If you have an energy efficient furnace, you know the winter months are when it’s going to start paying for itself. These inventive HVAC systems can help decrease the amount of energy or gas used to heat your home compared to older and less efficient models. With winter creeping upon us here in Portland, we’ve prepared some essential steps you can take to ensure your furnace will run efficiently and effectively until warm weather arrives again.
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 Portland only to find out it’s not working properly. It’s important to have a professional inspect your furnace, as these individuals have been trained and certified to ensure your HVAC equipment is safe and working the right way. Regularly maintaining your equipment will not only help the furnace operate smoothly, but it will help increase the energy efficiency of your furnace, as well.
2. Check your heat exchanger.
Fractured 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 couple minutes, 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 produce 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 system’s air flow and could 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.
Use these steps to create a more energy efficient home this season. Or, if you’re in need of a repair, Three Rivers Heating & Cooling offers a variety of energy efficient furnaces. We’re happy to walk you through the latest and greatest HVAC systems available in Portland.