6 Common Ways to Increase Your Furnace Efficiency

Now is the time to ensure that your Palm Desert home stays comfortably warm this winter. Heat is expensive, but you can reduce utility bills with these six time-tested strategies. Read on to learn how you can increase your furnace efficiency.

1. Change Filters Regularly

The U.S. Department of Energy tells us that furnaces with clogged filters consume 15 percent more energy than those with clean filters. A furnace running with a clogged filter is also on the fast track to destruction.

Because dirty filters restrict airflow, your furnace has to overwork to push heated air through the ducts. Over time, this can weaken your furnace so much that it dies prematurely. Before that happens, you might notice skyrocketing electric bills or conclude that your home is no longer comfortable.

2. Get Fall Furnace Maintenance

Seasonal tune-ups can increase HVAC energy efficiency by as much as 40 percent. Proper heating maintenance can also prevent up to 95 percent of breakdowns and furnace repairs.

Most HVAC warranties require regular equipment maintenance to remain valid. Skipping tune-ups can invalidate your warranty and cost you a small fortune if something goes wrong. As an added bonus, a furnace that receives regular tune-ups will last longer than one that does not.

3. Install an Energy-Efficient Thermostat

Today’s cutting-edge thermostats are sophisticated controls designed to interface with home automation systems and the smart grid. Programmable WiFi thermostats and learning thermostats maximize energy efficiency and put a dent into heating costs while you enjoy both warmth and savings.

Programmable devices reduce heating output when no one is home and while you’re asleep. Learning devices observe your behavior with the thermostat. After determining your temperature preferences, these devices can maintain the desired conditions while keeping costs as low as possible.

With a WiFi thermostat, you can remotely control your home’s indoor environment from anywhere. Many devices provide weekly and monthly energy reports, as well as tips to increase energy efficiency even more.

4. Have Ductwork Cleaned and Sealed

Countless homeowners have no idea what’s lurking in their ductwork. Besides dirt, ducts can harbor microbes, dirt, bacteria, dust mites, insect droppings and pollen. Equally important are leaky ducts through which the heat you pay for can vanish.

Energy Star estimates that the average homeowner loses up to 30 percent of heated air through these leaks. Duct cleaning gets rid of the contaminants, and duct sealing closes all the cracks through which your energy dollars might otherwise escape.

5. Consider a New Furnace Installation

Nothing will save you more on heating costs than a furnace upgrade. Today’s units are high-efficiency marvels with efficiencies of up to 98.5 percent. Older furnaces, by contrast, have efficiencies between 56 and 70 percent.

If your utility bills have recently spiked, your furnace may be preparing to bite the dust. This is especially likely if your unit is 15-20 years old, has been poorly maintained and is not keeping you as warm as it used to.

6. Balance Indoor Humidity Levels

Ideal indoor humidity is between 40 and 60 percent. Using a humidifier to maintain a 40 percent humidity level will increase the transfer of heat. Your house will feel warmer during cold weather even though you haven’t raised the thermostat or used additional electricity. Balanced humidity levels can also reduce the incidence of asthmatic attacks and decrease allergic reactions.

At Palm Desert Air Conditioning and Heating Co., we love to help our neighbors save on furnace maintenance. Our coupons can save you up to 50 percent on tune-ups, and our Comfort Club Maintenance Plan can be tailored to meet your needs. A Comfort Club Membership entitles you to these awesome benefits:

• A reminder via an automated phone system or mailed postcard
• Discounts on all repairs
• Discounted diagnostic fees
• Priority service
• Extended equipment lifespan
• Rewards for referrals
• Flat-rate pricing
• Reduced headaches and expenses
• Membership transferability

Visit Palm Desert Heating and Air Conditioning Co. online or call us directly to learn more about our comprehensive heating services. We offer heating installation, repair and maintenance services for homeowners in Palm Desert, CA. Our technicians will set up an appointment that’s convenient for you. We look forward to serving you and your family.