Energy
Efficiency Tips: Inspecting Your Furnace
Your heating system has worked hard to keep you warm all winter. Now with spring
arriving this week it is a great time to be sure it’s ready to do the same
next year, since a little attention to your heating equipment can produce big
savings in the long run. The following tasks are the most important.
Clean or replace
your furnace or heat pump filter. All central heating equipment should have a
filter installed in the return air duct to clean air as it is drawn in from the
home. A dirty filter will reduce the airflow through your equipment, and lower
its efficiency. It’s hard to say how often to replace your filter, since it
varies a lot from home to home, but two to three times per year is typical for
most families. For those with a heat pump or central air unit that works year
round, a good reminder is to check it each month when you receive your electric
bill.
Inspect your
duct system for leaks by looking for gaps or feeling for escaping air. Your HVAC
system uses a lot of energy to heat and cool your home’s air, and duct leaks
can waste up to 30 percent of this energy before it ever reaches your living
space. If you find disconnected ducts or loose joints, seal them up with metal
duct tape or with duct mastic. Avoid common gray fabric “duct tape” since it
tends to come loose.
Clean your
supply grilles or registers. If your registers have adjustable shutters, it’s
best to leave them in the full-open position. Clean inside your ducts, too, for
as far as you can reach from the register opening. When more air can flow
through your system, it will operate more efficiently and it won’t need to run
as long. This will save both energy and money.