6 Tips for Using Your Lenoir City, TN Furnace More Efficiently
Winter evenings around Lenoir City, TN, get chilly and require effective heating from a furnace to keep your home comfortable. However, without the proper care and attention, your furnace may run inefficiently, digging deeply into your bank account. Consider these six simple tips to use your furnace more efficiently this winter:
Change Your Furnace Filter Regularly
A furnace filter is the first line of defense to keep airborne contaminants out of your heating system. However, as it captures these contaminants, it’ll eventually clog, restricting the air moving through the system. Insufficient airflow causes reduced heating efficiency, increased wear and higher heating bills.
To avoid neglecting your filter, check it every month, and gently vacuum it when you inspect it. The common 1- and 2-inch filters usually need replacing every 30 to 90 days. Larger filters may last several months or longer, depending on their size and construction and your home’s air quality.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
Your system can only work as well as your thermostat, so one that’s aging may reduce your system’s efficiency. Most modern thermostats have an expected lifespan of 10 to 15 years, after which their sensors may degrade. Plan to replace your thermostat within this window to ensure it works effectively.
Further, to improve efficiency, use your thermostat’s programs to reduce your home’s temperature while you’re away. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), you can cut up to 10% of your annual heating costs by leveraging these programs. For better performance with more precise temperature control based on measurable factors, upgrade to a smart thermostat.
Have Your Ducts Cleaned
Your ducts transport the heated air from your furnace to the rooms throughout your home. As it pushes out of the supply vents, it builds air pressure that forces the heat to circulate more evenly. However, your ducts are susceptible to contaminant buildup with contaminants entering through the vents and duct leaks.
The inevitable buildup inhibits the airflow through the system and can prevent the heat from circulating. Insufficient airflow can also trap heat in the furnace, causing it to overheat and trip the high-limit switch.
Periodic professional duct cleaning helps keep your system circulating air properly. In most cases, it’s best to invest in cleaning every three to five years. You may need to have your ductwork cleaned sooner, especially after projects that produce dust, water or smoke.
Open and Clear Your Furnace Vents
In addition to keeping your ducts clean, the vents need to remain clear to allow air to flow from them. Open each supply vent around your home, even in areas you may not use frequently.
Also, ensure that each vent has at least 6 inches of clearance above and around it. Return vents may need more clearance, depending on their size. Check with your maintenance service technician during your next furnace maintenance visit for the proper clearance for your home.
Keep the Circulating Fan on Auto
Your thermostat has two different settings for the circulating fan: On and Auto. When set to On, it’ll run constantly, even when the furnace isn’t running a heating cycle. It’s helpful if your home has hot and cold spots, but since it makes the fan run constantly, it can use excess energy.
Auto, on the other hand, only makes your fan run when the system is actively heating. That way, it circulates the conditioned air and stops when hot air is no longer produced.
Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
Routine furnace maintenance is critical to keeping your system working properly for as long as possible. One of the major goals of maintenance is optimizing the system’s heating efficiency. To do this, a maintenance service technician will:
- Clean the system.
- Inspect the housing and heat exchanger.
- Tighten mounting hardware and electrical connections.
- Test individual components and the heating cycle.
- Conduct safety testing.
Don’t let your system eat into your energy bills for no reason. Instead, use these tips and schedule your annual furnace maintenance with the NATE-certified team at Pol’s Heating and Cooling, LLC.
Image provided by iStock
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