One of the downsides often associated with owning things is that you must also take care of those things through regular cleaning and maintenance. The furnace you use to heat your home is no exception. Regular furnace maintenance can prolong the life of your system and make it less likely to face issues in the dead of winter.
How Do I Know My Furnace Is Heating Efficiently?
A furnace’s efficiency is measured by its AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating. Mandated by the Federal Trade Commission, new furnaces display their AFUE so you can easily compare efficiencies among models.
Simply put, AFUE measures the percentage of fuel energy that gets converted into heat for your home. An AFUE of 90% implies that 90% of the energy is utilized as heat, with the remaining 10% being lost, mostly through chimneys.
All-electric furnaces tend to be between 95-100%. However, despite their high efficiency, the high cost of electricity can make them uneconomic choices.
- Older heating systems that are less efficient by modern standards tend to score between 56% and 70% AFUE.
- Mid-range efficient systems (between 80-83% AFUE) tend to have electronic ignition and exhaust fan to control the flow of combustion air and gasses more precisely.
- High-efficiency heating systems have 90-98.5% AFUE and tend to have condensing flue gasses in a second heat exchanger for even more efficiency.
When Should You Schedule Your Furnace Maintenance?
The best time to schedule furnace repair or maintenance is typically in the early spring or fall. Early fall is ideal so you can find any issues well before you need your furnace to heat your home. If you require furnace repair, it’s a good idea to schedule your maintenance during a time of year when you’re not reliant on your system.
What Does a Furnace Tune-Up Involve?
A home heating specialist will go through several steps as part of your annual tune-up, including:
- Thermostat Check: Ensuring you have optimal thermostat settings can save you both money and energy.
- Electrical Connections: Secure connections can prolong component life and ensure safe system operation.
- Lubrication: Properly lubricating moving parts can prevent friction, which can reduce efficiency.
- Gas or Oil Connections, Pressure, and Combustion: Ensuring safe and efficient operation by checking these components is crucial. A bad connection could be a fire hazard, and any issue may cause the furnace to operate less efficiently or pose a risk.
Don’t forget your role: Regularly inspect and maintain your air filters—about once a month—and replace or clean them as necessary. This simple act can lower energy costs and prevent premature system failure. A dirty or damaged air filter can affect your energy costs and potentially lead to early failure of your system.
Express C.O.D Has the Best COD Home Heating Oil Prices
Since 1956, Tragar Home Services has been the trusted choice for HVAC services on Long Island, including furnace maintenance. At Express C.O.D, we pride ourselves on offering top-notch heating oil prices and unparalleled customer service. Contact us to learn more or start scheduling your C.O.D. oil delivery.
