According to Murphy's Law, anything that can go wrong, will, and at the worst possible time. When is the worst time of the year for your heating system to need repairing? Dead in the middle of winter when temperatures are below freezing and there's a winter storm shutting down roads. If you have an older heating system that struggles to keep up with demand because you've been avoiding preventative maintenance, it's a good idea to have the heating system repaired and upgraded before Murphy's Law has a say. Here are a few recommendations for you. 

Don't Wait Until the Heating System Completely Fails

It's important to not wait until the heating system fails completely before having a heating contractor arrive to make repairs. Inspection of the entire heating system can be done during preventative maintenance. Then, the heating contractor can determine which parts and components can be repaired before they fail altogether and leave you with a bone-chilling home in the middle of a harsh winter storm. Preventative maintenance is key to keeping your heating system up and running throughout the winter. 

Opt to Install a Dual System to Reduce Wear and Tear

Make any and all repairs as necessary, and also install a supplemental heating system to help reduce the risks of your old heating system breaking entirely, particularly if you aren't financially ready to replace a worn-out heating system, consider the option of installing another heating component for a dual-system. You can install an air-source heat pump to work in conjunction with a furnace. The heat pump can effectively heat your entire home while a fuel-burning furnace can provide supplemental heating when temperatures drop below freezing. The heat pump can use the same ductwork as your current heating system. 

Alternatively, install electric baseboard heaters throughout the home or in select rooms to cut down on the wear and tear of your heating system. Electric baseboard heaters can be adjusted by room, which makes them ideal to use in homes where different family members prefer different temperature settings in their bedrooms and bathrooms. Electric baseboards are affordable to install but expensive to operate. However, when used for supplementing heat, the electric costs will be reasonable and your main heating source won't struggle as hard to get through the coldest days and nights of the winter, which can help reduce risks of the main system failing and leaving your home frigid.