Three Steps for Preparing Your Energy Efficient Furnace for Winter

November 04, 2014

If you’ve invested in an energy efficient furnace, you know winter is when it’s going to start paying for itself. These innovative HVAC systems can help cut back the amount of energy or gas required to heat your home compared to older and less efficient models. With winter creeping upon us here in Moline, we’ve prepared some helpful steps you can take to ensure your furnace will operate efficiently and effectively until warm weather arrives again.

1. Schedule a routine maintenance visit before winter weather arrives.

The last thing you want is to turn on your furnace on the first cold day in Moline only to discover it’s not running properly. It’s important to have a HVAC professional inspect your equipment, as these individuals have been trained and certified to ensure your HVAC system is safe and working correctly. Keeping your equipment regularly maintained will not only help the equipment operate smoothly, but it will help increase the energy efficiency of your furnace, as well.

2. Check your heat exchanger.

Fractured or improperly functioning heat exchangers mix combustion gases with clean air, potentially creating problems with carbon monoxide poisoning. Simply check your furnace’s combustion chamber for cracks. If you detect strange odors coming from the heater after a while, shut it off and call a professional. Your heat exchanger is an important component of creating an energy efficient furnace. When it functions properly, the equipment doesn’t have to work as hard or use as much energy to produce the heat you desire.

3. Change your air filter.

It’s a good idea to change your filters regularly, and just before winter hits is a great time. Clean filters may help improve your furnace’s air flow and could lead to better energy efficiency, as well. Pleated, HEPA and electrostatic filters can also help improve the furnace’s energy efficiency, so consider upgrading if you’re currently using a flat filter. We recommend checking your filter monthly to see whether it needs to be changed.

Follow these steps to create a more energy efficient home this season. Or, if you’re ready for a repair, J.L. Brady Company LLC offers a number of energy efficient furnaces. We’re happy to walk you through the latest and greatest HVAC systems available in Moline.