With the start of the New Year, everyone makes New Year’s resolutions to inspire positive change in their lives. It is also a time to try and break bad habits we have accumulated over the years. With that in mind, Team Harding would like to highlight tendencies homeowners have that are likely damaging their heating system and could lead to furnace replacement.
Bad Habit #1 – Neglecting Your Air Filter
Everyone has busy lives, and we understand that furnace maintenance is not always a top priority; but neglecting your air filter can have dire consequences. Operating a furnace with dirty filters restricts airflow, which causes hot air to build up in the furnace. Eventually, a safety feature (the limit switch) will engage, preventing the furnace’s burners from igniting and causing the furnace to blow cold air instead of warm air throughout your home. Repetitive overheating will likely lead to a breakdown and require furnace replacement.
Bad Habit #2 – Closing Vents in Underused Rooms
In the winter, homeowners will sometimes close vents in rooms they don’t use as much in an effort to save money on energy bills. Heating systems and ducts are installed to ensure that maximum efficiency is achieved in heating your home, and closing vents will not create energy savings in your home. In fact, closing too many vents can strain your furnace and damage it. Hot air can build up in your heating unit, causing gaskets to melt or crack your heat exchanger. Once your heat exchanger is damaged, it tends to be more economical to perform a furnace replacement instead of replacing the part.
Bad Habit #3 – Obstructing Vents
Accidentally covering vents with furniture or curtains causes the same problems as purposefully closing vents, but can often be overlooked by homeowners. If you rearrange furniture in the New Year or change the look of your curtains, take a moment to ensure that all your vents are clear of blockages. Not only can you cause damage to your heating system and perhaps require a furnace replacement, you can damage your furniture or curtains by exposing them to continuous hot air.
Harding Heating & Air Conditioning is the Ottawa Region’s most trusted home comfort provider for over 24 years. We look forward to taking care of any of your furnace or air conditioning needs in 2017!
Contact us today for any of your home comfort needs. We are always happy to help!
