As winter approaches here in the Edwardsville area, your heating system will become a very important part of your home. It’s important that you ensure that it’s in the best working condition possible.
There are three main parts of your home’s heating system. They are:
- Heat Source. Furnace, boiler, heat pump, etc.
- Ductwork. Ductwork distributes warm air from your heat source to your home.
- Thermostat. You control the settings of your system through the thermostat.
In order to maximize heating efficiency in your home, you try to improve all three areas of your heating system.
Improving the Efficiency of Your Heat Source
The average home’s heating source is about 60 percent efficient. To increase the efficiency of your heating source, consider the following.
- Get Precision-Tuneups on your furnace annually. Having a professional adjust/clean your system ensures that any energy-reducing problems will be corrected.
- Replace air filters. Dirty filters will reduce air flow, forcing your system to work harder. Change your filters monthly.
- Consider high-efficiency systems. Some systems convert fuel into energy at a rate of 98 percent. By upgrading systems, you can save a lot of money.
Improving the Efficiency of Your Ductwork
Faulty/leaky ductwork causes a big reduction in your system’s efficiency. Consider the following to improve the condition of your ductwork:
- Repair poorly sealed connections. If ductwork comes loose, a huge amount of heat can be lost. Encure that all ductwork is connected.
- Seal air leaks. Air that escapes from leaks reduces the efficiency of your system. Whether you have a professional do it, or you do it yourself, sealing leaks will significantly improve your system’s efficiency.
Improving the Efficiency of Your Thermostat
Mismanagement of the thermostat is another area where homeowners lose energy. The more efficiently you use it, the more energy you will save.
- Turn down the temperature. By reducing the temperature just a couple of degrees, you can improve the efficiency of your system significantly.
- Get a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat will automatically adjust the temperature in the home depending on if you are home or not to save energy. This schedule can be adjusted to fit your lifestyle.
For more information on improving the efficiency of your heating system, contact the experts at Ernst Heating & Cooling.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about household heating and other HVAC topics, visit our blog.
Ernst Heating & Cooling services Hamel, Illinois and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
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