6 Ways to Increase Furnace Efficiency
Furnace efficiency, helping your furnace last longer, and saving money all go hand in hand. Like any other machine or system, your furnace is subject to wear and tear, and the less you run it the longer it will last. If your furnace lasts longer, you won’t have to replace it as often.
Here are 6 simple tips to increase furnace efficiency. For tips on how to increase air conditioning efficiency, click here.
1. Make Sure the Filter is Clean
The purpose of the furnace filter is to prevent dust and debris from clogging your furnace. When the filter has been in place for a while, your furnace has to work harder to pull air through the densely packed filter. How often you clean, whether or not you have pets, and recent renovations can all make a difference in how often the filter needs to be cleaned, so a good rule of thumb is to check the filter monthly for debris. If you can see hair and dust on the surface, then replace the filter or wash it if it’s reusable.
2. Use a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats are one of the best ways of reducing your monthly bill, and they often pay for themselves in one year. They also reduce wear and tear on your furnace. A simple 5-day/2-day programmable thermostat is not expensive, and it will allow you to set up a schedule for weekdays and weekends that will lower the temperature when you’re away from home. You should also close the vents in unused spaces and turn the thermostat down when you plan on being away for more than one day.
3. Make Sure Vents are Open and Free of Debris
A furnace needs to be able to freely circulate air around your home to run efficiently. Make sure none of your vents are blocked by furniture or have trapped dust in the cover. Be careful when purchasing decorative vents; they might look great, but they can restrict as much as 50% of the air flow making your furnace work harder to heat your home.
4. Keep the Area Around the Furnace Clear
Most furnaces are kept in the basement, where we also love to store extra belongings. It’s important to keep a three to five-foot area around your furnace completely clear of stored items. This is not only a safety issue because there is burning gas in the furnace, but it helps the furnace run smoother as the air can circulate freely.
5. Utilize Curtains and Blinds
Strategically using your curtains can make a noticeable difference in your energy bill. Opening them in the day on south or west-facing windows allows warm sunlight to enter and heat the inside of your home, just like with a car left in a parking lot.
6. Get Regular Furnace Tune-Ups
Furnace manufacturers strongly recommend that you have your furnace inspected and tuned up every year to ensure it is running at peak efficiency. One faulty part can place strain on the rest of the system and can lead to sudden breakdowns. A professional HVAC expert may also tell you whether or not your furnace needs to be cleaned to run more efficiently. Click here to see what you can expect from a furnace tune-up.
If you are near us in Aurora or anywhere throughout the Denver Metro Area, we would be happy to help you make sure your furnace is running efficiently and give your furnace a tune-up. Contact Grand Home Services today.
8 Ways to Increase Air Conditioning Efficiency
According to the Department of Energy, over half of your energy expenses go towards your air conditioner and furnace. Improving your HVAC’s efficiency will not only save you money on your monthly bill, but you will save money in the long run by extending the life of your system.
Here are 8 ways you can increase your air conditioner’s efficiency. Make sure to contact a professional if you think your air conditioner is not running at peak performance. Click here for 6 ways to increase your furnace efficiency.
1. Change and Clean your Air Conditioner Filter
Check air filters to ensure they are clean as dirty filters slow air circulation. If dirty, first try cleaning filters, and make sure to replace your filter at least once per pear and clean the filter on a monthly basis.
2. Program your Thermostat
Programming your thermostat to different temperatures for different times of day is key to increasing your air conditioning efficiency. If your home is empty every weekday for a certain number of hours, program your thermostat to let your house be a bit warmer and cool off before you get home. Don’t forget to adjust your thermostat for vacations as well!
3. Don’t Cover your Vents
If there is a room like a guest room that is mostly unused, these vents should be covered to push the air to the rest of the home. Otherwise you should keep items like blinds and furniture away from blocking the vents to help maintain steady airflow from your system. Vents are often placed underneath windows, and if that window is covered by a curtain, the air gets blown near the hot window and doesn’t cool the room. Try using a deflector to help your AC unit cool your home.
4. Keep the Space Around the Outdoor Condenser Unit Clean
Make sure your outdoor air conditioner condenser is free of debris and dirt. These can get lodged in the unit and prevent it from running properly. Also, ensure all plants are trimmed back for your unit to operate properly.
5. Keep Heat Away from your Thermostat
It’s very important to keep things away from your thermostat that create heat. Having a lamp near your thermostat will make it kick your air conditioner on far more than necessary.
6. Check the Temperature Outside
Before you set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature, make sure you check the weather outside to see if it’s cooler. Especially here in Colorado, it is very sunny making your home hot and making you think it’s even hotter outside, but sometimes it’s actually cooler. Check the weather before you go to bed as well!
7. Close Blinds and Curtains
The windows that are in the late afternoon sun bring in the most heat. Covering those windows with blinds and curtains will help keep your home cool and give your air conditioner a break.
8. Contact a Professional
If you have not had an air conditioning tune-up in a while or you think your unit could be more efficient, make sure to contact a professional. From a leak in the ductwork to a simple system cleaning, a professional will make sure your unit is running efficiently and save you money on your monthly electric bill. Air conditioner manufacturers recommend having the system serviced yearly before the first use in Spring.
If you are near us in Aurora or live throughout the Denver Metro Area, Grand Home Services would be happy to help you with your air conditioner efficiency. Contact us today.
