During the winter months, many homeowners don't pay much attention to their furnace as long as it is working properly and keeping the house warm. But when a furnace fails completely and needs to be replaced it can be very expensive, so it is best to do whatever you can to keep your furnace in good operating condition for as long as possible. Use the following tips to help extend the lifespan of your furnace:

Schedule Regular Maintenance

One of the essential keys to extending the lifespan of your furnace is regular maintenance performed by a registered HVAC technician. During a furnace tune-up, the technician will fully examine all of the components of your furnace to ensure that they are in good working order. It is a good idea to have your furnace maintenance done in the early fall before it gets too cold.

Reduce Moisture in Your Home

If you live in an area that can be very humid, it is important to do what you can to reduce the moisture levels inside your home. When it is too humid, rust can form on the heat exchanger of your furnace, which can dramatically reduce the expected lifespan of a furnace. Get in the habit of looking at your furnace on a regular basis year round—if there is moisture building up on the heat exchanger, you may want to consider installing a dehumidifier in your home.

Don't Forget to Change the Air Filter

Changing a furnace air filter takes just a few minutes, but many homeowners forget to do this simple task. A dirty filter blocks the airflow inside a furnace, which can lead to the unit overheating. Regularly overheating can lower the lifespan of the heat exchanger, and when the heat exchanger no longer works properly you will need to replace the furnace. 

Take Care of Small Problems

Pay attention to your furnace when it is running, and don't ignore small problems. Things like odd smells, strange noises, or a change in how well the furnace heats your home should be addressed promptly. When you take care of furnace issues quickly by calling an HVAC technician, there is a better chance that repairs can be made and old parts can be replaced. If you just ignore small problems, the issue is likely to get bigger and eventually the whole furnace will fail and need to be replaced. 

For more information on furnace care and repair, consider contacting companies like Custom Comfort.