Your furnace should last at least fifteen years before it needs a major overhaul or replacement. But how do you get it to that fifteen-year mark and beyond? The manufacturers tell you that the warranty is the way to go. Warranties are supposed to cover your HVAC in case of a breakdown, but that coverage only goes so far. What are you supposed to do when you can’t afford to extend the warranty and you’re out of your coverage? There are alternatives to purchasing an extended warranty on your HVAC system . You should know what coverage the manufacturer will automatically include, and how regular upkeep can save you money in the long run! Warranties For Furnaces Most furnaces, like other appliances, will come with a Manufacturer’s warranty . These can vary in length, and can even cover different components of the HVAC system. The part that most consistently comes with its own warranty is the heat exchanger. This large section actually does the heating, so it is the most expensive to ...

Changing the furnace filter in summer strikes a lot of people as pretty weird. It only takes one good heatwave to make people forget that they even have a furnace, let alone one that needs preventative maintenance in the summertime. Tell them to change the filter in July and, seeing as the furnace is the last thing they want to use right now, they’ll just forget about it. The thing is, the way your (HVAC system) operates makes changing your furnace filter in summer a necessary bit of preventative maintenance ! Here’s why you shouldn’t neglect it, even as the heat pushes to 40 degrees. Air Conditioning and the Furnace: Closely Connected The Importance of the Furnace Filter Most HVAC systems have a lot of ductwork, through which both the cool air from your central air conditioning and the heated air coming from your furnace. The ducts also allow your system to exchange air from outside and within your home. Your system is doing a lot of work using the same pathways, which means tha...

A super-high hydro bill is almost as seasonal as swimsuits and winter sweaters. You’ve almost come to expect it, so when the temperature soars outside, you make sure it plunges inside and take the hit when the money’s due. It really doesn’t have to be this way, though, and the small changes you make this summer will guarantee air conditioner savings! Check The Thermostat Location While you might not think twice about where your thermostat is set, it can really make a huge difference in how it reads the temperature of the air in your home. This is because the thermostat registers the temperature around the wall on which it’s placed, not the air in the middle of the room you’re currently sitting in! Rather inconvenient, but here we are. You’ll want the thermostat on a central wall in your home. Keep it away from drafts, doorways that lead to the outdoors, direct sunlight, skylights, and furniture, all of which can influence the temperature around the thermostat These can all activat...