Winter isn’t quite gone yet. How’s your furnace holding up from the repeated usage? Commercial furnace repair is one of the most requested services during the colder seasons, seeing millions of dollars in maintenance, repair, consultation and installation on a yearly basis. Taking care of your furnace, even in small ways, can go a long way in improving its performance and extending its lifespan.
Energy Usage
Did you know nearly 42% of energy consumption goes to just heating your home? As a result many Americans seek out the most energy-efficient ways of maintaining their house’s temperature, trying to cultivate a happy balance between a warm home and a happy wallet. Having routine maintenance tune-ups have been proven to increase the efficiency of your system an upwards of 25%, perfect for those not interested in a brand new installation but still want to reap the benefits of a check-up.
Airborne Allergens
From furnace repair to improving the quality of your HVAC system, a little truly goes a long way. Alongside maintaining temperature the function of these systems are to keep the air in your home clean and circulating properly — studies have shown a six room house can collect an average of 40 pounds of dust every single year. That’s not even taking into account pollen, dander, smoke and additional particles leftover from the outside!
Installation Tips
There are times to dip into furnace repair and other times to head straight for a new installation. Installation insulation is often the best way to reduce energy waste, for example — without adequate attic insulation it’s been found as much as 20% of the each dollar spent on your home heating will go straight to the roof. Nobody wants to waste their hard-earned money! Some HVAC experts say up to 75% of no-heat calls in the winter are just due to a lack of maintenance, to boot, and can suddenly leave your furnace in disrepair.
Furnace Repair
Your furnace is one of the best parts of the cold season, warming you up after a long day and filling the house with good cheer. Although both older furnaces and boiler systems had efficiency ratings ranging from 56% to 70%, modern conventional heating has been found to exceed 98% — this is useful for converting nearly all the fuel, instead of just some, into useful heat for your home.
Age Requirements
Keep a close eye on the age of your system and you’ll be better off in the long run. You may need to replace your home’s heating system entirely if it’s over 12 years old — additional factors that may warrant an installation rather than a tune-up are constant on and off cycles, high energy consumption and the emitting of strange noises. You can check with the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratings (shortened to AFUE) to see how well your unit is converting energy on a frequent basis. The average minimum rating for furnaces on the market today is 80%, though this can be higher depending on your preferences.
Upgrading, Installation And Repair Services
Which one is right for you? It’s time to look at your daily or weekly usage and find out. Turning your thermostat back can save you up to 1% for each degree you set back — if you leave it on for eight hours, for example, set it back by 10 degrees when you leave work. This will add up to 10% off of your heating or cooling bill. When it comes to furnaces, it’s wise to replace them if they’ve become too old. Furnaces with AFUE ratings between 90% and 95% are widely considered high efficiency and can save you significant money over time. Ready to stay warm and financially stable this winter?
