Three Steps for Preparing Your Energy Efficient Furnace for Winter

November 04, 2014

If you’ve upgraded to an energy efficient furnace, you know winter is when it’s going to start paying for itself. These state-of-the-art HVAC systems can help reduce the amount of energy or gas required to heat your home compared to older and less efficient models. With winter creeping upon us here in Marshalltown, we’ve prepared some essential steps you can take to ensure your furnace will work efficiently and effectively all season.

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

The last thing you want is to turn on your furnace on the first cold day in Marshalltown only to realize it’s not operating properly. It’s important to have a HVAC professional inspect your furnace, as these individuals have been trained and certified to ensure your HVAC system is safe and working the right way. Regularly maintaining your equipment will not only help the equipment operate smoothly, but it will help increase the energy efficiency of your furnace, as well.

2. Check your heat exchanger.

Cracked or improperly functioning heat exchangers mix combustion gases with the air in your home. This leads to safety concerns with carbon monoxide poisoning. Simply check 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 part 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 generate 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 system’s air flow and may lead 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 winter season. Or, if you’re ready for a repair, B & G HVAC offers a wide range of energy efficient furnaces. We’re happy to help you find the latest and greatest HVAC systems available in Marshalltown.