Knowing how your home heating systems converge to enhance efficiency can go a long way towards improving the overall efficiency of your home and reducing your energy bills in the process, which is of primary importance for the majority of Calgary homeowners. Most heating systems have three primary components: the thermostat, the furnace, and the ductwork. Each component can be optimized to produce savings.
The thermostat
The thermostat’s temperature will determine your savings potential, and you can ensure savings by setting the thermostat back a few degrees at night and during the day, when the home is unoccupied. Installing a programmable thermostat will help to lock in savings, because a programmable device allows you to preset energy-saving temperatures. And you won’t have to remember to do so every day.
The furnace
The single most important factor that determines furnace efficiency is regular maintenance. It’s critical to have your system inspected and cleaned prior to each heating season – and regularly changing your furnace’s filter is part of an effective maintenance plan. These actions will keep your system free of buildup, which can negatively impact its efficiency potential.
Choosing a high-efficiency system can also lead to major savings, of particular importance due to Alberta’s long, harsh winter. High-efficiency furnaces begin at Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings of 90 percent. The higher the rating, the higher savings you can realize. And most experts agree that homeowners who live in cold regions and use higher-efficiency systems can realize savings that will offset the investment in such a system.
The ductwork
To ensure the efficient distribution of warmed air, it’s essential that your ductwork doesn’t leak conditioned air. Over time, duct connections and their seal can loosen, which leads to major energy losses up to 35 percent. Additionally, the ductwork’s capacity to operate without losses is dependent upon its design. If you have significant comfort issues, you’ll most likely benefit from evaluating and upgrading its design.
Know that you understand your home heating systems, use these tips to improve energy savings. The experts at Arpi’s Industries are happy to help. Call us anytime.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heating systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy efficiency image via Shutterstock
