If you’ve invested in an energy efficient furnace, you know the winter months are when it’s going to really pay off. 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 Ballwin and St. Charles, we’ve prepared some helpful steps you can take to ensure your furnace will operate efficiently and effectively all season.
1. Schedule a regular maintenance visit before winter weather arrives.
You don’t want to turn on your furnace on the first cold day in Ballwin and St. Charles only to realize it’s not operating properly. It’s important to have a HVAC technician inspect your system, as these individuals have been trained and certified to ensure your HVAC equipment is safe and working well. Regular service visits 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.
Fractured 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 detect 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 produce the heat you desire.
3. Change your air filter.
It’s a good idea to change your filters regularly, and just before winter hits is a great time. Clean filters may help improve your furnace’s air flow and may lead to better energy efficiency, as well. Pleated, HEPA and electrostatic filters can also help enhance 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 season. Or, if you’re in need of a repair, Air Alliance Team offers a number of energy efficient furnaces. We’re happy to walk you through the latest and greatest HVAC systems available in Ballwin and St. Charles.