Is Your Home’s Heater Energy Efficient Enough for You?

Keeping warm through an Ohio winter is essential. It’s also expensive. Around 30% of your home’s energy consumption comes from your HVAC system. If your heater is inefficient, it could be even more. How do you know if you have an energy-efficient heater, and how can you make it more efficient? Here are a few tips.

Factors to Consider to Be Energy Efficient

What’s your system’s AFUE? The annual fuel utilization efficiency rating tells you what percentage of energy consumed by your furnace is given off as heat rather than as exhaust. The minimum AFUE rating in the U.S. is 78%, but if you want to save energy, you should get one that’s at least 85%. The high-efficiency heaters go to 97% or higher. They’re more expensive, but they make up for it in energy savings over time.

Next, consider the unit’s age. The older your furnace gets, the less efficient it becomes. If it’s more than about 10 years old, it probably won’t be around much longer. Consider replacing it now with a more efficient model rather than waiting until it fails and leaves you out in the cold.

Finally, look at your energy bills. Are they higher than they were last year around this time? If so, that’s a fairly sure sign that your system is wasting energy and isn’t energy efficient.

What to Do to Get Energy Efficient

The best way to keep your heater at peak efficiency is to schedule your annual tuneup. Your HVAC technician will check the motor, coils, and other components to make sure they’re functioning properly. If something is making the system run less efficiently, the technician can find the issue and address it. If any repairs or adjustments need to be made, they can address them to keep them from turning into more serious problems.

You should also check your air filter regularly, as a clogged filter can block airflow. Seal up any leaks in your ductwork as well to prevent energy loss.

For help making your heater more energy efficient, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We help Lorain, Elyria, and Oberlin homes save energy while staying comfortable.