Have you recently acquired a new high-efficiency furnace for your home? The heating experts at Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas want to assist you in getting the best results from your new furnace. We specialize in heating, cooling, plumbing, and gas needs in Nanaimo and surrounding areas. That’s why we offer the below furnace tips to ensure the optimal efficiency of your furnace.
Having a furnace operating at optimal efficiency is essential in ensuring it lasts longer, and this will save you a significant amount of money needed in repair and replacements. Furthermore, it helps minimize the soaring of energy bills. Like any other machine, a furnace is susceptible to wear and tear over time; if you take care of it, it will keep you and your family warm for years to come.
Check and Change Furnace Filters
Usually, the furnace filter traps allergens present in the air, such as pollen, pet hair, dust, and dirt. For this reason, it’s advisable to change the dirty filter recommendable between four to five months to ensure your furnace is operating effectively.
A dirty filter causes the furnace to run inefficiently because it clogs the airflow. As a result, the furnace has to work harder, thus consuming more energy to counter the shortcomings in the heating process. This can lead to premature breakdown of the furnace or a skyrocketing of your energy bills, which is the last thing you want from your new furnace.
For instance, having a clogged filter may lead to the heating up of the blower motor and trip safety sensors, which shut down the furnace. Additionally, the clogged filters may force the trapped components further into the furnace until cracks become visible. Failing to change the filter in your furnace can shorten its lifespan substantially, and you want your furnace to be around for the long haul.
Unblock Air Vents and Registers
It’s essential to keep the area near the furnace registers or basement heaters clear because it’s common to have furniture or even heavy curtains blocking the air vents. You should resist the temptation to close the vents since this disrupts the pressure balance within our home.
Many people think that closing the vents saves money on energy bills since heat is going to fewer places in the home. However, to correct the imbalance of pressure that closing the vents creates, your furnace works harder, which ultimately translates to increased energy consumption, increased utility bills and a higher risk of repairs, and inevitably, a furnace breakdown. One of the best ways to take care of a new furnace is to keep the vents open and the registers unblocked.
Program Your Thermostat for Winter
To save a significant amount of money during winter and to give your new furnace a break, you need to set your thermostat at as low of a temperature as possible. In doing so, your furnace, therefore, uses less energy to heat your home.
It’s always recommended to lower your temperature when leaving your house or going on winter vacation, but it should be above 12 degrees Celsius to prevent the pipes from freezing. Having a programmable Wi-Fi or smart thermostat will go a long way in allowing you to improve your energy efficiency at home.
Additionally, the programmable thermostats allow you to program settings for the weekdays, work hours, or when everyone is home. The modern tools offer more customization for your comfort compared to manual thermostats.
Set Ceiling Fans to Clockwise
Even though it may sound odd to have the ceiling fans running during winter, they play an essential role in heat distribution. Usually, heat naturally rises and collects near the ceiling areas; running the ceiling fans on low and clockwise allows the hot air to be pushed across the rooms and floors. In doing so, they help to even out the warmth in the air and will take some of the pressure off your new furnace.
Get Regular Furnace Tune-ups
Last but not least, it’s essential to have your new furnace inspected and fine-tuned every year so that it continues to operate at peak efficiency. Detecting faulty parts in time can save the rest of the system from breakdowns. Your new furnace also has a warranty, and keeping to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule will ensure that you don’t void the warranty.
To fully enjoy your new furnace for years to come, you need to protect it. At Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas, we’re known for quality furnace repair and maintenance services in Nanaimo and surrounding areas. In addition, we provide drain cleaning and backflow protection services. Contact Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas today for more information or to get a quote.
