Hi No matter what the age of your furnace, you can improve energy efficiency by keeping it in good working order. A few simple furnace maintenance tasks will ensure you're getting the most for your energy dollar.
Change or clean your furnace filter When was the last time you changed or cleaned your furnace filter? Failing to check the filter regularly can be costly: dust and dirt can work their way into the blower and coil assemblies, reducing the furnace's operating efficiency and eventually damaging the motor. In fact, heating technician say more than half their service calls are caused by simple dust and dirt clogging up vital motor parts! Most dealers recommended changing disposable filters once a month, or cleaning reusable filters every other month. Clear outdoor exhaust vents During the winter, be sure to clear snow and ice away from the intake and exhaust vents outdoors. If the vents become blocked, dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can back up into the house, and the furnace could shut down. Changing furnace filter Furnace Filters Schedule an annual tune-up An annual checkup by a service technician is also a good idea - especially if you have a natural gas system. The technician will check the flues and temperature settings, examine the heat exchanger for cracks, and check the safety mechanisms. A $50-$100 annual tune-up can reduce your heating costs by five percent - and it's the best prevention against deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. More do-it-yourself maintenance Other easy ways to keep your furnace running efficient include: . Check the owner's manual to see if the blower motor should be lubricated. If you have an older heating unit, you might need to add a drop or two to each oil port. . Replace frayed belts. . Check flues or vents for cracks or blockages. . Check the condensate drain to make sure it is properly attached and flowing freely. Remember to read your owner's manual carefully before doing any maintenance work, and always shut off power at the service panel first. Your furnace and air conditioner will run most efficiently if you know how to use the thermostat effectively. Programmable = energy savings For a great investment in energy savings, install a programmable thermostat. You can program the system to set back the thermostat a few degrees when you leave in the morning, and adjust it again a short while before you come home. With an energy savings of approximately 10 percent - one percent for every degree it's set back over an eight-hour period - a $50 thermostat can pay for itself in just one heating season! Keep the air circulating Set the fan to "on" rather than "auto." The fan will circulate the air throughout the house continuously, while the furnace will cycle on and off just as it usually does. This will help keep temperatures more even throughout the house by reducing temperature stratification. Let the thermostat do its job Can insulation really make a difference in my heating bills? Yes! As much as 15 percent of the energy you pay for escapes from your home through cracks and gaps in the walls and attic. Upgrading your attic insulation to 12 inches can reduce your heating costs by 30 percent. What does R-value mean? R-value is a measure of thermal resistance - how well a material holds back heat. Insulation products are measured in R-value - the higher, the better. For example, a bare concrete foundation has an R-value of 1, while a fully-insulated attic has an R-value of 44. How much insulation should we have in our attic? The general rule for homes in the upper Midwest is 12-15 inches of batt, blanket or loose-fill insulation. The exact answer depends on the size and age of your home, and what kind of insulation you'll be using. You can determine how much insulation your home needs by using the U.S. Department of Energy's ZIP-Code Insulation Calculator.
