A major proportion of heating equipment is developed on forced air heating systems. These systems employ a furnace to heat the air and a blower, fan, or air handler to push the hot air through duct work into vents that ultimately expel it into your rooms. This is a simple way to distribute heat throughout the home. In order to maintain a particular temperature, a thermostat or another climate-control device regulates and controls the usage of the furnace. The difference between certain types of forced air heating systems is in the way the furnace heats air. You have several options available, including a gas furnace, an electric furnace, a heat pump or a hydronic coil.
Forced air heating systems are incredibly efficient as far as energy consumption. That is why they are usually incorporated with central air conditioning systems to provide year round temperature control. As a result, such systems end up heating and cooling your home, running all year round, depending on the season and according to your home comfort needs. Given the fact that heating and cooling is an essential part of you and your family’s comfort, you should be aware that there are ways to extend the life of forced air heating systems, and make sure that the entire system keeps running smoothly:
- Insulated duct work – It seems obvious that insulated duct work would make forced air heating systems more efficient and therefore would prolong its life by many years. Yet, many homes don’t have insulated duct work and a lot of the heat is lost as the hot air travels through the duct work, which ultimately causes the furnace to work harder and therefore reduce its operational life. Your duct work should be insulated any time it passes through unheated, or unconditioned space.
- Add a digital thermostat – Most forced air heating systems are already equipped with a digital and programmable thermostat. The thermostat is a smart solution that will not only make heating more convenient but will also contribute to extending the life of your heating system. The thermostat allows you to set the temperature you need in order to feel comfortable in your home at all times. That means that you should be able to set a lower temperature when not at home or during the night, which dramatically impacts the life of your heating system. If a system keeps running at maximum output throughout the winter months for years in a row, it will eventually break down. But if you allow it to heat your home with minimum efforts then you will enjoy a warm home and a properly operating heating system for many years to come.
- It doesn’t take a fortune to extend the life of forced air heating systems . These systems can be energy efficient and very convenient for homeowners, especially if proper maintenance is conducted regularly. A qualified professional with expertise in such heating systems should inspect your equipment thoroughly once a year and replace the parts that need to be replaced and clean the parts that need to be cleaned. It is not a major investment but it can add many years to the life of your heating system and to your home comfort.
The best way to keep your forced air furnace running well for years is to have your entire system serviced regularly by an HVAC professional. To schedule your next furnace service appointment, give us a call today.