If you have a gas furnace, you're probably always looking for ways to make it more efficient and to make it last longer, too. The question is, should you keep an older unit that's working well, or should you replace it with a newer and possibly more energy-efficient model? The answer to that question is usually that as long as the gas furnace you have is doing the job properly, you should not need to replace it. New gas furnaces are certainly cheaper in recent years, but even so, you shouldn't replace them until it's truly time to do so.

It's very important that you perform routine maintenance on your gas furnace. For one thing, change furnace filters often, at least every other month if you have a combination heating/air-conditioning system. If your system only heats and doesn't cool, it's enough to replace the filter you've been using in the winter with a new one in the spring once you turn the furnace off. It's best to do this in the spring (even though you're not going to be using your gas furnace during warm months), because you could forget to replace it in the winter, and that could lead to problems.

Make sure you check the vents in the floors and along the baseboards (where heat comes out) on a regular basis, too. The ductwork should be kept clear of debris and you should vacuum grates when you vacuum floors, every time. Once a year, you should have a professional come in to clean up the ductwork and get rid of debris, dust, cobwebs and anything else that may have collected in the ductwork and that could make your furnace less efficient.

In many cases using common sense can prevent having someone come out and repair your gas furnace. Every time you open the unit to change filters check the rest of the furnace as well. Before you go poking around turn off the gas and any electrical components first. Bring a vacuum and suck out where you can and check the belts to make sure they are tight. A worn or loose belt can dramatically reduce a furnace's out put. You will want to vacuum any vents on the outside of the unit as well.

As you do your inspection, use your nose; do you smell gas? If so, you have a leak that should be professionally repaired by a professional immediately. If you think you smell gas but you're not sure, you can spray soapy water on places like connectors, junctions, and other places a leak might occur. If the water starts bubbling where you spray the soapy water, you may have a leak.

You should also do things like check the pilot light for any buildup, make sure the thermostat is working right, and oil the motor and other moving parts on a regular basis. Check your owner's manual for those things you can do on your own. If you're not sure or you know you can't do something on your own, consult a professional; it's always better to be safe than sorry.

There are other things you can do to make your gas furnace more efficient, too. One thing is to walk through the house and make sure you don't have any drafty places that could be sealed up. Doors, windows, and improperly insulated places can let heat escape and make your furnace work harder than it should have to. Taking care of these drafts by sealing them up will improve how your house feels without making your gas furnace work harder.

If you can't afford these repairs yourself, rest assured that you can probably get help from the government through state, local or even federal agencies.

Many of these agencies pay for energy audits, wherein a professional will come in and assess your needs and then recommend what you need to do to take care of things. These agencies can help you with costs such as weather stripping and can also partially reimburse you for things like energy efficient windows, among other cost-saving and energy saving measures.

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Article Submitted By: Terry Lamb
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