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 innovative HVAC systems can help decrease the amount of energy or gas required to heat your home compared to older and less efficient models. With winter months approaching here in Newark, we’ve prepared some simple 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.

The last thing you want is to turn on your furnace on the first cold day in Newark only to find out it’s not running properly. It’s important to have a professional inspect your system, as these individuals have been trained and certified to ensure your HVAC equipment is safe and working well. Keeping your equipment regularly maintained will not only help the furnace operate smoothly, but it will help enhance the energy efficiency of your furnace, as well.

2. Check your heat exchanger.

Broken or improperly functioning heat exchangers mix combustion gases with clean air, potentially creating problems with carbon monoxide poisoning. Simply check your furnace’s combustion chamber for cracks. If you smell strange odors coming from the heater after a couple minutes, shut it off and call a professional. Your heat exchanger is an important factor in creating an energy efficient furnace. When it’s working 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.

When’s the last time you changed your filter? Now is the time. Clean filters can help improve your furnace’s air flow and may lead to better energy efficiency, as well. Pleated, HEPA and electrostatic filters can also help improve the furnace’s energy efficiency, so consider upgrading if you’re currently using a flat filter. We recommend checking your filter at the end of each month to see whether it needs to be changed.

Use these steps to create a more energy efficient home this winter season. Or, if you’re due for a repair, Luikart Heating & Cooling offers a wide range of energy efficient furnaces. We’re happy to help you find the latest and greatest HVAC systems available in Newark.