Isn’t it Murphy’s Law that whenever the first blast of cold weather hits, your furnace starts acting up? If your furnace is ten years or older, replacing it should be in the back of your mind.
Here are some must knows about your furnace that will save you some money in the long run.
- 1. Annually, have your furnace inspected to make sure it is operating at peak efficiency.
2. Air filters remove dust and allergens from the air inside your home, they also help to stop dirt and dust from entering your equipment. You will want to change your furnace filter about every 3 months or as specified on the filter to ensure optimal functionality. If you have pets, you may want to change it more frequently. As a note, air filters are categorized according to Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values (MERV) rating. Filters with a MERV between 7 and 12 are considered good quality.
3. If you do need an immediate repair, its important to know some rebates that are in place! Ontario Hydro companies often offer incentives/rebates for upgrading to more energy efficient furnaces.
4. The latest “smart” thermostats allow you to remotely change the temperature in your home. This technology learns your daily habits and adjusts accordingly. It can even reduce the temperature in parts of your home that aren’t frequently used. This leaves you a lot more cash in your pocket at the end of the month.
5. Consider upgrading your motor! Your single stage blower operates at full capacity at all times whereas an Electronically Commutated Motor has two stages, only kicking in the second stage on the coldest days. Although they are more costly initially, it equates to long term savings on energy consumption.
6. Size does matter on this one! Carefully consider the size of your home, additions and renovations and any energy efficient upgrades that have been made over the years as this will impact the size of furnace you’ll need. You will wait to get a trained HVAC technician to properly size the unit for your home.
7. Before buying, check the equipment’s Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient your furnace is!
Use these tips to ensure your furnace is running at optimal efficiency at all times!
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