When the cold weather hits, you expect your furnace to be ready to provide your entire house the heat you need. Caring for your furnace is the key to not only increasing the lifespan of your furnace, but also finding potential problems that could cause a repair during the season. When your furnace isn't working like it should, you can bet there is an issue with it. Your furnace should last over a decade. Most furnaces last anywhere from 15 to 25 years. Your goal is to extend the life of your furnace so that it runs efficiently while lasting closer to that 25 year mark. Here are some ways you can help achieve this. 

Maintenance Plans

You may want to look into more maintenance plans to ensure it is running efficiently. This will help eliminate some problems you could experience and ensure that your system continues to work like it should. Maintenance plans can end up saving you a lot of money over time. Instead of paying emergency repair charges, your furnace is likely to run much longer without any problems. Additionally, a lot of warranties require that you have an authorized dealer perform routine maintenance on the system and parts in order to keep the warranty valid. Most HVAC services offer several different packages to help you find the one that fits your budget. The older a system is, the more often it will need maintenance performed on it. 

Change Your Filters

One of the easiest ways to stay on top of your furnace's care is by changing out the filters periodically. Experts recommend you do this about every 6 to 8 weeks. You can find the filter between the duct work and the furnace. It traps any dirt and debris, making your home much cleaner. As the filter gets dirtier, the dirt and other particles aren't captured like they were before. Instead, they get blown back into the home where they can cause respiratory and allergy problems for occupants. You can choose between washable filters or disposable filters, depending on your preference. 

Lubricate the Parts

The motor in your furnace is especially important. When the motor doesn't work, you aren't going to get any heat out of your furnace. Lubricating the blower motor can help keep it running optimally so you remain comfortable all winter. You need to make sure you have the right oil for the motor before you apply it. You should get the model and serial number of the unit in order to determine which type of oil your furnace requires.