Three Steps for Preparing Your Energy Efficient Furnace for Winter

November 04, 2014

If you’ve invested in an energy efficient furnace, you know the next few months are when it’s going to start paying for itself. These inventive HVAC systems can help decrease the amount of energy or gas needed to heat your home compared to older and less efficient models. With winter drawing nearer here in Heflin, we’ve prepared some helpful steps you can take to ensure your furnace will run efficiently and effectively throughout the season.

1. Schedule a routine maintenance visit before winter weather arrives.

You don’t want to turn on your furnace on the first cold day in Heflin only to discover it’s not working properly. It’s important to have a HVAC technician inspect your equipment, as these individuals have been trained and certified to ensure your HVAC system is safe and working the right way. Keeping your equipment regularly maintained will not only help the furnace operate smoothly, but it will help improve the energy efficiency of your furnace, as well.

2. Check your heat exchanger.

Cracked or improperly functioning heat exchangers mix combustion gases with your home’s air, which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. This inspection is easy – just inspect your furnace’s combustion chamber for cracks. If you smell strange odors coming from the heater after a while, shut it off and call a professional. Your heat exchanger is an important component of creating an energy efficient furnace. When it functions properly, the equipment doesn’t have to work as hard or use as much energy to provide your family with the heat you desire.

3. Change your air filter.

If you haven’t changed your filter in a while, now’s the time. Clean filters may help improve your furnace’s air flow and can contribute to better energy efficiency, as well. Pleated, HEPA and electrostatic filters can also help increase the furnace’s energy efficiency, so consider upgrading if you’re currently using a flat filter. We recommend checking your filter monthly to see whether it needs to be changed.

Follow these steps to create a more energy efficient home this season. Or, if you’re due for a repair, Bain Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc offers a wide range of energy efficient furnaces. We’re happy to help you choose the latest and greatest HVAC systems available in Heflin.