energy Savings Tips: 
Heating Your Home More efficiently

    In a typical home, heating and cooling account for more than half of the home’s energy use, making it the largest energy expense for most households. Today’s high efficiency furnaces operate more efficiently and reach higher energy savings while using less energy than older equipment. 

    If your heating equipment is more than 12 years old consider replacing it -- before it breaks down -- to save money on utility bills, allow time for price research, and ensure your family’s comfort.

    However, you can achieve significant energy savings on your heating bills with your current system by properly maintaining your equipment. The easiest and most inexpensive way is to regularly change your furnace filter


    When replacing your heating system, you’ll see more energy savings and benefit when you:

    * Always select ENERGY STAR qualified equipment. Although upfront costs can be higher, the long-term savings difference is regained with lower energy usage plus the Your Energy SavingsSM rebates. ENERGY STAR furnaces are the most efficient models on the market when accompanied with a high MERV rated furnace filter.

    * The EnergyGuide label with a high AFUE rating.  The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE, rating measures the overall energy performance of a furnace or boiler.  An AFUE of 92% means that 92 percent of your energy dollar becomes heat for your home and the remaining 8 percent escapes up the chimney and elsewhere. The higher the AFUE, the more heat you get for your energy savings your achieve.

    * Install a programmable thermostat.  You can save energy heating your home by turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 percent for 8 hours or more.  A programmable thermostat automatically sets the temperature according to a pre-set schedule.  When shopping for a programmable thermostat, look for the ENERGY STAR label and select a model that offers a manual override option that allows you to adjust the settings without affecting the rest of the pre-set programming.

    * A high efficiency gas furnace with an Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM).  Furnaces with an ECM motor use less electricity because it adjusts its speed to ensure optimal airflow at all times.  Traditional furnace motors run at only one speed – high.

    * Purchase high efficiency.  Purchase the highest efficiency furnace that you can afford.  For optimum energy savings, select a model with an AFUE rating of 92% or higher.

    * Size it right. Purchase the proper size furnace for your home and use a high MERV quality furnace filter.  An undersized furnace will not heat your home properly, and an oversized furnace will cost more to purchase and to operate. Check with your contractor to find the right size furnace for your home. Don’t assume the new unit should be exactly the same as your existing unit, which may not have been properly sized in the first place.

    * Proper installation is critical. Improper installation can lower efficiency by up to 30 percent, increase utility bills and possibly reduce the life of the equipment. Lost energy savings can occure very quickly with poor installation.


    A well-maintained heating system will run more efficiently and help to increase your energy savings. To keep your heating system in proper working condition, consider having your furnace inspected annually, ideally before the heating season begins.

    If you have a forced air heating system, here are some tasks you may be able to perform yourself.

    * Change your furnace filter on a regular schedule. Filters reduce the amount of dust and dirt that flow through your ductwork and into your home.

    * Use a high quality MERV furnace filters to capture the airborne irritants floating in your home. Besides energy savings, this keeps your family healthy.

    * Check your furnace for dust and lint.  Remove the dust and lint from the burner compartment at least once a year.

    * Check the chimney for obstructions. Make sure your chimney is not blocked by debris such as bird nests, leaves, loose mortar or dirt.

    * Inspect flue pipes. Also inspect the flue pipes from the heating system and water heater to make sure they are free of rust and are tightly sealed.

    * Check your ductwork. Check for air leaks, especially at joints. Seal off air leaks with foil faced tape rather than duct tape.
 

Use less energy and save money heating your home by following these tips:

    * Dial down your thermostat – for each degree you set your thermostat below 72°F reduces your heating costs by approximately 3 percent.  Dress appropriately for the weather and on cold winter nights, put an extra blanket on the bed and lower your thermostat another degree or two to save even more.

    * Check heat vents and registers to ensure drapes and furniture do not block airflow.

    * Use insulated drapes or other window coverings to help reduce drafts and keep the warm air inside.

    * Minimize the number of times that doors to the outside are opened and closed.  Every time an outside door opens, warm air rushes out and cold air moves in.

    * Use ceiling fans set at a slow speed with the blades counter-clockwise (upward) to push warm air away from the ceiling and move it around the room without creating a chilly breeze. 



    These are worst case scenarios but consider the small factors that eat away at your wallet. A dirty air filter that is ignored or forgotten can reduce the efficiency of your system.  

    Theoretically, if your home air filters cause your system to lose 20% of its efficiency, it’s safe to assume that your energy costs will be influenced just as significantly. With today’s home comfort bills exceeding several hundred dollars a month, there are considerable sums of your cash at risk.
 
Every home is different and costs are influenced greatly by the lifestyle of the residents. But keeping your home comfort system running at peak efficiency can only be achieved when you properly maintain your furnace filters.
 
    The Furnace Filters Made Easy program helps you to remember when it is time to change your filter.

When you enroll in this simple program your home air filters are delivered to your home when you need them. All you need to do is change the old dirty filter with the new one. You’ll never forget to change your filter again so your system will work closer to maximum efficiency all the time.

Click on Phil the Filter Guy below to start saving money and energy...