Three Steps for Preparing Your Energy Efficient Furnace for Winter

November 04, 2014

If you’ve upgraded to an energy efficient furnace, you know the next few months are when it’s going to show its return on investement. These innovative HVAC systems can help cut back the amount of energy or gas used to heat your home compared to older and less efficient models. With winter drawing nearer here in Savage, we’ve prepared some simple steps you can take to ensure your furnace will run efficiently and effectively all season.

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 Savage only to realize it’s not operating properly. It’s important to have a HVAC 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.

Cracked 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 detect strange odors coming from the heater after a period of time, shut it off and call a professional. Your heat exchanger is an important component of 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.

If you haven’t changed your filter in a while, now’s the time. Clean filters may help improve your system’s air flow and can contribute 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 monthly to see whether it needs to be changed.

Use these steps to create a more energy efficient home this winter. Or, if you’re due for a repair, Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning offers a variety of energy efficient furnaces. We’re happy to walk you through the latest and greatest HVAC systems available in Savage.