5 Simple Rules To Prolonging The Life Of Your Aging Central Electric Heat System

In general, your central heat system should give you a good 15 to 20 years of service as long as you properly maintain it and treat it right. If you have a system you suspect is pretty old or is starting to show some signs that replacement is in the near future, it is definitely time to start saving for your next unit. However, in the meantime, there are a few things you can do to prolong the life of the system you currently have. Check out these easy tips for squeezing out a little more life from your ailing electric central heat system. 

Have the system thoroughly cleaned by a professional. 

Over the years, a central heat system can accumulate a massive amount of dust and debris, from the main housing of the furnace to the ductwork. The problem with all of this dust and debris is, you cannot usually see it and it really can tale a professional to clean it all away. Call up a heating maintenance professional, like A Bailey Plumbing,  and have them come out to give your system a good cleaning. They will go through a great deal of effort to ensure the entire system is free from dust and debris that could be restricting air flow and making the heat system work harder than necessary. 

While you're at it, have the pro test your thermostat. 

If the thermostat that sends control messages to your central heating system is not adequately recording temperatures, it means that the heater could be staying on even when the house is as warm as you would like it to be. Therefore, the heater will be running far more hours than what is absolutely necessary to do its job and this can definitely be hard on a central heat system that already has a lot of age on it. Have the maintenance tech check out your thermostat to ensure it is properly functioning. 

Avoid putting unnecessary stress on the system by dropping the thermostat a few degrees. 

By the time your central heat system is nearing the end of its life, any breaks you can give it will help prolong the life it has left. Therefore, logically, if you can handle a home that is just slightly cooler by a few degrees, it will mean the system will not power on as often. Drop the thermostat by a few degrees if you can handle the slightly cooler temperature, but if not, try adjusting the thermostat only before you go to bed or head out to work in the morning.