Fall brings cooler weather to Corpus Christi, TX, and the approaching winter months carry the prospect of even lower temperatures ahead. That means that furnace efficiency should become a major concern. Here are three significant factors that impact furnace efficiency and your heating bills:
Maintenance History
HVAC professionals advise everyone to schedule comprehensive professional maintenance for their HVAC systems at least once per year. Whether you’ve reliably remembered to do so will have a significant impact on your furnace’s efficiency, particularly as the system gets older.
Ductwork and Insulation Quality
Damaged ductwork and subpar insulation are two of the leading causes of air leaks, which, in turn, are among the preeminent threats to furnace efficiency. If your ductwork is dirty and in generally poor shape, whether because of abrasion or other sources of disrepair, air will fly out of the holes in your ducts. This means that your furnace will need to expend more energy than before to cool your home by a given amount.
If the walls of your home are poorly insulated, heat will have comparatively more means of escape through radiation. If this happens, it will also force your furnace to work harder and eat up more energy than otherwise needed. We recommend scheduling a home energy audit to see where you can save and a duct cleaning.
Thermostat Settings
Your established habits of thermostat use are another significant contributor to your furnace’s overall efficiency levels. The higher you set your thermostat, the more energy it’ll need to draw upon to bring your home to the level you desire. Therefore, to maximize furnace efficiency, find the lowest temperature you’re comfortable with this fall and stick with it.
Also, try to set your thermostat to not turn on your furnace when you know you won’t need it. Of course, you should buy a programmable thermostat if you don’t already have one, as such a device will calibrate everything with maximal precision.
With a few good habits and responsible actions, you can optimize your furnace efficiency in Corpus Christi, TX, this fall. Call Bodine-Scott Air Conditioning & Plumbing Co. to ask for our heating services and we can push system performance to new heights for you.
Image provided by iStock
