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to avoid overworking my furnace?

Overworking your furnace leads to more breakdowns, higher repair costs, and more expensive energy bills. 

How does overworking my furnace affect my energy bills?

An overworked furnace stops running at peak efficiency and uses more energy to heat your home. This, in turn, increases your energy bills. 

Can an overworked furnace lead to a breakdown?

Yes. When a furnace runs constantly or is always turned up to high heat settings, it has to work harder than usual, which causes it to wear out faster.

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