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With winter right around the corner, it is the most important time of the year to ensure your furnace is running properly. The last thing anyone wants to deal with during the freezing winter months is to have a faulty furnace. Even if your furnace is working properly, it may not be the most efficient, which can lead to decreased comfort and high energy bills.

In recent years, advances in heating and energy technologies have made newer furnace models more efficient than their older counterparts. Here are four ways to ensure your furnace is running as efficiently as possible.

1. Use a Smart Thermostat

Regulating the temperature inside your home can be tricky. Different rooms often require different temperatures in order to stay consistently warm throughout the entire house. A smart or programmable thermostat gives you the ability to regulate the temperature of every room in your home.

By regulating the temperature of different rooms throughout your home, you can ensure your furnace only works as hard as it has to during the winter.

2. Clean Your Air Vents

Debris buildup in your air vents could cause serious long-term problems. A dirty or debris-filled air vent could slowdown efficiency, create unhealthy breathing air, or even cause a fire. Additionally, the presence of germs, dust, and other contaminants can lead to poor indoor air quality, posing a number of health and safety risks to you and your family.

By having a professional HVAC technician perform thorough air duct cleaning services, you would not only save time and mone, but also protect yourself and your loved ones. If you are noticing your furnace running inefficiently, it could be caused by dirty air vents.

3. Replace Air Filters

When your furnace’s air filters become clogged with dust and debris, it could cause many problems for your heating and AC systems. Regularly replacing your air filters is an important part of HVAC maintenance.

If your furnace filters are dirty during a heating cycle, they will restrict airflow, meaning your furnace will have a harder time pulling from your indoor air supply. Severely clogged air filters can significantly reduce the effectiveness of your HVAC system and cause it to work overtime to produce the same output.

Contact a heating and cooling professional to have your air filters replaced and ensure your furnace is running at peak efficiency.

4. Schedule Routine Maintenance

The best way to find out if your heating system is running at peak efficiency is to have routine furnace maintenance performed on your heating and cooling system. Receiving maintenance on your HVAC system ensures the system is taken care of and always ready to use.

A professional HVAC technician will inspect and diagnose any issues, as well as replace any problematic parts that may be causing your furnace to run inefficiently. Many problems with a heating system are not visible to the untrained eye, which is why having an experienced technician look at your system is important to ensure that it always runs smoothly.

Differences in Furnace Inefficiency

If you’re encountering issues with your furnace, yet your HVAC expert finds no problems, the cause might be an under-efficient furnace. Here are some useful tips when determining your furnace’s efficiency:

• Older Models and Efficiency: Older furnace models often sport lower efficiency, potentially contributing to problems linked to inefficiency.
• Standard Efficiency Specification: A standard-efficiency furnace boasts an 80 percent Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), meaning 20 percent of generated energy escapes as exhaust.
• Higher-Efficiency Alternatives: Unlike the standard furnace, higher-efficiency models hit over 90 percent AFUE, curbing energy wastage.
• Efficiency vs. Suitability: Higher efficiency doesn’t automatically mean the best fit. Roughly 80 percent of furnaces employ open combustion with natural gas.
• Sealed Combustion and Efficiency: Over 90 percent of furnaces opt for sealed combustion. This can influence compatibility with distinct home styles.
• Home Compatibility: Lower-efficiency furnaces may jive better with various home styles, particularly those equipped with vented spaces.
• Challenges of High-Efficiency Installation: Installing high-efficiency furnaces in ventless homes poses challenges. HVAC professionals must devise combustion air pathways, spiking installation expenses.
• Cost Considerations: High-efficiency unit installations in ventless homes can lead to notably higher costs. Modifications drive up expenses.

How To Know Which Furnace Option Is Right For You

A professional and knowledgeable HVAC technician can inspect your furnace to ensure it is running at peak efficiency. We will ensure you have the proper model for your home and that everything is running the way it should.

Our team can help you assess what route to take. If you are looking for a new furnace, we can help you select one and promptly install it on your behalf. If you need quick repairs, we can help you there too. No matter what, whether you need a furnace installation or repair, we will ensure your safety and comfort.

When you contact our experienced and friendly professionals at Home Comfort Experts, we will perform our signature and in-depth furnace maintenance and safety inspection. This in-depth inspection goes further than any competitor to ensure every single part of your system is thoroughly inspected and serviced.

Ask about joining the Comfort Club, Home Comfort Expert’s exclusive membership that guarantees appointments and provides valuable free services and discounts on repairs.

Contact us today to speak to our heating and cooling professionals and learn about the ways we can help you. We serve Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan from our 12 locations.